Djibouti
About
| Djibouti was originally inhabited by nomadic tribes, the main ones being the Afars and the Issas, who are strongly linked to Ethiopia and Somalia respectively. In Djibouti, a late 19th-century city with a distinctly Arabic feel, visit the lively Central Market (Le Marché Central) near the Mosque. Also worth seeing in Djibouti is the Tropical Aquarium with underwater exhibits from the Red Sea (open daily 1600-1830), and the Presidential Palace The Gulf of Tadjoura (especially Obock) contains many species of fish and coral and is ideal for diving, snorkelling and underwater photography; in many places, the coral reefs in the Red Sea are easily accessible from the beaches. The best time for these activities is from September to May when the waters of the Red Sea are clear. Waterskiing and windsurfing can also be arranged. Geology and wildlife enthusiasts may head to the wilderness around Lake Abbé (accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles only), a gathering place for flamingos and pelicans and the location of strange natural steaming chimneys. Djibouti lies within a geological feature known as the Afar Triangle, one of the hottest and most desolate places on Earth. Part of the Great Rift Valley system, it is a wedge of flat desert pushing into the Ethiopian Massif. Much of it is below sea level. |
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| Capital: | Djibouti (JIB) |
| Currency: | Djibouti Franc (DJF) |
| Language: | Arabic and French |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 253 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +3 (1 hour ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to go: | November - mid April |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Rounded two-pin plugs are used. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. |
| Customs: | As a predominately Islamic country, dress should always be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and legs covered. Respect to religious customs should be shown. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Credit cards are only accepted by large hotels and airlines. Street protests should be avoided. Sea travel along the coast should be avoided due to high incidents of piracy. |
Issuing Authorities
Honorary Consulate of Djibouti
138 West Street, Sandton, 2196
Tel: 011 719 9111
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 27; Mar 31; Apr 1; May 1; Jun 6-8, 27-28; Sep 5
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 16; Mar 20-21; May 1, 26-28; Jun 17, 27-28; Aug 26
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders. A transit visa is not required if you do not leave the airport.
For family, tourist or business purposes, visa applications may be made online: www.evisa.gouv.dj
REQUIREMENTS
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- Flight reservation (or any other possible means of transport)
- Accommodation address (Hotel or at your host's)
- Invitation letter (organisation or host with their contacts)
Visa Processing Time
Usually 72 hours - excluding weekend days (Friday and Saturday).
Visa Cost
A transit visa (from 1 to 14 days) costs $12 and a short stay visa (from 15 to 90 days) will cost $23.
Payments for the evisa can only be made with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express).
Visa fees are non-refundable.
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
