Visit to the Decan Wildlife Refuge in Djibouti

Visit to the Decan Wildlife Refuge in Djibouti

The Decan Wildlife Refuge in Djibouti offers an oasis of calm outside of Djibouti City and the opportunity to get close to some enchanting wildlife

Decan, which stands for DÉCouvrir et Aider la Nature (Discover and Help Nature), is just 20 minutes outside of Djibouti's dusty capital. The refuge is home to a range of species including cheetahs, lions, ostriches, turtles, Somali donkeys, caracals, squirrels, oryxes, kudu, zebras and porcupines.

alt=“Dekan Wildlife Sanctuary “>Atlas & BootsCaracals are one of many species housed in Decan

French veterinarian Bertrand Lafrance founded Decan in 2001 as a nonprofit animal protection and rehabilitation center for a variety of species that were orphaned or illegally caged for the trade. He opened it to the public in 2012 and has since expanded the grounds and enclosures. The refuge currently covers around 121,000 m² and is home to over a hundred animals.

Unfortunately, the majority of shelter animals are destined to remain in the shelter for the rest of their lives. Now tame, they could no longer survive in the wild without the support of humans. As poignant as this is, the refuge is better than the alternate fate they faced.

We spent an afternoon exploring the refuge and were completely enchanted by the calm and calming grounds and the beautiful animals within.

Decan is home to over a hundred animals, but it's the cheetahs that steal the show. The majestic big cats like to prowl around the edges of their enclosure and ogle visitors, who in turn watch them with muted fascination. When relaxed, they roll around and play, gently teasing each other affectionately. They are really fascinating.

Three intimidating lions are housed further back in a larger compound, although visitors cannot get as close to the mother and son, whose enclosure is set back from the viewing area. There are smaller enclosures nearby for a group of monkeys and a pair of caracals.

Most of the enclosures can be visited without a tour, and some – like the porcupines and turtles – are outdoors. However, visiting the ostriches, oryxes and other large herbivores requires the accompaniment of an animal shelter manager.

alt="Decan Wildlife Refuge Cheetah">Atlas & BootsThe cheetahs undoubtedly steal the show

We spent just over an hour wandering around the grounds, but could have easily spent twice as much. There's a small gift shop on-site, a simple cafe serving chilled drinks, an outdoor lounge area with a small library, and some elevated viewing platforms.

Although it's just a stone's throw from the city, the retreat is reminiscent of the African savannah, with red sand underfoot, acacia trees dotting the landscape, and antelope roaming under a scorching sun.

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The refuge currently only employs Djiboutians, but is one of the few places in Djibouti that accepts volunteers.

Volunteers can stay in the refuge's simple accommodations and help with the daily operations of the refuge, including animal and veterinary care, feeding, upkeep and maintenance, as well as participate in local education and research projects.

Whether you are an animal lover or not, the Decan Wildlife Refuge in Djibouti is a wonderful way to spend a relaxing afternoon away from the dust and traffic of the city. The refuge reminds you once again that you are in Africa, the largest wildlife destination on earth.

Decan Wildlife Refuge in Djibouti: the essentials

What: Visit to the Decan Wildlife Refuge in Djibouti.

Where: We stayed at the Hotel Residence de l’Europe, a mid-range hotel in the center of the city. The rooms are large and functional with excellent WiFi and views of Menelik Square. (Ask for a non-smoking room if you don't smoke.)

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The reception is staffed by English-speaking staff who are friendly and helpful, not least Mustafa, who exudes Djiboutian charm (when he says Hakuna, they say Matata).

The residence is close to restaurants, shops and amenities, including Pizzaiolo down the street, which makes a great blue cheese pizza - though be warned that food and accommodation prices are high in Djibouti, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

Overall, the Residence de l’Europe was a comfortable base to begin our journey.

When: The best time to visit Djibouti is November to January, when whale sharks make their annual visit and the weather is cooler. The shoulder season of October and February to April is also a good time to visit, but you won't see any whale sharks. May-September is extremely hot.

How: Admission to the Decan Wildlife Refuge costs 1,500 DJF (9 USD) and includes a guided tour of the herbivore enclosure. Children can attend for free.

The refuge is open Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The big cats are usually fed around 5 p.m. For more information, visit Decan's website (in French) here. You can also contact the refuge by email: decandjib@yahoo.fr and telephone: +253 77 60 97 46. Information about volunteering can be found here.

Decan Wildlife Refuge is 15 km (25 minutes) from the city center. We took a taxi and paid 7,000 DJF (40 USD) for round trip transportation and an hour wait. It's worth noting that when we got back to the taxi five minutes late, our taxi driver became aggressive and demanded more money. Therefore, we advise paying more and arranging two hours with Decan (one is really not enough). And don't be late.

Djibouti is a small country, which means it's generally easy to get around. Taxis from the airport charge a fixed fare to hotels in the city (around 2,000 DJF / 11 USD). Check the board outside the airport to make sure you are not being overcharged.

Book international flights through skyscanner.net at the best prices.

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Lonely Planet Ethiopia & Djibouti is a useful travel guide to Djibouti, ideal for those who want to both explore the main attractions and take the road less traveled.

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