Safety and emergencies
Areas advised against, risks on the road and in town, scams and numbers to keep with you. Advice varies with the country that publishes it.
Areas advised against
You can travel freely in the country, but land and sea borders should be avoided: the Eritrean border is strongly advised against (also by the UK), as are the road to Loyada beyond the Decan refuge and the Seven Brothers archipelago outside approved excursions. Somaliland is strongly advised against.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: warnings and insuranceThe army controls access north of the Balho-Adaïlou-Ouaddi-Godoria road; Oued Kalou and Mount Moussa Ali are off-limits, even to tourists. Comply calmly at checkpoints.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, safetySailing in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is strongly advised against (piracy). Yachts should notify the embassy and obtain their visa at the port.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, safetyFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, entry and residence
Terrorism and kidnapping
No attack in Djibouti City since 2014, but stay alert in places used by expatriates, the historic centre and near military and port sites.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, safety
On the road
Do not drive at night (no lighting, animals, barely visible barbed-wire roadblocks). The road to Ethiopia is dangerous (trucks). Off tarmac: 4x4, at least two vehicles, spare fuel, a guide in the north and at Lake Abbe. A French licence is valid for 6 months.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful informationGOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: safety and security
Useful contacts
Contact details taken from the official sources cited. Check them before going.
Emergency numbers
Police 17, fire 18.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contactsGOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026
Central police station
Police, Djibouti.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
National gendarmerie
Gendarmerie, Djibouti.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Embassy of France in Djibouti
Passport: FranceFrench embassy, also covering Eritrea.
Boulevard Idriss Omar Guelleh, BP 2039, Djibouti+33 3 59 39 70 03France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, safety · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: warnings and insurance · Source updated: July 27, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, entry and residence · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful information · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: safety and security · Source updated: July 27, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
AfriPilot is not an official body. Information comes from the sources cited and may change: each source's date is shown.