National park · Djibouti
Day Forest National ParkParc national de la Forêt de Day
Go between November and March: pay the 1000 DJF entry, drive 1.5 h from Djibouti City to the Goda Mountains, then hike 2–3 h through the juniper forest to Mount Goda (1753 m) or the canyons; skip the park in June–September when the heat is extreme and the forest is dry.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
1939
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Djibouti ↗Buy the e-visa on the official portal before booking non-refundable trips; a visa on arrival paid in US dollar cash also exists but check it for your passport.
- Djibouti ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including if you arrive from Ethiopia.
- Djibouti ↗Plan outdoor trips for the cool season (roughly Nov–Feb); summer heat is a medical risk.
- Djibouti ↗Stay away from the Eritrean border area in the far north (Ras Doumeira, Khor Angar); governments advise against all travel there.
At a glance
- Country
- Djibouti
- Area
- 100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
- Area figures vary; the park covers roughly 100 km² of the Goda Mountains (check).
- Established
- 1939
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Djibouti City
Day Forest National Park is Djibouti's only national park, protecting the last remnant of the juniper and boxwood forest that once covered the Horn of Africa. The park sits on the Goda Mountains, a massif that rises to 1753 m and catches enough moisture to support trees over 25 m tall in a semi-desert landscape. The canyons between the peaks hold the forest; the main hike runs from the park entrance up to Mount Goda and back through the forest. Because the park is small and the forest is shrinking due to climate change, the experience is fragile — go while the trees are still there.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1939.
Size and age
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 1939
Area figures vary; the park covers roughly 100 km² of the Goda Mountains (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Djibouti City.
Why go
- The only forest in Djibouti — a juniper woodland that survives on mountain mist.
- Mount Goda (1753 m) gives views over the Gulf of Tadjoura and the Ethiopian escarpment.
- Canyons between the Goda peaks offer a cool, shaded walk in a country known for heat.
- Few visitors: you may have the trails to yourself outside weekends.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, clear; best hiking
- FebCool, clear; best hiking
- MarWarming, still good
- AprHotter, but walkable early
- MayHot; forest shade helps
- JunVery hot; dry forest
- JulExtreme heat
- AugExtreme heat
- SepStill hot; possible storms
- OctCooling; good
- NovCool, clear; best hiking
- DecCool, clear; best hiking
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (including the Djibouti francolin, if present)Oct–May · The forest is a birding spot; species vary with season (check). | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| BaboonsAll year · Common near the gate; do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| HyraxesAll year · Rock hyraxes on the canyon walls. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance and gate | Ticket booth, basic parking, start of the main trail. | Open with a ticket. |
| Day Forest (juniper woodland) | The core forest area on the slopes of Mount Goda. | On foot via the main trail. |
| Mount Goda summit | The highest point in the park at 1753 m. | On foot; the trail is steep in places. |
| Canyons | Deep gorges between the Goda peaks, with shade and occasional water. | On foot; some require scrambling. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate; the park is small and the trails are not precisely mapped.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | DJF 1,000 | person | Paid at the park gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guide no permit
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins in the park.
- Fires
- No fires; the forest is dry and fire risk is high.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the park; the nearest accommodation is in Tadjoura or Djibouti City.
- Drones
- Check with the park authorities; likely restricted (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Tadjoura
Small hotels and guesthouses in the quiet town on the Gulf of Tadjoura, about 1 h from the park.
Near the park
Djibouti City
All accommodation options, 1.5 h from the park.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Getting lost on canyon trails medium
Baboons low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park entrance and the first section of the main trail are reachable by car with short walks.
- The Mount Goda trail and canyon walks are steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- The juniper forest is shrinking due to climate change; stay on marked trails to avoid damaging the roots.
- Carry out all waste; there is no waste collection in the park.
- Support local guides from Tadjoura or Djibouti City who know the forest and its history.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Day Forest National Park?
The entry fee is about 1000 DJF (roughly 5–6 USD) per person, paid at the gate. Prices are a 2026 estimate; check with a local tour operator before you go.
What are the best hikes in Day Forest National Park?
The main trail to Mount Goda (3–4 h, moderate) is the best for views and forest. The canyon walk (2–3 h, moderate) is good for shade and rock formations. The Day Forest loop (1.5–2 h, easy) is a short option.
When is the best time to visit Day Forest National Park?
November to March is the cool and dry season, with clear skies and comfortable hiking temperatures. Avoid June to September when the heat is extreme and the forest is dry.
Do I need a guide to hike in Day Forest National Park?
Not for the main trail to Mount Goda, which is marked. For the canyon walks or if you want to explore the forest more thoroughly, a local guide is recommended.
Can I camp in Day Forest National Park?
No. Camping is not allowed in the park. The nearest accommodation is in Tadjoura (1 h drive) or Djibouti City (1.5 h drive).
Is Day Forest National Park worth visiting?
Yes, if you are in Djibouti and want to see the country's only forest and a cooler mountain landscape. It is a half-day trip from Djibouti City and offers a contrast to the desert and coast.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Day Forest National Park
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