6 Unique Tourist Spots in Djibouti: From ‘Planet of the Apes’ Filming Locations to Coral Islands

The Republic of Djibouti, located in northeastern Africa, is often referred to as the Horn of Africa and holds a key position at the entrance of the Red Sea. Its land area is approximately 1.3 times the size of Shikoku, with a population of around 900,000. Djibouti gained independence from France in 1977. Djibouti is famous for its emerald-green seas! In the Red Sea, a diver’s dream destination, you might even encounter whale sharks. With its moon-like Lake Abbe, the highly saline Lake Assal (salt concentration of about 35%), deserts, and forests inhabited by rare animals, Djibouti offers a variety of fascinating attractions. For nature lovers, it is a must-visit location. Here are six of Djibouti’s top tourist spots for you to explore.

1. Lake Assal

The crater lake “Lake Assal” is the third-largest salt lake in the world. When you think of a salt lake, you might remember the Dead Sea in the Middle East. Floating in the Dead Sea, with its salt concentration of about 30%, is well-known. However, the salt concentration of Lake Assal surpasses the Dead Sea at about 35%!

Why does such a salt lake exist in Djibouti? Seawater flows into Lake Assal from the Gulf of Tadjoura, located about 10 kilometers to the east. Lake Assal has an elevation of about -153 meters. Just as high mountains have cold temperatures, lower elevations experience higher temperatures. The seawater, trapped with no outlet, evaporates rapidly under high temperatures and the blazing sun, leaving behind highly salty water. The shores of the lake are covered with small salt crystals, appearing like snow from a distance.

The salt from Lake Assal is an important source of income for the surrounding nomads, and the harvested salt is transported by camel caravans to Ethiopia. The small, pearl-like salt crystals are cute and make great souvenirs.

Lake Assal is about 120 kilometers from Djibouti City and takes approximately 1.5 hours by car. The roads are paved, making it a perfect day-trip destination.

2. Lake Abhe

Lake Abhe, located on the border between Djibouti and Ethiopia, is one of six salt lakes in the region. Limestone chimneys resembling smokestacks emit sulfur-smelling steam and hot springs, creating an otherworldly scene. The landscape resembles the surface of the moon or another planet, making it a filming location for Planet of the Apes.

The water level of Lake Abhe has decreased due to irrigation from the Awash River, exposing dry parts and muddy lakebeds that visitors can walk on. In the early morning, you might spot flocks of flamingos flying in from Kenya in search of food.

To reach Lake Abhe, you need to take a 4WD vehicle for over five hours from Djibouti City. Many visitors join a 1-night, 2-day tour that includes Lake Assal. You can camp near Lake Abhe’s unique rock formations, gaze at the starry night sky, and enjoy the sunrise amidst Djibouti’s natural beauty.

3. The Grand Bara Desert

The Grand Bara Desert, located near the border with Ethiopia, is a basin surrounded by granite mountains at an altitude of approximately 760 meters. Due to its high elevation, the daytime heat is not very severe, making it popular with tourists visiting Djibouti. You can also see rock paintings of giraffes, believed to have been drawn around 5,000 years ago. If you’re lucky, you may spot wild gazelles running through the dusty desert!

Every December, the Grand Bara Desert Marathon is held. It is a straight 15-kilometer course built in the desert, where the finish line can be seen from the starting point. Even in winter, the daytime temperature exceeds 30 degrees, so the race starts at 6 a.m. before sunrise, a unique feature of Djibouti.

4. Moucha Island

Moucha Island, located about 30 minutes by boat from the port of Djibouti and about 10 kilometers north in the Tadjourah Bay, offers a cobalt-blue sea with beautiful coral reefs where you can enjoy diving, snorkeling, and fishing. You can relax on the beach or have a barbecue and enjoy a resort-like atmosphere.

Surprisingly, Moucha Island also has a mangrove forest. After playing in the sea, why not look for creatures living in the mangroves? Although close to Djibouti City, Moucha Island offers experiences entirely different from the African mainland.

5. Arta Beach

Driving about 1.5 hours west along the coast from Djibouti City, you’ll find “Arta Beach.” This is a tourist spot where you can see a variety of marine life. You can also enjoy snorkeling to view colorful tropical fish frolicking in the expansive coral reefs. Species such as Napoleon fish, shrimp, squid, anemones, and large sea urchins are abundant. In deeper waters, you may encounter large sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins.

What makes Arta Beach most famous is the whale sharks that come near the Djibouti coast from November to February to feed. Swimming alongside these 10-meter-long whale sharks is a rare experience.

6. Day Forest

In northern Djibouti, there is a mountain range that reaches up to 2,000 meters. Spreading along its slopes is Djibouti’s only forest, the “Day Forest” (Foret de Day). This area is home to zebras and leopards, making it a place where you can feel the essence of Africa.

Once Djibouti’s oldest national park, sadly, the forest has suffered a 90% loss over the past two centuries due to climate changes and environmental destruction. Leopards and warthogs have disappeared, and it is uncertain whether endangered Somali wild asses still inhabit the area.

The destruction of the forest led to its declassification as a national park in the early 1990s. Recently, efforts to conserve it have begun, giving hope for its preservation.

◎Summary

The Republic of Djibouti in Africa is known for its extreme heat, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, Djibouti is a land of unimaginable scorching weather. If you’re planning to visit, the period from November to February is recommended when the climate is relatively more bearable. With an abundance of diving spots, you’re sure to fall in love with the beauty of the Red Sea once you dive in. Why not visit this warm and hospitable country and experience its unique charm?

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6 Unique Tourist Spots in Djibouti: From ‘Planet of the Apes’ Filming Locations to Coral Islands