Travel to Djibouti — everything you need to know
When to go to Djibouti?
- October – April — Cool season : Best time to visit: manageable temperatures (25–32°C), calm seas. Whale sharks from November to January. Hiking in the Day Mountains is possible.
- June – September — Khamsin — extreme heat : Extreme temperatures (38–45°C inland), hot winds and sand. Outdoor activities become very difficult. Not recommended.
Weather in Djibouti
Check the weather city by city, starting with Djibouti.
- Djibouti (ville): daytime highs from 26 to 42 °C depending on the season, 13 mm of rain per month on average.
- Lac Assal: daytime highs from 32 to 45 °C depending on the season, 2 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Djibouti?
Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa with lunar landscapes: Lake Assal (153m below sea level, the lowest point in Africa and the second saltiest place in the world after the Dead Sea), Lake Abbé and its steam chimneys, the whale sharks of the Gulf of Tadjourah (November to January), and diving at the legendary Ghoubbet site.
Whale sharks of the Gulf of Tadjourah
From November to January, the Gulf of Tadjourah hosts one of the densest concentrations of whale sharks in the world — at times, up to 50 can be seen from the boat at once. Swimming with the world's largest fish in these warm, clear waters is one of the planet's most intense marine experiences.
Highlights : Swimming with whale sharks (Nov–Jan, Arta Beach), Ghoubbet diving — manta rays and lunar topography, Snorkelling on the Seven Brothers reefs (coral islands), Sunset cruise in the Gulf of Tadjourah.
Lake Assal — Africa's lowest point
Lake Assal (153m below sea level) is the lowest point in Africa and one of the driest places on the planet. Its salinity (35%) is 10 times that of the sea — you float effortlessly. The white salt crystals on the blue shoreline and the colours of the surrounding volcanic landscape create an otherworldly panorama.
Highlights : Floating swim in Lake Assal (ultra-salty water), View over the black lava flows and white salt, Afar herders' salt caravans, Ardoukoba lava flow (recent volcano, 1978).
Lake Abbé — Sci-fi landscape
Lake Abbé is one of Africa's most surreal sights: hundreds of 50m limestone chimneys vent steam into a barren volcanic landscape — Steven Spielberg almost filmed a Star Wars scene here. Spending the night under the stars and watching sunrise over the chimneys are unforgettable moments.
Highlights : Steam chimneys at dawn (a unique volcanic landscape), Overnight camp under the stars by the lake.
Day Mountains — Relic forest
The Day Mountains are home to Djibouti's only juniper forest — a relic from a time when the country was green. At 1,700m above sea level, temperatures are radically different from the scorching coast. Day National Park shelters the Djibouti francolin (a critically endangered endemic bird) and dik-diks (tiny antelopes).
Highlights : Day juniper forest — Djibouti's only forest, Panoramic view over the Afar basin.
Travel budget for Djibouti
Djibouti is expensive for the region (a global logistics crossroads with foreign military presences). Most goods are imported. On the other hand, the Djiboutian franc is pegged to the dollar — no exchange-rate surprises.
- Backpacker : 55–90 €/j — Guesthouse + local food + shared 4x4
- Comfort : 140–250 €/j — 3★ hotel + restaurants + private excursions
Practical tips for travelling to Djibouti
- Flight from Paris : ~8–10h (Air France direct 3x/week, Turkish via Istanbul, Ethiopian via Addis Ababa).
- Visa : Online e-Visa required before departure (~USD 76, 31 days) on evisa.gouv.dj. Also available on arrival.
- Currency : Djiboutian franc (DJF, pegged to the dollar). US dollars preferred. Credit cards accepted in hotels only.
- Language : French and Arabic (official). Afar and Somali among locals. French is sufficient for travelling.
- Electricity : Type C/E (European) — 220V. No adapter needed for French devices.
- Health : Antimalarial treatment recommended (low but present risk). Typhoid vaccine advised. Extreme heat: hydrate heavily from June to September.
- Tap water : Not drinkable — bottled water only. Watch out for dehydration in summer (drink 4–6L/day).
- Heat : From June to September, temperatures exceed 40°C inland. Any outdoor activity should be planned for early in the morning.
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