Sub Saharan Africa

Djibouti
Still current at: 14 March 2010 Updated: 02 December 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with the addition of a Road Travel section and amendments to the Local Laws and Customs sectioin (alcohol; photography). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

We advise against all travel to the border with Eritrea. From 10 to 12 June 2008, there was fighting between Djibouti and Eritrea after an incursion of Eritrean forces into the disputed Djibouti border region. This led to casualties on both sides. The situation remains fragile.
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is no British Embassy in Djibouti and the Honorary Consul can offer only limited assistance. See the General (Consular assistance) of this advice .
The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Djibouti in 2008 was replacing lost or stolen passports. You should be aware of the risk of banditry if travelling outside the capital city.
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See General (Insurance) section of this advice and our Travel Insurance page.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For further information see our Terrorism Abroad page.

Crime

Incidences of petty crime are not uncommon in Djibouti. We advise against walking around town alone, late at night. Valuables, particularly cameras and passports should be kept out of sight.

You should be aware of the risk of banditry if travelling outside the capital city.

For more general information see our Victims of crime abroad page.

Political Situation

Djibouti Country Profile

Local Travel

We advise against all travel to the border with Eritrea. From 10 to 12 June 2008, there were military clashes between Djibouti and Eritrea after an incursion of Eritrean forces into the disputed Djibouti border region. This led to casualties on both sides. The situation remains fragile and further conflict is possible.

Road Travel

You should avoid travelling outside of the city after dark, as vehicles often have no lights and livestock may be roaming the roads. Roads are also narrow, poorly lit and maintained. Police set up wire coils as roadblocks on some of the major roads, which are not clearly visible at night.

Land minds are prevalent in the northern districts of Obock and Tadjoura and the southern distsrict of Ali Sabeih.

For more general information see our Driving Abroad page.

Rail Travel

Sabotage and derailment on the Djibouti/Ethiopia railway occasionally occur. If you intend to travel into the Republic of Djibouti by rail you should check with the British Embassy in Addis Ababa on the current situation before setting off.

Sea Travel

Mariners should be aware that incidents of piracy have been reported in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and are advised to exercise vigilance and seek local advice.

For more general information see our River and Sea Safety page.

Local laws and customs

Djibouti has a predominantly Muslim population and visitors should dress in a conservative manner in the city. However, it is far less strict than other Islamic countries and use of swimwear at the swimming pool at The Sheraton Hotel and on the islands is unrestricted.

Homosexual behaviour is illegal.

The consumptionof alcohol is permitted, but displays of drunken behaviour could result in a two-year prison term.

French, Arabic and Somali are widely spoken.

Photography of infrastructure (such as ports, public buildings, airports, military facilities and bridges) is prohibited in Djibouti. Your equipment will be confiscated and you could be arrested. When taking photos near prohibited places you should exercise caution and seek local advice if you are unsure.

For more general information for different types of travellers see our Your trip page.

Entry requirements

Visas

British nationals require a visa to enter Djibouti. Tourist visas for up to one month can be obtained on arrival at the airport. Visas can also be obtained from the French Embassy in London.

British nationals applying for a Djibouti visa in Ethiopia generally require a letter from the British Embassy in Addis Ababa for presentation at the Djibouti Embassy. There is a fee for this service payable in local currency.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country, or in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the French Embassy in London.

Departure Tax

There is a 20 US Dollars departure tax at the airport.

Health

You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Djibouti you should seek immediate medical attention.

HIV/AIDS is widespread in Djibouti. See our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Djibouti and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Climate

From May to October the climate is very hot and dry. Below average rainfall in the past four years means many regions in East Africa area experiencing a severe drought including Djibouti. You may experience difficulties travelling overland. Local services and the availability of food and water could be affected.

For more general health information see our Travel Health, Swine Flu and Avian and Pandemic Influenza pages.

Natural disasters

Djibouti is in an active volcanic and earthquake zone.

General

Insurance

Ensure that you take out adequate medical insurance before arrival and carry a comprehensive medical pack. Medical insurance should cover the cost of air ambulance evacuation out of Djibouti in the event of serious accident or illness. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. Please see our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overses then see our When Things Go Wrong page.

Consular assistance

There is no British Embassy in Djibouti. The British Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is responsible for Britain's relations with Djibouti.

The Honorary Consul in Djibouti, Mr Alain Martinet, can offer only limited assistance. The British Embassy in Addis Ababa handles most consular cases and renewals of passports; however the Honorary Consul can accept passport applications and forward them to Addis Ababa.

Registration

British nationals living and working in Djibouti should register with the Consulate on first arrival. Those who are already registered should make sure that their details are kept up to date.

Consular Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

Money

Credit cards are accepted at only a very few outlets in Djibouti and it is not possible to obtain currency advances against a credit card. Visitors should ensure they have an adequate supply of hard currency or travellers' cheques.

Contacts

Djibouti, British Honorary Consul

Address:

British Honorary Consul
P O Box 169
Rue de Djibouti
Djibouti

Telephone:

(00253) (3) 85007

Fax:

(00253) (3) 52543

Email: martinet@intnet.dj

Office hours:

(GMT) Sun – Thurs: 12:00 – 01:00
Local Time: 0900 - 1200