Djibouti

Recommended Vaccinations For Djibouti

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Polio Vaccine

Travellers who intend to visit this country for 4 weeks or more may be required to show proof of polio vaccination taken 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Failure to produce this documentation may result in vaccination at the entry ports. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk for yellow fever in this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Djibouti

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Djibouti

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Djibouti through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Djibouti.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Djibouti. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in this country.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was detected in this country, with the potential risk of global circulation. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers are at a higher risk if they come in direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas with poor hygiene standards.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk for yellow fever in this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Djibouti. Travellers to Djibouti are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

African Tick Bite Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in this country and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Djibouti, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Malaria

All areas of Djibouti are at high risk for malaria.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Djibouti. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Djibouti

Personal Safety

Crime levels in Djibouti remain relatively low compared to neighboring countries, though petty crime including pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs regularly. Criminals target crowded areas and popular tourist locations, with risks increasing significantly after dark. Reports of bandit groups operating in lawless areas outside Djibouti City mean you should avoid isolated coastal areas like Dorale and Khor Ambado beaches, particularly at night. The capital maintains a visible police presence contributing to security, though this doesn’t eliminate all risks. Drink spiking can happen at bars and restaurants. Check that your drinks aren’t left unattended and watch them being prepared. Avoid homemade alcoholic drinks due to methanol poisoning risk. While public drunkenness is legal, it can result in a two-year prison sentence. Photography of infrastructure including ports, airports, military facilities, bridges, and public buildings is prohibited and can result in equipment confiscation and arrest. Police may stop you to review photos on your devices. Some officers have demanded tourists delete photos of run-down areas and street scenes, claiming special permits are required for photography.

Extreme Violence

Terrorists are likely to attempt attacks in Djibouti. Al Shabaab sees Djibouti and international interests as legitimate targets because the country participates in the African Union peacekeeping mission and supports the Somali government. Al Shabaab has issued public threats and claimed responsibility for a May 2014 suicide bombing at La Chaumiere restaurant in Djibouti City that killed one Turkish citizen and injured over 20 people. No terrorist incidents have been reported in Djibouti since 2014, though regional terrorist groups continue to threaten Western targets and can easily cross borders. Attacks could be indiscriminate and occur in crowded areas including hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, markets, tourist attractions, and places where foreigners gather. On December 19, 2023, the Armed Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy attacked Djiboutian Armed Forces in Tadjoura Region, injuring three soldiers. This rebel group has increased activities since 2015 with at least one attack annually and was designated a terrorist organization in October 2022. A kidnapping threat exists throughout Djibouti, especially within 10 kilometers of the Somalia border. Pirate attacks and armed robbery remain significant problems in coastal waters and the Gulf of Aden. Pirates have attacked vessels including commercial ships and held foreigners hostage for ransom.

Political Unrest

President Ismail Omar Guelleh has ruled since 1999 with no term limits. The ruling Union for a Presidential Majority uses authoritarian means to maintain its dominant position. Opposition parties face severe constraints and regularly boycott elections claiming the system is neither free nor fair. Demonstrations occur occasionally, sometimes without warning, often in response to political or economic issues. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and violent. Police regularly use violence to disperse unauthorized protests and arrest participants. Permits are required for public gatherings and are frequently denied. In June 2020, antigovernment protests erupted for several days after the arrest and alleged torture of an air force lieutenant, resulting in over 200 arrests. In February 2013, at least six people were shot dead by security forces during post-election demonstrations. Government harassment and intimidation of opposition parties, human rights groups, journalists, and activists who criticize the government is common. Several young people active on social media have been arrested. The government restricts academic conferences that might portray it unfavorably. Regional conflicts and ethnic tensions between Afars and Issa-Somalis can spill into Djibouti, occasionally resulting in violent clashes in the capital. Civil unrest or armed conflict in neighboring Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen, and Somalia can affect the security situation.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid all travel within 10 kilometers of the border with Eritrea in the Tadjoura and Obock regions due to ongoing border tensions, government restrictions, and unpredictable security. Border skirmishes have occurred in the past. Many border areas between Djibouti and both Ethiopia and Somalia lack visible demarcation and may contain unmarked landmines. While Djibouti has been declared mine-safe, this only means landmines have been identified and marked, not removed. Landmines are known to exist in northern Tadjourah and Obock districts and the southern Ali Sabieh area. Stay on paved roads in these regions. In March 2012, a child was seriously injured by a landmine near Lac Assal and Ghoubet, popular tourist destinations, about one kilometer from the paved road. Avoid remote areas including regions bordering Ethiopia and Somalia where security forces presence is low. You need permission from the Djiboutian government to travel above the 12 degree north latitude line passing through Obock. Avoid isolated coastal areas like Dorale and Khor Ambado beaches where bandit groups have been reported. Travel within 10 kilometers of the Somalia border faces high kidnapping risk. Cell phone coverage is often unavailable outside the capital. The Djibouti-Eritrea border area has military roadblocks requiring formal approval for travel.