Djibouti Travel / Africa | She is Wanderlust Travel Blog

Located in the horn of Africa, Djibouti is the third smallest country in continental Africa, filled with some of the most impressive landscapes in the world. It also boosts exotic and diverse wildlife and culture, with some of the most peaceful tribes there are and unique architecture and sightseeing spots.

Why Visit

LANDSCAPES & VIEWS

Djibouti has some of the most impressive landscapes you are going to see in your life. More than 70% of the continent’s mountain ranges can be found within the country. The Simien Mountains, plateaus, deserts, Ghoubbet Al-Kharab, the crater-lake of Lake Assal, the breathtaking Limestone chimneys at Lake Abbe and the Red Sea will delight your sight.

WILDLIFE

Almost every country in Africa offers an exotic array of wildlife, and Djibouti is not the exception. The country is home to some pretty interesting endemic and endangered species like the francolin and the red river hog. It is also home to warthogs, antelopes, gazelles, hyenas, leopards, camels, donkeys, vervet monkeys and raptors.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Thanks to its strategic geographic location and a crossroad of trade and commerce, Djibouti is a melting pot of cultures, with different customs, languages, religions and cuisines. The country is home to three ethnic groups: Somali, Afar and Arabs, which have been living together in peace since the 12th century.

ARCHITECTURE

Djibouti is a former French colony, and it still has well preserved remains of this period, with some of the best sightseeing spots in Africa. Thanks to its diverse background, the country also boosts interesting religious site to admire, like the Hamoudi Mosque (built in 1906) and a variety of palaces.

Why Visit

LANDSCAPES & VIEWS

WILDLIFE

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

ARCHITECTURE

Name: Republic of Djibouti
Capital: Djibouti
Official Languages: French, Arabic
Currency: Djiboutian franc
Time Zone: UTC+3

Name: Republic of Djibouti
Capital: Djibouti
Official Languages: French, Arabic
Currency: Djiboutian franc
Time Zone: UTC+3

Bucket list

What to expect

LANGUAGE

Afar, Arabic, Somali and French are the spoken languages in Djibouti. Somali and Afar are the most widely spoken, and Arabic and French serve as the official languages. Although many in the country understand English, Arabic and French phrases will also be useful in Djibouti.

ELECTRICITY

In Djibouti the standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. That’s the standard voltage (220-240V) in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa; If you are traveling from the US you will need an adaptor. Nearly 60% of the population in urban areas has access to electricity.

CURRENCY

The Djiboutian franc is the currency in Djibouti. It is recommended to exchange your money (Dollars or Euros preferably) at the airport or the capital, as they aren’t many other authorized exchange centres, banks or ATM’s outside Djibouti City. Credit cards would only be accepted at high-end hotels, shops and restaurant, but rarely anywhere else, therefore cash is recommended. 1 USD equals 177.94 francs (as of 2020)

CLIMATE

Djibouti is very hot and arid. The average temperature typically varies from 74°F to 106°F and is rarely below 71°F or above 110°F. It is the hottest country on Earth.

SAFETY

Djibouti is one of the safest destinations in Africa. Crime rates are very low, thanks to the military presence in the country. Occasional petty crime occurs in Djibouti City. Use your common sense and try to avoid traveling alone and visiting isolated places.

How to get around

By plane: Unfortunately there aren’t any domestic flights in Djibouti.

By Car: Djibouti has some decent roads around the capital and major towns, however is not the case in the rest of the country, where a 4WD will be necessary. The majority of car rental agencies offer a mandatory driver with the car. Major car rental agencies can be found in the capital.

By Taxi: Djibouti’s taxis are state owned. They are pretty common and easy to find. It is recommended to negotiate the price in advance. Prices start at as low as $2.50. (500 francs)

By Bus: Buses are available between Djibouti City and major towns, including Dikhil, Tadjoura, Obock and Galafi. They are infrequent and non-reliable in the rest of the country. They are privately owned and extremely cheap, however the majority of them wouldn’t speak French or English, and you have to let them know your stop in advance.

By Ferry: Boat is only available to travel between Djibouti City and Tadjoura and between Djibouti City and Obock.

Visa Policy

Citizens of Singapore and Kenya can visit Djibouti without a visa.

Citizens of all other countries are required to apply for a eVisa in advance. Visitors can apply for a transit visa valid for 3 days or a single entry visit visa valid for 31 days. eVisas are issued only for tourism or commerce purposes. Holders of eVisas can only enter Djibouti through Ambouli International Airport.