How to Find Hotels in Djibouti

The Republic of Djibouti, a small desert country in the Horn of Africa, is an uncommon tourist destination where a traveler is sure to find adventure. About two thirds of the nation's population lives in the capital city; most of the remainder are nomadic herders who tend their sheep, goats and cows on the small percentage of pastureland in Djibouti.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phrasebooks for at least one of the languages spoken in Djibouti.

Plan Your Itinerary

1. Take a ferry between Djibouti City, Obock and Tadjoura.

2. Learn about leather tanning, one of the major industries of Djibouti.

3. Purchase a rug or an animal hide at one of Djibouti's open-air markets.

4. Visit a date palm farm for a sweet treat. The scarcity of rain in Djibouti makes extensive farming impossible, but dates are cultivated in small areas where irrigation is available.

Find the Right Accommodations

5. Choose a hotel in Djibouti City. As the country's only urban center, the capital city is where you need to look for the comforts of a modern hotel.

6. Stay near Djibouti's national airport at the south end of Djibouti City to make travel to outlying areas easier.

7. Arrange for accommodations on a fishing boat to enjoy the crisp smell of salty air and the taste of fresh fish.

8. Camp out under the sky in the unsettled desert or the small areas of pastureland where herders graze their livestock.

9. Find a hotel near one of Djibouti's ports, which are essential to the country's livelihood. Djibouti produces only about 5% of the food it needs, so it relies heavily on imports and exports.

10. Peruse the tourism page of Djibouti Telecom's Web site to see the options available to you, then use a travel agent or an online travel site to book your hotel in advance.

Tips & Warnings

• The official languages of Djibouti are French and Arabic, but Somali and Afar are more commonly spoken. Study up before you go and have a few useful phrases at the ready to make communication with the locals easier.
• Know the exchange rate. Roughly 170 Djibouti francs are equivalent to one American dollar. Financial transactions made during your trip will go more smoothly if you can do approximate conversions quickly.
• Be climate conscious. The vast majority of Djibouti is volcanic desert. It is a hot, humid country with year-round temperatures averaging 90 degrees. Make sure to pack appropriate clothing and stay well hydrated while you're there.