Panorama of Lac Assal, Djibouti

Djibouti – Salt Lakes and Whale Sharks

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

6 Days

Prices Start from

$4,083pp(ex. flights)

Explore Djibouti’s riches – both on land and in the sea. Combine swimming alongside whale sharks with the chance to visit the geological wonders of the country’s interior and to revel in the rich Afro-Arabian culture. Pocket-sized and too often overlooked, Djibouti offers an experience that is hard to find elsewhere.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Snorkelling with a Whale Shark, Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico 1

Swim with Whale Sharks

Swim and snorkel in the Gulf of Tadjourah beside the world’s largest fish.

Sunset over Lac Abbe, Djibouti 2

Landscape of Lac Abbe

Explore the magical landscape of the remote Lac Abbe.

Assal Lake, Djibouti 3

Salt Lake

Visit the lowest point in Africa, the incredibly saline Lac Assal.

Henna tattooing, Djibouti 4

City Tour

Experience Djibouti City – a melting pot of culture, cuisine and architecture.

Why we like it

This trip provides a wonderful introduction to this unfamiliar, yet fascinating country. Accommodation at the Djibouti Palace is as comfortable as the landscape is wild, whilst the joys of swimming with whale sharks contrast wonderfully with the ethereal landscapes of the Djiboutian lakes. A real melting pot of cultures and experiences, this journey is not quite like any other.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1 - 2

    Djibouti City

  • Day 3

    Djibouti City - Lac Abbe - Djibouti City

  • Day 4

    Djibouti City - Lac Assal - Djibouti City

  • Day 5

    Djibouti City - Foret du Day - Tadjourah - Djibouti City

  • Day 6

    Djibouti City

Day 1 - 2

Djibouti City

Henna tattooing, Djibouti

City Tour

Experience Djibouti City – a melting pot of culture, cuisine and architecture.

Day 3

Djibouti City - Lac Abbe - Djibouti City

Sunset over Lac Abbe, Djibouti

Landscape of Lac Abbe

Explore the magical landscape of the remote Lac Abbe.

Day 4

Djibouti City - Lac Assal - Djibouti City

Assal Lake, Djibouti

Salt Lake

Visit the lowest point in Africa, the incredibly saline Lac Assal.

Day 5

Djibouti City - Foret du Day - Tadjourah - Djibouti City

Day 6

Djibouti City

Snorkelling with a Whale Shark, Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Swim with Whale Sharks

Swim and snorkel in the Gulf of Tadjourah beside the world’s largest fish.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Swimming pool, Djibouti Palace Kempinski, Djibouti City
Djibouti Palace Kempinski, Djibouti, Djibouti

Djibouti City

Use Djibouti City as a base for exploring this tiny country, staying at the comfortable and modern Djibouti Palace Kempinski. Although relatively large, this well-designed hotel is the best option when staying in Djibouti.

With sights only a day trip away, have the chance to see a huge amount in a short time. Begin with a relaxed tour of the capital city itself, where a smorgasbord of cultures, languages and ethnicities fill the busy streets. Explore the African and European quarters – rich in contrasting styles of architecture.

Whale shark, Djibouti
Whale shark, Djibouti

Whale Sharks

Set out by boat in search of whale sharks. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, swimming and snorkelling beside these incredible creatures is almost indescribable. It is only during the cooler winter months that these epipelagic fish visit to feed in the Gulf of Tadjourah, arriving in such numbers that they are rarely elusive.

Chimney shape rock formations, Lac Abbe, Djibouti
Lac Abbe, Djibouti

Lac Abbe and Lac Assal

Leaving the coast behind, head inland to explore Djibouti’s remarkable interior. Admire the impressive landscape of Lac Abbe – dotted with steam-belching stone chimneys, as well as the vast salt pans of the iconic Lac Assal – the lowest point on the continent.

Finish the trip with an exploration of the northern forest and mountains. More lushly vegetated and home to millennium-old woodlands, this region contrasts wonderfully with the arid south.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Djibouti Palace Kempinski £££££

  • Djibouti

Situated on a peaceful peninsula that juts out into the warm waters of the Gulf of Tadjourah, the impressive Djibouti Palace is located just outside the hubbub of the city. Housing 320 elegantly decorated rooms, this property is perfectly positioned for exploring the tiny country of Djibouti. The hotel makes the most of its seaside location and offers relaxed views across this sheltered portion of the Red Sea.

View Property

A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From $4,083 Per person

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