A trip to Lac Assal

An essential time-out when visiting Djibouti is the northern region, Lac Assal and Tadjoura. Although it takes some effort to face the temperatures going beyond 40°C, the sights witnessed are quite impressive: geological wonders, different populations, INSANE views and picture opportunities abound and ensure that you come back with your eyes full of memories and questions... For a full picture gallery, check out the page on

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Natural beauty

The largely undeveloped area outside of Djibouti-Ville gives you an incredible opportunity to find amazing sceneries when you take a step outside of the city.

Although I would not (and did not) swim in this lake (about 4 times more salty than sea water (have a look at the white coastline), the view is simply impressive! No roads, no houses, no signs, no marketing; the wild aspect of the area is extremely resting and relaxing. Even more relaxing, the incredible silence that hangs all around. No birds, no sounds of civilisation, just an occasional gush of wind to remind you that you are not on the moon (is there wind on the moon? http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_there_wind_on_the_moon). In fact, without the ever-present temperature, one could think he/she was in the Scottish highlands.

Geological richness

Don't worry, it's not (yet) 2012. But the once very high volcanic activity in the area is ever present: Have a look at the lava fields, or the mountains where lava is gradually eroded by the wind, the sun or even the rare but powerful rains that strike the land. Again: it's all hapening here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.246247112056411.83801.100000133736262&l=df35fdf7ec.

One of the most impressive experiences was the hot pots, these warm holes on/in which you could cook an egg. Despite the lunar ambiance reigning in these more deserted areas, the beauty and the calm are something to experience!


Cultural diversity & tourism

My most pleasant experience in the area was the feeling that I was not in a highly touristic area, that, for once, my visit was not organised, planned and thought of by a tourism department somewhere.

Certainly, the fact that some areas have tables with touristic artifacts (rapidly manned by enthousiastic 'nomad' tribes upon the arrival of a car) does show that tourism helps these people earn some income by selling minerals or salt. My most beautiful memory of the understanding of tourism by the local population: have a look, for example at the guy below who 'spontaneously' showed us how he uses balls of salt to count goats and camels or even to predict the future at the shade of our 4*4 Toyota.


Call it sustainable tourism, but I'm convinced that NOW is the time to visit Lac Assal, before mineral or touristic exploitation, western style, visits first!