Best Time to Visit Djibouti

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  • JanAvg Daily: 29 ° CAvg Nightly: 23 ° C
  • FebAvg Daily: 29 ° CAvg Nightly: 24 ° C
  • MarAvg Daily: 31 ° CAvg Nightly: 25 ° C
  • AprAvg Daily: 32 ° CAvg Nightly: 26 ° C
  • MayAvg Daily: 34 ° CAvg Nightly: 28 ° C
  • JunAvg Daily: 38 ° CAvg Nightly: 30 ° C
  • JulAvg Daily: 41 ° CAvg Nightly: 31 ° C
  • AugAvg Daily: 39 ° CAvg Nightly: 29 ° C
  • SepAvg Daily: 36 ° CAvg Nightly: 29 ° C
  • OctAvg Daily: 33 ° CAvg Nightly: 27 ° C
  • NovAvg Daily: 31 ° CAvg Nightly: 25 ° C
  • DecAvg Daily: 28 ° CAvg Nightly: 23 ° C
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Djibouti, a country entrenched in the heart of Africa, is kissed by the sweltering heat for most of the year. It may be a perfect destination for the adventure enthusiasts in all of us with the wildlife refuges of Decan, the well-preserved rock engravings of the Abourma rock art site, and the hustle and bustle of Djibouti city. Djibouti boasts of a rich and varied African cultural heritage and Ethiopian culinary delights with year-round tropical and eternal sunny weather. That being said as with most countries, it may be critical to find out that the weather in Djibouti is right when you visit, after all. Want to know when to visit Djibouti? Read on to find out!

Lac 'Assal in Djibouti
The islands on Lac 'Assal are lake water that evaporated over the years.

QUICK FACTS

  • High Season: November - January
  • Low Season: May - September
  • All Seasons: November - January, May - September, February - April / October.
  • The best time to visit Djibouti is between November to January when the weather is comparatively cooler as these are the winter months for Djibouti. Djibouti does not get frigidly cold, and the months of November to January are quite pleasant and inviting especially for outdoor activities.
  • The low season is between May to September when the summer is at its sweltering peak.
  • The shoulder periods of Djibouti from February to April are also good times to visit as the climate is in transition from winter to summer, making the days progressively hotter. The opposite happens in October, also considered a shoulder month where the climate braces itself for the oncoming winter.

Djibouti, you will find may have something for everyone, from its national parks to the hubbub of the cities and their Ethiopian culture to the arts and artifacts entrenched in heritage and history. it has many things to offer, from the many national parks to the mountain ranges. Revel in the sights of the Petit Barra and the great Barra, a vast desert land full of white sand like clay that has to be seen to be experienced, or the culinary delights of Mukbassa Central. Allow Djibouti to call out to you and quench your thirst for the perfect holiday!

The months of November to January are when most of the crowds head to Djibouti. The temperatures are much more controlled and cooler than what Djibouti normally expects. This is the peak tourist season for those who are traveling to popular destinations, like Djibouti city and Decan National Park.

The shoulder season, between February and April, is the second best time to visit Djibouti. The weather is usually pleasant, with averages gearing up for the summer, with dry spells and occasional showers. This makes it an excellent time to visit as the tourist numbers are more controllable, making it easier to get accommodation without booking months in advance.

SEASONAL OVERVIEW

November to January — Winter Season / High Season

Salt Caravan at Lac Assal, Djibouti
Salt extracted at Lac Assal by local Afar nomad tribes is transported to Ethiopia in a camel caravan.

The weather in Djibouti is rather pleasant, tending to be cooler than most months owing to the impending weather. During these months, there is a good mix of sunny skies with cool temperatures. It maybe a good time to visit for outdoor activities, especially with this being the best season for watching whale sharks off the coastlines.

  • Avg. Temperature: 77 – 80° F / 25 – 27° C (in Djibouti City)
  • Rainfall: 10 – 150 mm
  • Season: Winter
  • Highlights: The wildlife refuge of Decan maybe a good place to visit in these months. Easily accessible from Djibouti city, while this may not be a Zoo in and of itself, it is a self-contained national reserve with its own ecosystem. Decan is home to much of Djibouti’s wildlife which includes, but is certainly not limited to cheetahs, lions, ostriches, donkeys, camels, kudus, and zebras. Decan also is a popular spot for birders as they now have a dedicated bird-watching area within the confines of the reserve.

February to April — Spring Season / Good Season

Sunset at Ras Siyan
The sky in Ras Siyan, Oback Region, displays magnificent hues of orange during the golden sunset hours.

February to April and the month of October are considered transition months for the weather of Djibouti. Towards February is when the weather slowly changes gears from winter to summer. While this may not be considered a direct spring season, this may be the closest thing Djibouti has to spring, and this is easily the second-best time to visit Djibouti. In October, the reverse happens with the weather getting cooler and gearing up toward winter. This gives you good chances to visit Djibouti without having to wrestle with some of the crowds during some of the other seasons.

  • Avg. Temperature: 78 – 83° F / 26 – 23° C (in Djibouti City)
  • Rainfall: 10 – 25 mm
  • Season: Spring
  • Highlights: This is a great season for you to explore the various cultural offerings Djibouti has to provide. The Abourma Rock site is an archaeological site that was dug up as recently as 2008. In the Abourma rock site, you will find well-preserved rock engravings all the way back to the Neolithic Age, which feature both complexities as well as a rich variety.

May to September — Summer Season / Low Season

Aerial view of Salty Lake Assal, Djibouti
Lake Assal is a saline lake located in the Afar Triangle and is the lowest point on land in Africa.

Djibouti’s summer may usually last between May to September, and caution must be exercised during these months as it can get unbearably hot with average temperatures in July going up to 97 degrees F. While temperatures always tend to the higher side in Djibouti, these months are when the brunt of summer can be experienced.

  • Avg. Temperature: 87 – 97° F / 31 – 36° C (in Djibouti City)
  • Rainfall: 10 – 20 mm
  • Season: Summer
  • Highlights: This may be a good time of the year to sample some of the culinary delicacies that Djibouti has to offer. Chez Yousuff may be a good place to check out for their Mokbassa, which is a puree of honey and dates traditionally served with a fish such as Poisson Yemenite which may be oven-baked, along with a hearty bread. Chez Yousuff may be a colorful ramshackle of a building, but this just contributes to the charm of the entire experience.
Published by Will Cooper, updated on September 13, 2022
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