Djibouti

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Quick Facts

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Local name

Arabic: جيبوتي Jībūtī, Somali: Jabuuti

Capital

Djibouti (City)

Government

Republic

Nationality

Djiboutian

Population

461,000

Languages

French, Arabic

Religions

Islam, Christianity

Currency

Djiboutian Franc (DJF)

Calling Code

+253

Time Zone

UTC+3

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Introduction

Djibouti (Arabic: جيبوتي) appears as a mere speck on a world maps, squeezed tightly between Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia and pushed up against the Red Sea. Its inconspicuous geographic nature and troubled history of civil war have been the major brakes on Djiboutian tourism. Yet as internal storms have been calmed with reasonable success, matters are looking a little more positive for the traveller who enjoys being away from the crowd. Djiboutian attractions are varied: windsurfing on wheels in the desert; swimming, surfing and skiing at the beaches around Djibouti City; the lakes of Assal and Abbé, each gorgeous in its own right. The capital is the central hub of activity and the vast majority of the country's population reside there. It is a most fascinating site of cultural interest, but we recommend that for stunning sightseeing, visitors head out of Djibouti City. Tadjoura, across the gulf, is a particular highlight.

Brief History

Geography

Regions

Djibouti is divided into 5 regions and one city:

• Ali Sabieh Region (Region d'Ali Sabieh)
• Arta Region (Region d'Arta)
• Dikhil Region (Region de Dikhil)
• Djibouti (City) (Ville de Djibouti)
• Obock Region (Region d'Obock)
• Tadjourah Region (Region de Tadjourah)

Cities

• Djibouti - The nation's capital.
• Ali Sabieh
• Balho
• Dikhil
• Khor Angar
• Obock
• Tadjoura
• Yoboki

Sights and Activities

Lake Asal

Lake Asal is a salt water crater lake in the central area of the country. The lake lies 153 m (502 ft) below sea level in the Afar Depression making it the lowest point in all of Africa. The lake measures 10 km by 7 km. The average depth of the lake is 7.4 meters with a 34.8% salt concentration, which makes it have a higher salt concentration then the Dead Sea. The lake is fed by underwater springs and the main outflow is evaporation.

Lake Abbé

Lake Abbé is located on the Ethiopia-Djibouti border and is the terminus of the Awash River. The lake is known for many sights. The first is the stunning salt water. Second, is on the northwest shore rises the stunning volcano of Dama Ali. Third, the lake is known for its 50 m high limestone chimneys, which have steam emitting from them. On the shore of the lake live the nomadic Afar people and wild flamingos. Lastly the original Planet of the Apes was filmed here.

Marché Central

Marché Central located on Blvd De Bender in the capital is an amazing market that is worth checking out. The market starts pretty early in the morning and doesn't end until the late afternoon. The best time to visit the market in order to see the most activity is around 1 pm. The market is very crowded and extremely load with the choir of car horns and hawkers.

Other Sights and Activities

• The Tomb of Sheikh Abu Yazid - Visit this remote tomb deep in the Goda Mountains.
• Diving/snorkelling - Enjoy some great reefs in towns like Tadjoura. There is also the possibility to snorkel with the mighty whales sharkes. It is one of the best and easiest places in the world to experience this magnificent creatures of the sea.
• Beaches - Chill out great beaches along the coast of Djibouti or remote salt water lakes.
• Desert Safari - Ride a camel on some rolling sand dunes.
• Kite Flying - Fly some kites along the beaches with locals.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Djibouti is hot and rather humid year round. Temperatures are highest between May and September, between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius on average, but rising to over 40 degrees sometimes. During the wintermonths, temperatures are still between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. Night time temperatures are 5 to 10 degrees lower in general. Although Djibouti is rather dry year round, most of the rain falls in the cooler months between November and March. Inland though, most of the rain falls during the warmer April to October period. Here, because of the elevation, temperatures are slightly lower as well.

Getting There

By Plane

Djibouti Airlines is the main airline in Djibouti and has its base at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB) near the capital. Destinations include Addis Ababa, Aden, Borama, Boosaaso, Dire Dawa, Dubai and Hargeisa. Daallo Airlines has flights to and from London, Paris and Dubai. Air France flies to Paris and Kenya Airways to Nairobi, Yemenia to Sana'a and Eritrean Airlines to Asmara.

By Train

Trains travel between Djibouti City and the Ethiopian city of Dire Dawa. Trains leave three times a week in both directions and it takes around 13 hours to cover the route.

By Car

Technically it's possible to cross borders from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia (Somaliland). See below for details about crossings. Note that you have to have your insurance and car papers in order and that not all border crossings are open to individual travellers with their own wheels.

By Bus

There is no official public transport between Djibouti and Eritrea but a combination of (shared)taxis and minivans travel between the border and towns in the two countries. From Eritrea, the main starting point is Assab. In Djibouti this is Obock, a town reachable by dhow or speedboat from Djibouti City.
There are daily Toyota Landcruisers travelling between Djibouti City and Hargeisa in Somaliland (Somalia), but it is a rough 20 hour ride.
There is a daily service between Djibouti City and Dire Dawa in Ethiopia, a 10 to 12-hour ride on a gravel road. You will take a bus to the border town of Gelille, then another bus to Dire Dawa.
If you want to enter Djibouti from Ethiopia via the border town of Galafi, the only option is to hitich a ride with one of the trucks that ply the route between Addis Ababa and Djibouti City via Awash, Gewane, Logiya and Dikhil. It's massive three days of travelling though so be prepared.

By Boat

Although there is no fixed scheduled, there should be a couple of traditional dhow travelling between Djibouti City and Mokha in Yemen. It takes around 20 hours to cover this route. To add, there should be crossings to the southern port city of Aden in Yemen as well.

Getting Around

By Plane

There are no scheduled services, so a small chartered plane will be your only option to fly to a few smaller airports in the country. But as distances are small, there really is no need for the normal traveller.

By Train

There is a train to Ali Sabieh from Djibout city towards the border with Ethiopia.

By Car

Several of the main roads, including a new one between Djibouti city and Tadjoura, are in good condition. Many other roads are not paved and require a 4wd vehicle. Be sure to carry fuel and water at all times, as it can be extremely hot and fuel can be hard to find in some remote areas. Cars can be hired at the international airport or downtown in Djibouti city. Traffic drives on the right and you need a national driver's licence and a local permit available at local authorities.

By Bus

Buses travel from Djibouti city to almost any town in the country on a daily basis. Buses leave when full and it is best to show up early to secure a seat.

By Boat

There are daily boats from L'Escale in Djibouti for Tadjoura and Obock on the north-east coast of the Gulf of Tadjoura. Check locally for times, as services are unreliable and can leave any time of day. It takes around 3 hours one way.

Red Tape

Travellers from western countries need a visa to enter Djibouti, available at the airport. When travelling overland, you need to apply for a visa before entering the country which is possible on any consulate in your home country as well as neighbouring countries like Ethiopia or Eritrea. Check the latest information about visas and embassies.

Money

See also Money Matters

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Djibouti generally is a very safe country to travel around and one of the safest anywhere in Africa.
Even walking around the capital is safe for most of the day and in almost every area. Just take your normal precautions like you would do anywhere else in a big city.
The main thing to concern is the extreme heat in some lower parts of the country where summer temperatures reach 50 degrees Celcius. Bring sufficient water and fuel is you are by car.

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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