things you should pack before travelling to Djibouti

Introduction 

A place that is somewhat yet to be discovered by tourists, Djibouti is not a known place on the global stage, but it is a hidden gem for travelling. Situated in the horn of Africa, in the blue skies of Djibouti, one can enjoy its nature, culture, and the country's history and traditional cuisine. If you are planning to visit this small country in East Africa, this article will provide you with a complete guide on what to carry to Djibouti for your excursion in this country.  

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Things to carry to Djibouti

Clothing according to weather conditions 

You should be aware that Djibouti offers a hot climate throughout the year. Even in the months of winter, the temperature can be humid and with rains which are rare but can be intense in the central and southern interior. It would be best if you packed clothes according to the weather conditions at your time of visit. As mentioned above, in hot climates, try packing lightweight apparel suitable for summer conditions. Pack a raincoat and coats to cover yourself if you're visiting at times of heavy showers. It is best if you visit this place during the winter months, December - February, to avoid unbearable heat and sunshine. Also, if you want to try out the country's famous swim with whale sharks here, consider visiting from October to February.  

Djibouti Visa 

The most important document you must carry for any foreign visit is your visa. Similarly, if you are visiting from a country that requires a visa to enter Djibouti premises, you must have an authorised Djibouti visa with you. Also, make sure to carry your passport, having a minimum validity of 6 months.  

In this case, if you are looking to apply for a visa, get the same by visiting Djiboutivisaonline, completing the essential steps like selecting your citizenship country with your country of residence, selecting the visa type and completing the visa application process by providing the required documents and payment.  

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Covid vaccinated documents  

Another important document you need to carry with you is documents showing that you are fully vaccinated to enter Djibouti.  

Travel Insurance 

This is another document which you must carry with you not just for Djibouti but for any foreign country visit. Having travel insurance will work as a safeguard for you in any crisis while abroad. Also, since the medical facilities in Djibouti are limited, this will work as travel health insurance. Make sure that you also carry adequate funds for the cost of any medical treatment or emergency.  

Currency  

Talking about funds, make sure that you carry the currency which is used in Djibouti. Which is the Djiboutian franc. Currency can be exchanged in money exchange centres in Djibouti or in your country if available.  

Being aware of what are the things you should carry before travelling to Djibouti, the other thing you should know is what are the things and places you should visit in this nation located in the horn of Africa. For that, consider visiting these places -  

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Best places to visit and see in Djibouti  

Djibouti City 

When in the country, visiting Djibouti City is a must. Founded in 1888, the city is thriving towards becoming an urban centre. Being the 2nd richest city in the horn of Africa, with its restaurants and bars in this place, you will find traditional Somali and Afar culture.  

Lake Assal  

At 508 feet/155 meters below sea level, which is the lowest point in Africa, the lake is situated in the west of the capital. This place is a magnificent piece of natural beauty. Lake Assal has turquoise water, and with the salt collected along the shore, you can see the camel harvesting the salt, which has been done for hundreds of years.  

Goda Mountains  

To have a glimpse of the country's traditional culture visiting Goda Mountains and witnessing Afar villages will offer you that. Located in the northwest, this place offers aid to landscapes of the rest of the country. As a tourist in the place, you can also visit  Day Forest National Park is an excellent choice for birding and wildlife enthusiasts. 

Ghoubet Al-Kharab 

One of the most intriguing places in the country, Ghoubet Al-Kharab, or ‘devil’ island’, is considered the most dangerous place in Djibouti. What makes this place fascinating is the saying behind it which explains that anyone who tries to swim in this place after sunset or at night drowns due to the water being too deep. If this is true or not, we still recommend you to spend a day and not try it.   

American military base 

To think that a military base in such a small country and that too of having the only American military base in all of Africa is what makes one of the highlights of Djibouti. But there's an important reason behind it, which is the country's geographical location, which works as a gateway to the Middle East and Asia. Besides the Americans, Djibouti also has bases in France, Japan, Germany and China lately. Associating this place as the "Land of military bases" would not be wrong. 

Red Sea  

Djibouti also has the Red Sea, which offers you outdoor activities like snorkelling, diving with whales and sharks, or swimming with dolphins at Mocha Island. This gem of a place also provides the most decadent combinations of finest seafood and fish with the water activities. 

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Where to eat in Djibouti? 

The country offers a plethora of places to eat and drink. In Djibouti, western food will be more expensive to you in comparison to local ones. The Ethiopian Community centre here provides varieties of food options at a very reasonable price.  

Is Djibouti safe to travel to?  

• It is one of the safer places to visit in the Horn of Africa. But it is always recommended to keep a safeguard while travelling to a new place. The crime in the country is relatively low in comparison to its neighbours, but that being said, you should take precautions to avoid pick-pocketing, not travel alone to any isolated places, especially after dark, and avoid coastal areas.  
• Being declared a "mine safe" country, here at Djibouti, the mines have been marked and not removed, so as a traveller, you should stay on paved roads and beforehand with authorities before using unpaved roads or any off the beaten track. These mines are more to be found in Tadjoura and Obock in the northern district, with Ali Sabieh in the southern district.  
• Outside Djibouti City, it is not recommended to drive at night as it can be dangerous. The roads in Djibouti are not of high standards, with most poorly maintained. Driving can be a tedious task here. Another safety piece of advice for you is not to travel to the border with Eritrea due to toxic relations between Djibouti and Eritrea, which led to disputes in the past. Also, refrain from travelling to the border with Somaliland as the security forces are low in these areas. 

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Conclusion 

So here is a complete guide on what are the things you should carry before travelling to Djibouti with other relevant details that will guide you in having a smooth trip.  

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