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Djibouti✨ 10 best things to do in Djibouti

Things to do in Djibouti

1. Float in Lake AssalBob effortlessly in one of the saltiest lakes on Earth, framed by blinding white salt flats at Africa's lowest point.
2. Watch sunrise at Lake AbbéSee steam rise from a forest of limestone chimneys as flamingos wade in the shallows at dawn.
3. Swim with whale sharksSnorkel alongside gentle giant whale sharks in the Gulf of Tadjoura during the cooler months.
4. Dive the Seven BrothersExplore remote islands near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait with vibrant reefs and big fish life.
5. Picnic on Moucha IslandTake a boat to Moucha or Maskali for white sand, mangroves and snorkelling just off the capital.
6. Wander old Djibouti CityStroll around Place Menelik, whitewashed colonial arcades and the bustling central market.
7. Hike in the Day ForestWalk among junipers in the Goda Mountains and look out for the endemic Djibouti francolin.
8. Stay in an Afar campSleep under the stars in a traditional hut camp and share sweet tea with nomadic hosts.
9. Explore the GhoubbetGaze across the lava fields and volcanic cones around the Ghoubbet al-Kharab inlet and Devil's Island.
10. Eat Red Sea fishTry fish baked Yemeni-style in a clay oven, served with flatbread, in the capital's busy eateries.

Djibouti🗺️ Where to visit in Djibouti

Where to go in Djibouti

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  Djibouti CityCapital · portA cosmopolitan port city mixing French colonial architecture, lively markets and Red Sea seafood.
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  Lake AssalCentral · salt lakeA turquoise crater lake surrounded by salt flats, lying well below sea level.
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  Lake AbbéSouthwest · geothermalAn otherworldly landscape of limestone chimneys and hot springs on the Ethiopian border.
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  Gulf of TadjouraCoast · marine lifeDeep, sheltered waters famed for seasonal whale sharks and good diving.
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  TadjouraNorth coast · historic townOne of the country's oldest towns, with whitewashed houses and mosques set between mountains and sea.
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  Moucha & Maskali IslandsGulf of Tadjoura · islandsEasy-to-reach islands for beaches, mangroves and snorkelling.
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  Day Forest National ParkGoda Mountains · natureA rare highland forest refuge with cooler air, hiking and endemic birdlife.
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  Ghoubbet al-KharabRift zone · volcanic landscapeA dramatic bay ringed by lava flows and rift scenery where tectonic plates are pulling apart.

Djibouti🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Djibouti

Best time to visit Djibouti

Djibouti is one of the hottest countries on Earth, with a desert climate and very little rain. The coast is humid, while the interior and lowland salt lakes are scorching, and the Goda Mountains offer the only noticeably cooler air.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Djibouti City (approximate averages).

Djibouti🎉 Festivals & events in Djibouti

• June (27th)
  Independence DayThe country's main national celebration, with parades, music and festivities across the capital.
• Varies (end of Ramadan)
  Eid al-FitrFamilies gather for prayers, feasts and visits as the fasting month of Ramadan comes to an end.
• Varies (Islamic calendar)
  Eid al-AdhaThe Festival of Sacrifice is marked with communal prayers and shared meals.
• Varies (Islamic calendar)
  Mawlid an-NabiThe Prophet's birthday is celebrated with religious gatherings and recitations.

Djibouti🧭 Djibouti itinerary ideas

How many days in Djibouti?

Djibouti🎒 Backpacking Djibouti – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $60–100 a day

• Djibouti is expensive for its region and has almost no hostels, so budget travellers often share costs on 4x4 tours to the lakes.
• Shared minibuses run within the capital and to some towns – they are by far the cheapest way to get around.
• Simple local restaurants serving rice, fish and flatbread are much cheaper than European-style places.
• Consider arriving or leaving on the electric railway from Ethiopia for a cheaper, scenic overland route.
• Carry large amounts of water and sun protection on any trip outside the capital – the heat is relentless.

Djibouti🛡️ Safety & money in Djibouti

Emergency: 17 police · 18 fire

Djibouti🛬 Getting to Djibouti

Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport near the capital has flights from the Middle East, East Africa and Europe. Overland, the electric railway and road link Djibouti with Ethiopia; the border with Eritrea is closed.

✈️ Cheap flights to Djibouti: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Djibouti💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Djibouti

• Lake Assal is the lowest point in Africa, lying around 155 metres below sea level.
• Djibouti sits on the Afar Triangle, where three tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart.
• Whale sharks gather in the Gulf of Tadjoura during the cooler months, making it one of the best places to see them.
• Several foreign countries maintain military bases in Djibouti because of its strategic location.
• Both French and Arabic are official languages, while Somali and Afar are widely spoken day to day.

Djibouti❓ Djibouti travel FAQ

Djibouti travel questions