Situated on the East African coast is the breath-taking country of Djibouti. This nation, home to more than 887,000 residents, includes alien landscapes due to the surrounding region’s volcanic activity. Djibouti offers you an exceptional African adventure, historic cultures and wonderful sightseeing opportunities. Top attractions include Lake Assal, Day Forest National Park in Djibouti City and Arta Beach.
Prepare for an unforgettable African experience, because cheap flights to Djibouti are now available for a limited time! The capital, Djibouti City, is the home of Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB), which is a 15-minute drive from the city centre. JIB serves several airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways. Popular connecting flights are available from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Djibouti City. The flight duration from Johannesburg to Djibouti City is approximately 9 hours, 30 minutes.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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Djibouti is home to four volcanoes, both active and extinct. This has resulted in surreal landscapes, including salt lakes, sunken plains, basaltic plateaus and stunning canyons. Go on an adventure with various land and water activities.
The seemingly alien environment of Djibouti is the home of a diverse range of animals, including the hamadryas baboon, dik-diks, sacred ibis and black-backed jackals. Keep an eye out for these residents as you explore this nation.
Thanks to its geographic position, Djibouti has been for many years a crossroad for trade and commerce. Experience this country’s cosmopolitan nature by sampling its traditional foods, such as harira (soup) and banana fritters.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Currency | Djiboutian Franc |
|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 13.59 DJF |
| Language | Arabic / French |
| Hub Airport | Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB) |
| Airline | Air Djibouti |
| Time Zone | GMT + 3 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type C / E |
Djibouti is known for its hot and humid conditions throughout the year, and fairly consistently low volume of rainfall. Avoid the intense heat of the summer (June – September) by visiting Djibouti during winter (November – February) for cooler temperatures. This is thanks to the refreshing sea breeze and the somewhat higher volume of rainfall. For the cheapest flights to Djibouti, plan your visit between June and August.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | 22°C | 23°C | 24°C | 25°C | 27°C | 29°C | 31°C | 31°C | 29°C | 26°C | 23°C | 22°C |
| High °C | 29°C | 29°C | 30°C | 32°C | 35°C | 39°C | 42°C | 41°C | 37°C | 33°C | 31°C | 29°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 10 | 19 | 20 | 29 | 17 | 0.1 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 22 | 11 |
Djibouti is one of those destinations that you can hardly compare to other nations of the world (aside from Iceland). This is due to its exceptional lack of large-scale developments and the incredibly weird landscapes, thanks to the former volcanic activity of the country. Its amazing scenery provide the perfect opportunity for adventure with various outdoor activities, including hiking, surfing and diving.
Some of the most famous scenes of Djibouti include the magnificent Lake Assal, a crater and saline lake in the Danakil Desert, neighbouring dormant volcanoes and black lava fields. It’s the lowest point in Africa (150 metres below sea level) and the second-most saline in the world!
Visit the Gulf of Tadjoura for the wonderful chance to spot whale sharks, who are after the wealth of crustaceans found off the coast of Djibouti. This fact adds an additional highlight to activities like diving and snorkelling. Make sure to treat yourself to this sensational experience off the coast of the Horn of Africa.
The capital, Djibouti City, thrives as the cultural centre of the country with its traditional tribes. This destination boasts an excellent position on the coast of the Red Sea. Immerse yourself in its authentic blend of cultures, explore attractions like Ardoukoba Volcano and Hamoudi Mosque, go kayaking off from Douda Beach or just relax at Khor Ambado Beach.
Compare several airlines and book your cheap flights to Djibouti online at Travelstart!
South Africans will need a visa to enter Djibouti. Make sure that your passport will be valid for six months after your departure date and that it has 3 blank pages for entry stamps.
The South African Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is accredited to Djibouti.
Address: Nifasilk Lafto, Subcity Kebele 03 South Africa Avenue (Old Airport Area), Addis Ababa.
Phone: + 251 11 371 1002
Email: dha@ethionet.et (Immigration & Civic Affairs)
Travellers should consider getting all the routine vaccinations before leaving for Djibouti. These include:
• Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine
• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine
• Varicella vaccine
• Polio vaccine
• Yearly flu shot
Additionally, you may need to guard against other diseases, but this depends on your activities in Djibouti. They include:
• Hepatitis A (spread through contaminated food and water)
• Typhoid (spread through contaminated food and water)
• Hepatitis B (spread through sexual contact, contaminated needles and blood products)
• Malaria (spread through mosquito bites)
• Rabies (spread through the bites of dogs, bats and other mammals)
The government of Djibouti requires you to provide proof of Yellow Fever vaccination if you are coming from a country where this disease is a risk.
While Djibouti is generally a safe destination to explore, follow the following tips to ensure you have an enjoyable time exploring this African country:
• Keep your valuables out of sight and in a secure place in crowded areas and markets.
• Avoid walking alone, especially in the Quartier 1, south of Les Caisses market, in Djibouti City.
• Stay away from the beaches of Khor Ambado and Dorale late in the afternoon.
• Djibouti has a high level of security. Stay calm and be polite if you find yourself being questioned.
| Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Djibouti City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal inexpensive restaurant | R 100.00 | R 100.00 | R 129.21 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | R 25.00 | R 25.00 | R 52.74 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | R 23.32 | R 22.34 | R 44.30 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | R 10.00 | R 10.00 | R 36.92 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 39.50 | R 37.50 | R 18.46 |
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