activities in djibouti to enjoy

By Mansi | 04-Jul-2024 | (0) (0)

things to do in djibouti

Introduction  

Are you planning on experiencing the vibes of Djibouti? But are not sure of the things one can do in Djibouti. Follow up on this article and get to know what this country located in the Horn of Africa has to offer. The most significant container port in Africa is located in Djibouti City. In addition, there are numerous reasons to visit Djibouti, including the friendliness of the locals, the delicious cuisine, and the likelihood of meeting many other travellers there. This makes it a fantastic location for lone travellers, families with kids of all ages, and individuals who simply want to disconnect. The majority of Djibouti is safe for tourists to visit. Both the capital city and Somaliland are secure (another country in the Horn of Africa).

READ ALSO: DJIBOUTI ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

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. This region of the country's northwest provides assistance to other regions' landscapes. Day Forest National Park is a fantastic option for birding and animal aficionados, and you may visit it as a visitor to the area.

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.  

READ ALSO: TRAVEL REGULATIONS IN DJIBOUTI

Try Djibouti cuisine  

Sambusa 

To start your meal with a perfect appetiser, Sambusa is your meal to go. Also called Samosa, this is a little fried pastry stuffed out with meat, onions and vegetables. It is served with fresh hot spicy paneer sauce that adds a fiery flavour to your taste buds.  

Fah-Fah  

Being nomadic and pastoral people, Djiboutians have a liking for camel, lamb, and goat meat over seafood. Fah-Fah is a popular cuisine in the country you must try if you are not vegetarian, which is a stew made from goat meat, vegetables and chillies. This dish is also made by replacing goat meat with camel or lamb meat. Fah-Fah is usually served with a sponge-like bread called canjeero.   

Mukbaza 

Mukbaza is a folded bread that is cut into pieces after being cooked with the same blend of honey and banana or dates. Mukbaza is a term associated with Yemen's fish meal and the dishes accompanying it. The fish is cooked over charcoal. This dish is best enjoyed with a dip made up of thick puree along with some nuts.   

Skudahkharis 

Being in Djibouti and not trying the national food is not acceptable. This dish, which is frequently cooked around Eid al-Adha, is made with rice, lamb, and ayurvedic spices like cardamom. This dish also goes well with beef or fish.  

Xalwo 

A dessert served at significant events like weddings and Eid festivities is called xalwo, which is pronounced "halwo" or "halva" and means "sweet." The finest accompaniments to this delectable sweet dish are shaah, a tea flavoured with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, or flavoured buna (coffee).

ALSO READ: DJIBOUTI VISA FOR US NATIONALS

Things you should consider before travelling to Djibouti

You are now aware of the things you can do in Djibouti. But before travelling to any place, it's convenient to have prior knowledge about some things that may be informative for you during your journey. That's why, before travelling to Djibouti, here are some things you should consider - 

  • Djibouti is prominently a Muslim country. Following the culture which they have, they are quite reserved. Being a traveller, you must ensure that you respect and adhere to their beliefs, laws and customs and try your best not to offend any locals. 
  •  As a visitor to Djibouti, it is advised to dress and behave in a conservative manner. There aren't any restrictions on drinking alcohol as it is permitted, but any drunken behaviour in public places or anywhere may result in a two-year prison term. There are also heavy penalties in Djibouti for possessing illegal drugs and using or trafficking illegal drugs.  
  • Even though homosexual behaviour is not prohibited, a public display of affection like kissing or hand holding by same-sex couples could lead to prosecution by the relevant authorities under the "good morals", given the cultural norms in Djibouti society is like.   
  • When travelling during Ramadan, be mindful not to transgress any Islamic principles and respect those who are fasting. During the month of Ramadan, while in public, avoid Drinking, eating and smoking.  
  • Producing, displaying in public, or selling any item, image, movie, or audio-visual recording that might be in opposition to socially acceptable behaviour is also prohibited. 
  • Photography of infrastructures like ports, public buildings, airports, military facilities and bridges is prohibited in the country. Going against it may result in the confiscation of your equipment with detention. You can always seek out help from any locals if unsure about taking photographs near prohibited places.  
  • Dual citizenship in Djibouti is prohibited. You are also required to carry an International Driving License for driving around the country. 

ALSO READ: WORK VISA VALIDITY IN DJIBOUTI

Conclusion 

So here it was, a complete guide on things to do in Djibouti with other information that might come in handy for your travel experience. All you are required to do is to arrange a visa to Djibouti to travel without any worries. if you do not have a Djibouti visa then there is no need to worry as you can easily get one through us. after getting your travel documents you can enjoy your trip to the fullest

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