Djibouti is renowned as being one of Africa’s smallest countries, yet equally one of its most fascinating. Situated along the line of the Afar Triple Junction, this East African nation is a mashup of salt lakes, volcanic formations, expansive canyons, and ceaseless plains, topped off by the stunning blue coastlines of the Gulf of Aden. The geographical position gives it the status of a cultural crossroads and a nomadic origin. This cultural mix has forged this mosaic nation with famous hospitality, highly tolerant, and proud of nomadic ancestors.
Rolf Cosar, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tyke, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Francisco Anzola, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Francisco Anzola, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Rod Waddington is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
by Rod Waddington is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The best time to visit is from November until early April. The Republic of Djibouti ranks among the countries with a hot semi-arid climate, except for the mountainous regions of the northern Gulf of Tadjourah. The country is characterized by high temperatures and high evaporation year-round. The temperature differences are small, with lots of sunshine and not much rain. The humidity on the coast and in Djibouti is very high during the cool season.
Snorkelling and Diving: due to the year-round warm temperatures and favourable conditions, scuba diving in Djibouti is possible all the time, although during October to February, massive plankton blooms attract whale sharks and manta rays to feed. Sea temperatures average between 27 and 29°C, with most divers and snorkelers feeling perfectly comfortable in a skinsuit or shortie. And, while this influx of nutrition does reduce visibility, which can drop to 20 metres or less.
Whale-shark, dolphins, and manta rays: from November to February Djibouti is one of the easiest places in the world to see whale sharks.
Birdwatching: the islands of the Seven Brothers and the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb are real migration corridors for several hundred thousand birds. Djibouti’s peak for birding is from July to May that is when the country receives some rainfall and breeding taking place during that period.
The Djiboutian franc is the official currency. Typically, 180 to 210 francs per Euro and 177 francs per US Dollar.
The languages of Djibouti include Afar, Arabic, Somali and French. Somali and Afar are the most widely spoken tongues, and Arabic and French serve as the official languages.
All country citizens strictly need a visa for entering in Djibouti. The e-Visa is a document that certifies that the holder is authorized to enter and stay in the Republic of Djibouti for a specified period. Applicants can obtain their visa electronically, after providing the required information and making the payment online. Once the application is approved, the e-Visa is sent to the applicant by e-mail. The traveller must enter their intended date of arrival when completing the online form. Tourist and business e-Visas are valid for 31 days from this date. The online Djibouti visa allows the holder to enter the country a single time. If a visitor wants to leave and then return, they will need to apply again and obtain a new e-Visa.
The following documents must be submitted as part of the e-Visa application: valid passport, flight (or other transport) reservations, address of accommodation in Djibouti, invitation letter from an organization or host in Djibouti. The traveller’s passport must continue to be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
Visitors can obtain their electronic visa and more information by submitting their application online on this link
All the ATMs in Djibouti City accept Visa, but ATMs accepting MasterCard are harder to find. Credit cards are accepted at most of the larger grocery stores, but nowhere else. Almost the whole economy here is built on cash turnover, so non-cash payment is not in favour. On the contrary, you can exchange currency directly on the street. However, you need to be careful, there are a lot of hunters around for easy money.
Credit cards are accepted in certain places of commerce (hotels, travel agencies, shops, supermarkets, etc.). Some businesses charge a 5% commission when paying by credit card. In this perspective, please inquire with your service providers before any payment by credit card. Bargaining is normal (and expected) in all the markets, particularly in the capital, where the Arab influence from across the Red Sea is most felt. You should also haggle with the taxi drivers in the capital whose rates seem to fluctuate according to your nationality, naivety, and negotiation skills.
In most Muslim countries, the weekly holiday is Friday. Public offices are open from Sunday to Thursday from 7am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm. In the private sector, people generally work from Saturday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Restaurants are generally open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. Overall, life is idle in the hot afternoon hours. Shops are open until noon and from 4 p.m. onwards. The department stores are open continuously every day until 10 pm. Some banks open on Saturdays. Exchange offices only close on Fridays.
During Ramadan, businesses and public offices have adapted schedules and everything works normally, except for small restaurants or food-related shops that only open at sunset. Also, restaurants in hotels and some restaurants frequented mostly by foreigners remain open as well as department stores.
Time: GMT+ 3 hours.
Ambouli Airport (is located 7 km from the city centre, by car is 10 minutes).
Djibouti’s public transport system is limited to ferry and bus services. It is important to remark that only about 12 percent of roads are paved and fewer than half can be used throughout the year. Public transport is available between Djibouti city and major towns such as Dikhil, Tadjoura, Obock and Galafi. The cost is cheap but services are infrequent in remote areas.
Daily ferry services are available to and from the towns of Obock, Tadjoura and Djibouti City. The trip can take up to three hours, but boat transfers from the Djibouti Port to the nearby Moucha Islands only take about 30 to 45 minutes. International ferries to Yemen and main ports on Eastern Africa are also available.
A total of 93 km of the railway is running on Djiboutian territory. It is a single-track railway line along the entire Djiboutian share of the railway. It connects the border with Ethiopia at Guelile with the Port of Doraleh in the capital Djibouti City. As of January 2018, there is no domestic passenger traffic between Ali Sabieh, Holhol and Djibouti City, all trains are international trains from and to Ethiopia serving the Nagad and the Port train stations only.
By car, many roads are not paved and require a 4wd vehicle. authorities. The fact is, that Djibouti is no properly prepared for owner tourism, in my opinion, one option is getting some of the country´s principal attractions is by joining an excursion or rent a tour. For more information you can check this website for local and tourist agencies.
Drinking tap water
Photograph local people without asking their permission first
This is a Muslim country, women should dress conservatively, too, as another courtesy
If you are an LGBTQ+ traveller keep public displays of affection to a minimum
Travelers should stay on paved roads and should check with local authorities before using unpaved roads or any area off the beaten track so to speak, avoid traveling to remote areas, including the border with Somaliland, in the North-West of Somalia, where the presence of security forces is low
Alcohol consumption is permitted. However, the sale and public supply of alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all districts in the interior of the country and in the popular districts of the capital (except for hotels and other approved points of sale)
Djiboutian cuisine is a mixture of Somali, Afar, Yemeni, and French cuisine, with some additional South Asian (especially Indian) culinary influences. Local dishes are commonly prepared using a variety of spices, ranging from saffron to cinnamon.
“Fah-Fah” (is a classic Djiboutian soup. Traditionally it is made with goat meat), “Marake kaloune” (is a traditional fish stew usually made with a combination of fish fillets, potatoes, onions, okra, eggplants, tomatoes, garlic, tamarind paste, salt, pepper, parsley, rice, and oil), “Skoudehkaris” (is a flavorful rice dish seasoned with cardamom and cooked with lamb, although lamb can sometimes be substituted by chicken, beef, or fish), “Banana fritters” (the bananas could be skewered in sticks, coated with sugar, or turned to spring rolls. They could be rolled into balls or pressed flat, and are made with mashed ripe bananas mixed in a batter of flour, sugary water, and a dash of nutmeg).
In Djibouti, there are two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin. Djibouti operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Djibouti has a severe lack of health care facilities. The country’s capital has the highest concentration of medical facilities, and even still, there are very few. In many remote places, there is no easy access to health care facilities. It is recommended getting travel insurance when traveling to Djibouti, since it covers not only the costs medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.
It is a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Djibouti. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also, both hepatitis A as well as typhoid would be recommended. Like most African countries, Malaria is high throughout the year in all areas. Do not underestimate this tropical disease and take precautions. Buy repellent (preferably with 50% DEET), and sleep under a net.
Dengue sometimes occurs as well.
Despite polio outbreaks in all of Djibouti’s neighbors (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yemen), there has not been a case of polio since 1999 in the country but if you are visiting this country for longer than 4 weeks, you may be advised to have a booster dose of a polio-containing vaccine if you have not had one in the past 12 months. You should carry proof of having had this vaccination
Tipping is not normally expected, service charges are generally included in the bill.
Ramadan the dates can change depending on the year. During 30 days Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking and smoking. You can find during this month some restrictions for visitors. Business hours during Ramadan can suffer time variations. Tourist attractions, hotels and restaurants remain open and public transport generally functions normally, but serving alcohol may be restricted or unavailable.
Djibouti is at the junction between three tectonic plates and experiences earthquakes every now and then.
Underestimate the power of the sun in Djibouti and do keep yourself well hydrated.