Swimming with Whale Sharks, exploring natural phenomena like the salt lake, Lac Assal, and relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Plage des Sables Blancs. It's what all good holidays are made of! All meals are included.
The best travel time for this trip is November - early February due to whale shark season
Upon arrival to Djibouti City a representative from Matoke Tours will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel.
Depending on the time of your arrival you will have the opportunity to explore the city. The hotel is conveniently located about 5 minutes’ drive from down town and a 10 minutes’ drive from the central market. In the evening you will have the chance to discover Yemeni food at a traditional restaurant in town. (Activities and meals in Djibouti City today are at your own expense).
For the next two nights you will stay at Les Acacias Hotel, located in the heart of Djibouti, within walking distance of Djibouti Palace. The hotel sits on a small stretch of private beach, overlooking the warm turquoise sea. The hotel has a pool with a sea view.
| Journey time | 30 mins |
| Accommodation | Les Acacias Hotel |
| Meal plan | Dinner |
After breakfast today, you will be picked up and driven down to the port where you will board a private boat. Your journey will take you 1.5 hrs down the shoreline to Arta Beach where you will get the amazing opportunity to swim with whale sharks!
Snorkeling amongst the giant, yet gentle, whale sharks is an experience of a lifetime. During the peak season between November and early February visitors are almost always guaranteed a sighting of these stunning aquatic species. If you are not interested in snorkeling with the whale sharks let us know and we can arrange for snorkeling in another area near Arta Beach.
You will have lunch on Arta Beach and return to your hotel in Djibouti City in the evening.
| Journey time | 3 hours return boat trip |
| Accommodation | Les Acacias Hotel |
| Meal plan | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
* Note : The best travel time for this activity will be between November and early February, due to the Whale Shark season in Djibouti. Get in touch with one of our agents to discuss alternative activities for this day, if you wish to travel between February and October by sending an email to contact@matoketours.com
After an early breakfast at your hotel you will depart on the 2-hour drive to one of Djibouti’s national treasures; Lac Assal.
This crater lake sits 155 meters below sea level, making it the lowest point on the African continent and the third lowest point in the world. The hot environment (with temperatures exceeding 50C degrees in the summer) has evaporated some of the water, leaving a wide white salt bed around the green-blue waters. Above this the black rock of the surrounding dormant volcanos make a stark contrast to the gleaming shores.
The lake was linked to Ethiopia through caravan routes created by salt trading Afar nomads. Salt extraction from the shores of the crater lake is still carried out to this day. If you are keen you can get in and float on the surface of this extremely salty lake.
Your next stop is about 1.5 hours away in the city of Tadjoura. Tadjoura is the cultural center of the Afar Sultanate and the city is known for its gleaming white buildings and its many mosques.
You will end the day at your hotel 20 minutes down the shoreline from Tadjoura on the white sandy beaches of Plage des Sables Blanc. Your hotel is located right on what is considered to be the best beach in all of Djibouti. Here you can relax at your hotel, have a swim in the sea and admire the beautiful sunset over the Red Sea.
| Journey time | 4-5 hours |
| Accommodation | Hotel Bungalows |
| Meal plan | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
Today you can spend the whole day relaxing on the beach or snorkeling in the sea.
The mesmerizing underwater life around the coral reef close to shore makes Les Sables Blanc an unforgettable experience for snorkeling and scuba diving. The area has magnificent corals and diverse species of colorful (and inquisitive) fish.
Snorkeling is included in the package.
Optional activity : Scuba diving
The cost for this activity is $450 for max. 4 people,
+ $60 per person for one dive or,
+ $85 per person for two dives
This price includes the boat, fuel, diving equipment, and an English-speaking dive instructor.
| Journey time | - |
| Accommodation | Hotel Bungalows |
| Meal plan | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
After a stunning sunrise and breakfast at the hotel you have some free time on the beach to swim or do any of the beach activities offered by the hotel.
Following lunch on the beach and a final swim in the sea you will start your return journey to Djibouti City around 3pm. After a dinner in the city you will stay at Les Acacias Hotel again for your final night in Djibouti.
| Journey time | 3 hours |
| Accommodation | Les Acacias Hotel |
| Meal plan | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
After breakfast your guide will drive you to the airport to catch your international flight back home.
Thank you for discovering Djibouti with Matoke Tours! We hope you have enjoyed your trip.
Click here, For more information on rates and details of this trip.
If you want to see more of this beautiful part of Africa, you can decide to extend your trip to another country in the region.
Click here for more info.
You can download this tour by clicking on the "download this tour" button. Want to ask more questions? Go ahead!
