Djibouti is a small country at the mouth of the Red Sea, and many visitors pass through for work at its port or its foreign military bases. Those who stay explore the salt flats of Lake Assal, the limestone chimneys of Lake Abbé and the Gulf of Tadjoura, where whale sharks gather in the cooler months. Djibouti is outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so a European SIM roams there at its operator's own rates.
Key facts for Djibouti
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: varies by plan
- Emergency numbers: police 17 or 999; fire and ambulance 18
- Embassies: in Djibouti City
Border areas and landmines
The UK advises against all travel to the border with Eritrea, and the US advises reconsidering travel within 10 miles of it in the Tadjoura and Obock regions; you need government approval to travel north of Obock. Unmarked landmines may lie near the Eritrean border and in the border areas with Ethiopia and Somalia, so stay on paved roads. Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Djibouti, and Al-Shabaab has issued public threats against the country.
Djibouti City
Coverage is good in Djibouti City. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag-snatching and theft from vehicles, is the main risk, so avoid walking alone, especially after dark, keep cameras and passports out of sight and lock your car doors. Photographing ports, public buildings, airports, military sites and bridges is prohibited, and your equipment can be confiscated.
The desert, the sea and the roads
Outside the city, coverage is limited and temperatures are extremely high, especially from May to September, so carry plenty of water and travel with a local operator. Many heavy trucks use the main road to Ethiopia, some vehicles have no lights and livestock wander onto the roads, and police use wire coils as roadblocks that are hard to see at night, so avoid driving outside the city after dark. Khat chewing contributes to reckless driving. There is a significant risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, so sailors should check the latest maritime advice.
Laws to know
Khat is legal, but drunken behaviour can lead to two years in prison. Same-sex relations are not illegal, but public displays of affection can fall foul of laws on good morals. During Ramadan, do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in daytime, and dress modestly.
Paying
The currency is the Djiboutian franc, and Djibouti runs on cash: cards are accepted at major hotels and supermarkets, cash machines are limited and often out of order, and Visa is more widely recognised than Mastercard. Vendors and banks that take US dollars accept only notes printed after 2009 and in excellent condition.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installed before your trip connects when you land in Djibouti, and your home SIM stays available for texts and bank codes. An Africa plan also covers Ethiopia and Kenya.
Djiboutian SIM cards are sold by Djibouti Telecom, the national operator, in its shops, and you need your passport to buy one.
Consular protection: who to call in Djibouti
- Call 17 or 999 for the police and 18 for the fire brigade or an ambulance.
- Embassies are in Djibouti City. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If your EU country has no embassy or consulate in Djibouti, any other EU country's embassy must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- The app has emergency phrases in French, one of Djibouti's official languages, ready to show on screen.
Questions travellers ask about Djibouti
Does my EU plan work in Djibouti?
No. Djibouti is outside Roam Like at Home, so your operator's own roaming rates apply.
Can I travel to the north of the country?
Only with government approval north of Obock, and the UK advises against all travel to the Eritrean border.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Djibouti?
It depends on the plan, with 4G where available.
What are the emergency numbers?
17 or 999 for the police and 18 for the fire brigade or an ambulance.
The short version
Install the eSIM before departure, carry Djiboutian francs or clean US dollar notes, keep your camera away from official sites, stay on paved roads near the borders, and save 17 and 18.
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