After the failed US incursion into Mogadishu, Somalia has been left for dead by the International community, and there has essentially been anarchy in the country.
Somaliland is considered a de facto country with a functioning government, its own currency, postage, passports, borders, army and most other things that make a country a country. However, it lacks international recognition and surely lacks international investment to kick start a dismal economy. Somaliland is open to adventurous visitors if they obtain a visa in advance from one of two liaison offices in the world; either in Addis Ababa or in London.
Puntland to the contrary, is extremely dangerous and should be avoided. Besides having no actual sights to see or things to do, Puntland is lawless and seems to be a haven for both pirates and terrorists. Getting there is virtually impossible for foreigners overland to my knowledge and the flights are scarce. However, it is serviced by a few airlines, generally on stopovers or turnaround flights much like its southern overlord, Somalia.
Somalia proper hosts the infamous capital of Mogadishu and is probably the most dangerous place on Earth. There is absolutely no law and order and it is a known haven for terrorists including Al Qaeda. To put it into perspective, the UN headquarters at the Mogadishu airport was even recently bombed.
The only realistic way to visit, and by visit I mean stop off in the airport or actually the tarmac is by turnaround or stopover flight which is how most travelers and all that I know have visited the Mog. Getting accurate and reliable information on these airlines is nearly impossible. Believe me it is excessively difficult to coordinate a stop in the Mogadishu airport because these airlines shut down without notice permanently or otherwise; there is no set schedule; cancellations are the norm not the exception; and it is nearly impossible to book any type of flight, turnaround or stop, from outside of the horn.
