When to go · Djibouti
Djibouti in January
Great month. Cool season peak and whale sharks in the Gulf of Tadjoura; book boats and 4x4s early.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- Medium
- Djibouti
- Prices
- High
- Djibouti
Verdict
Cool season peak and whale sharks in the Gulf of Tadjoura; book boats and 4x4s early.
Is another month better than January?
No other month rates higher than January for Djibouti in this guide.
Weather in January
- Coast and gulf · Djibouti City, Tadjoura, Obock, Mouchabest weather
Warm and humid in winter (25–30 °C (77–86 °F)); summer highs of 40 °C (104 °F) and more with dust-laden khamsin winds.Warm and humid in winter (77–86 °F (25–30 °C)); summer highs of 104 °F (40 °C) and more with dust-laden khamsin winds.
- Inland depressions and desert · Lac Assal, Grand Bara, Lac Abbébest weather
Even in winter, midday is hot on the salt; in summer Lac Assal can exceed 50 °C (122 °F).Even in winter, midday is hot on the salt; in summer Lac Assal can exceed 122 °F (50 °C).
- Goda and Mabla mountains · Day Forest, Randabest weather
Cooler at 1,000–1,500 m, with juniper forest and occasional winter showers.
- Djibouti City29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 1 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 1 rain days
- Moucha Island29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 3 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year's Day
1 Jan
Public holiday.
Isra and Mi'raj
Jan–Feb (lunar — check)
Public holiday.
Cool season and whale shark season
Nov–Feb · Djibouti City
The best months for the lakes and the gulf; prices rise.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Djibouti
- Medium
- Prices · Djibouti
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Djibouti, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Crowds
Jan: Medium
Feb: Medium
Prices
Jan: High
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 3
Feb: 2
January: Cool season peak and whale sharks in the Gulf of Tadjoura; book boats and 4x4s early.
February: Still pleasant; whale sharks thin out towards the end of the month.
Djibouti: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in January
Rated best or good this month
Coast and gulf
Best weather of the year (Djibouti City, Tadjoura, Obock, Moucha)
Inland depressions and desert
Best weather of the year (Lac Assal, Grand Bara, Lac Abbé)
Goda and Mabla mountains
Best weather of the year (Day Forest, Randa)
Cool season; best month.
Best months: Oct–May