Tiny, but ambitious: this is Djibouti. Despite its lack of natural resources, the country tries hard to be recognised as a little Dubai in the Red Sea. Djibouti is an ideal spot to recharge your batteries before (or after) an overland trip through Eritrea or Ethiopia.

Climate of Djibouti:
Djibouti is among the hottest places on earth. June, July, and August are stifling, with temperatures reaching as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit (45C). To compound matters, humidity levels can be high, and dust-filled winds blow in from the interior of the continent. Try to avoid travel at these times, especially if you want to venture into inland regions.

Temperatures are significantly cooler from November through early April, averaging about 77F (25C). There are occasional showers, though rain levels are low by most standards even during the "wet" months. Try to schedule your visit for these times. Conditions for scuba diving are also best during this time since waters in the Gulf of Tadjoura are the clearest then.

If possible, avoid visiting during the month of Ramadan, when offices, shops, and restaurants tend to operate on curtailed hours. Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar and changes from year to year.

ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN DJIBOUTI:

Ali Sabieh
One of the country's four provincial capitals, Ali-Sabieh lies in the highlands southwest of Djibouti. The drive to Ali-Sabieh is really the reason to go: you'll cross the Petit Bara and Grand Bara, both of which are curiously desolate plains that will fascinate any desert aficionado. Once you arrive in Ali-Sabieh, visit the lively central marketplace, or try your hard at wheel-driven wind-surfing on a nearby salt plain.

Aquarium Tropical de Djibouti
Whether or not you plan to go diving in the Red Sea, visit Djibouti's national aquarium for an introduction to the sea's flora and fauna. Two large tanks display the surprisingly rich variety of life that flourishes in the waters that, ironically, lap up against one of the world's most desolate regions.

Arta
Expatriates escape the rigors of Djibouti's summer heat in this resort in the hills west of the capital city. Don't expect to find legitimately cool temperatures, but the elevation does take some of the edge out of the heat, at the same time providing views of the nearby Gulf of Tadjoura. It's a great place to meet disaffected foreigners, and you can get a good meal at the restaurant connected to Djibouti's hotelier school.

Diving in the Gulf of Tadjoura
From September through May, the waters of the Gulf of Tadjoura are remarkably clear, and veterans report that it's an excellent place for scuba-diving as well as spear-fishing and underwater photography. The gulf contains a series of coral reefs packed with a large variety of tropical fish. You can book a tour from l'Escale in Djibouti.

DJIBOUTI
Both the capital and principle city, Djibouti comprises an interesting mix of Arab, African, and French influences. Walk through the center of town, where the lively Marche Central (Central Market) does a brisk business in qat leaves, which arrive daily from Ethiopia and serve as a mild stimulate like caffeine or nicotine. Walk down to l'Escale, or the harbor, where traditional dhows, or fishing boats, bring in their catch.

Dorale and Khor-Ambad Beaches
Located just outside of the city of Djibouti, these two excellent white-sand beaches are some of the best in the Red Sea region and make a great day-trip from the capital. The water is warm and the skies sunny. For an interesting side trip, rent a boat from either Djibouti City or the beaches and visit the islands of Maskali and Moucha, which lie at the mouth of the Gulf of Tadjoura.

Four-Wheeling in the Interior Desert
A drive into the interior of Djibouti reveals a barren yet fascinating world. If you drive southwest from Djibouti, you enter a strange, almost apocalyptic landscape of volcanic boulders where only the hardiest species survive. You'll need a four-wheel vehicle because of primitive road conditions and blowing dust, but for your efforts you'll gain an appreciation of the tribal people who manage to eke a living out of this forbidding land.

Lake Abbe
Located on the western border with Ethiopia, Lake Abbe is an unearthly place. Strange pointed rocks, formed by the accretion of mineral deposits from underground springs, jut out off the lake and the shore surrounding it. Try to see the lake at dawn, when flocks of flamingoes come for refreshment from the desert heat. Stay in the hilltop town of Dikhil to the east of the lake. It is built amid rugged terrain that supports a surprisingly large population of antelopes, hyenas, and jackal.

Lake Assal
Everything about Lake Assal is unusual, beginning with the fact that its surface is some 492 feet (150m) below sea level. The lake's waters are extremely salty, and its banks are coated crystalline-whitewash consisting of salt and gypsum. The dormant volcanoes that ring the lake have left large expanses of black lava, completing the surreal effect.

Tadjoura
A short ferry-ride from the city of Djibouti across the Gulf of Tadjoura, Tadjoura is one of the country's most picturesque towns. Situated right on the Gulf but backed by some of Djibouti's highest mountains (some of which reach almost 4,000 feet or 1,200m), Tadjoura offers both sea and mountain views. The town also makes a good base from which to explore the Goda Mountains just to the north, where you can visit a fascinating petrified forest.

Visas
Required by all nationals of countries transit passengers not disembarking and continuing their journey by the same aircraft or ship. To obtain visa at least three working days required. but the Embassy advises getting your visa at least one month in advance of travel to Djibouti.

Warning
Travelers should be aware of the threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners. Visitors should be aware of the risk of banditry if traveling outside the capital city.