Berbera is connected to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, by a tarmac road that takes around two to three hours by shared taxi or private car. The road is decent and the journey straightforward — this is Somaliland, not southern Somalia, and road travel in this part of the country is generally safe and manageable.
Berbera Airport receives occasional regional flights and has a runway long enough to handle large aircraft — the runway was built during the Cold War when Berbera served briefly as a Soviet naval base, and was later used by American forces. Check current schedules with Somaliland-based operators or Ethiopian Airlines for any direct connections from Addis Ababa.
Entry to Somaliland requires a separate visa from Somalia. Most visitors obtain one on arrival at Berbera Airport or at the land border crossing, though the situation can change; check with Somaliland's foreign affairs ministry before travelling. A letter of invitation from a local contact speeds the process significantly.