Travel advisory · DjiboutiSome governments advise against travel to parts of Djibouti.The warnings cover only these areas: Eritrea border area, Somalia border area (within 10 km).Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Eritrea border area · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand, UK, US
- Somalia border area (within 10 km) · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Sept-frères archipelago (Sawabi) (France), Somaliland (France), Djibouti-Loyada road corridor (France), South Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Mar 6, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée dans le reste du pays (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Djibouti
Djibouti is a small Horn of Africa country at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, known for Lake Assal, the lowest point in Africa, and its desert interior. It suits travelers who want salt lakes and desert more than a beach holiday.
Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa, at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. It borders Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, with the Gulf of Aden to the east. Djibouti City gives the country its name, and most of the population lives in or near it. The port is the main sea outlet for Ethiopia, and ships use it to refuel and transship cargo.
Lake Assal, in the north-west, is a salt lake and the lowest point in Africa, where salt is mined on an industrial scale. Lake Abbé and the Gobaad plain hold prehistoric sites, and the Grand Bara desert covers parts of the south. Parts of the European quarter in Djibouti City were built by Somali and Afar workers in the colonial era, and the buildings mix Islamic, Ottoman and French styles. Plan for heat: December and January are the coolest months, and temperatures stay high all year. A short trip can cover the capital and a day at Lake Assal.
Five things to know before Djibouti
- Get the e-Visa or a visa on arrival
UK passport holders need a visa: apply online on the official portal before travel, or buy a tourist visa on arrival with US dollars in cash. Check other passports on the portal. Djibouti e-Visa portal
- Show proof of your onward journey
You need evidence of an onward journey, and your passport needs six months of validity beyond your arrival date.
- Go between November and February
Winter is the only mild season. From June to August highs reach the 40s °C, and whale sharks gather near Tadjoura from about November to February.
- Book a 4x4 and driver for the lakes
Lake Assal and Lac Abbé are reached on rough desert tracks. Travel with a local operator, and carry water and fuel.
- Avoid the Eritrea border area
The UK advises against all travel to the Djibouti and Eritrea border. Plan northern routes with an operator who knows the current situation. UK travel advice
Djibouti travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The e-Visa, visa on arrival and onward ticket rules.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for desert trips and diving with whale sharks.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData in Djibouti City and on the road.
Read the guideMoney and cardsDjiboutian francs, dollars and card acceptance.
Read the guideGetting aroundHiring a 4x4 and driver for Lake Assal and Lac Abbé.
Read the guide
Destinations in Djibouti
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Mild, whale sharksJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, whale sharks
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Mild, whale sharksFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, whale sharks
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WarmMarchClear
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°HotAprilClear
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh35°Low28°Very hotMayClear
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh38°Low30°Extreme heatJuneClear
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 30°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Extreme heat
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh40°Low31°HottestJulyClear
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 31°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- AugustClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh38°Low30°Extreme heatAugustClear
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 30°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Extreme heat
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh37°Low30°Very hotSeptemberClear
- High
- 37°
- Low
- 30°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°HotOctoberClear
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- NovemberClear6 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Warm, whale sharksNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, whale sharks
- DecemberClear5 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Mild, whale sharksDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, whale sharks
Average daily high and low in Djibouti City, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Djibouti
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 58%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Djibouti City
12:14 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°24°2%Tuesday: Clear. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed32°26°40%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Thu31°25°25%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri31°26°82%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Sat30°26°79%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Sun31°27°98%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 98%.
Updated 08:51 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 177.7 DJF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Djibouti FAQ
Do I need a visa for Djibouti?
UK passport holders do. Apply online on the official e-Visa portal before travel, or buy a tourist visa on arrival with US dollars in cash. Check the rule for other passports on the portal.
When can I swim with whale sharks in Djibouti?
Usually from about November to February in the Gulf of Tadjoura. Go with an operator that keeps boats at a distance.
How hot does Djibouti get?
Very hot: summer highs in Djibouti City average around 40°C, higher inland. November to February is the comfortable season.
Can I visit Lake Assal on a day trip?
Yes, it is about two hours by road from Djibouti City. Lac Abbé is farther and usually an overnight trip.
What language is spoken in Djibouti?
French and Arabic are official; Somali and Afar are widely spoken. English is used in some hotels and dive centers.