Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BANKOUALÉ
The green and fertile oasis of Bankoualé boasts one of the most spectacular settings in
Djibouti, with staggering mountain scenery, impressive canyons and a few scenic water-
falls.
Sights & Activities
On the way to Bankoualé - just 2km down the dirt road - you'll pass the little village of
Ardo
, which has a small
craft centre
run by Afar women. It's a great opportunity to see
the well-known and highly accomplished Afar basketware. Any purchase you make will
directly benefit the community.
A variety of
walks
will take you up to the waterfalls, streams, fruit trees and little gar-
dens around Bankoualé. Don't miss the walk to the Cascade de Bankoualé (Bankoualé
Waterfall; about two hours return). It's not the Niagara Falls, though; in the drier months
the volume of the falls lessens and can be reduced to a mere trickle. Another enjoyable
walk goes to the Grotte de la Chauve-Souris (Bat's Cave; four hours return). It's also pos-
sible to walk to Dittilou (four hours one way) and Forêt du Day (4½ hours one way).
A guide is essential because trails are not marked and it's easy to get lost. You can or-
ganise a guide through the Campement Touristique de Bankoualé. Costs vary according to
the duration of the walk.
Sleeping & Eating
Campement Touristique de Bankoualé $
( 77814115; Bankoualé; full board DFr8000; Oct-May)
If you want to get away
from it all, look no further. This ecofriendly camp (electricity is solar powered) in a scenic
location - it's perched on a hillside and overlooks a deep gorge - is a pleasant place to
spend a couple of days, particularly if you're keen on hiking. Many huts have been re-
cently upgraded and are equipped with traditional Afar beds made of wood and goat skin
(fear not, there's a mattress, too), and the views of the valley are sensational. The ablution
blocks are well scrubbed, and the food gets good reports.
HUTS
DITTILOU
A visit to Dittilou, at the edge of vegetation around the Forêt du Day, should not be
missed. Set 700m above sea level on the flank of Mt Goda, it features an enchanted land-
scape of dripping forest and viewpoints swirling in mist. This explosion of green amid a
