Visiting the Decan Wildlife Refuge in Dschibuti

Visiting the Decan Wildlife Refuge in Dschibuti

The Decan Wildlife Refuge in Dschibuti offers an oasis of calm outside of jibuti city and the opportunity to come close to some enchanting wild animals

Decan, which stands for Découvrir et aider la nature (discover and help of nature), is only 20 minutes outside the dusty capital of Dschibutis. Refuge houses a number of species, including cheetahs, lions, ostriches, turtles, Somali-really, caracale, squirrels, oryxantilopes, kudus, zebras and stored pigs.

Alt = “Dean Wild Protection Area“> Atlas & Boots Karakale are one of many species that are housed in Decan

The French veterinarian Bertrand Lafrance founded Decan in 2001 as a non-profit animal welfare and rehabilitation center for a variety of orphans or illegally for trade in cages. He opened it to the public in 2012 and has expanded the site and enclosure since then. The refuge currently comprises around 121,000 m² and houses over a hundred animals.

Unfortunately, the majority of the animal shelter animals are intended to stay 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 moving as this is, refuge is better than the alternative fate that you faced.

We spent an afternoon to explore the refuge and were completely enchanted by the calm and soothing facility and the beautiful animals in it.

Decan houses over a hundred animals, but they are the cheetahs that steal the show. The majestic big cats like to sneak around on the edges of their enclosure and see the visitors who, in turn, watch them with subdued fascination. When they are relaxed, they roll around and play, gently tease themselves lovingly. You are really fascinating.

Three intimidating lions are housed further back in a larger area, although visitors to the mother and son cannot come as close, whose enclosures are returned from the viewing area. Nearby there is a smaller enclosure for a monkey group and a couple of caraca.

Most enclosures can be visited without guidance, and some - like the bargain pigs and turtles - are outdoors. However, visiting the ostriches, oryxantilopes and other large herbivores requires accompaniment by an animal shelter manager.

alt = “Decan Wildlife Refuge Pard”> Atlas & Boots The cheetahs undoubtedly steal the show

We spent a little more than an hour strolling over the site, but could have spent twice as much. There is a small gift shop on site, a simple café in which cooled drinks are served, a lounge area outdoors with a small library and some increased viewing platforms.

Although it is only a stone's throw from the city, the refuge reminds of the African savannah with red sand under the feet, acacia trees that sprinkle the landscape, and antelopes that strip around under a burning sun.

• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "Dean Wild Protection Area">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">

Atlas & Boots

Refuge currently only employs jibuters, but is one of the few places in Dschibuti who takes up volunteers.

whether you are an animal lover or not, the Decan Wildlife Refuge in Dschibuti is a wonderful way to spend a relaxing afternoon away from the city and traffic. The refuge reminds her once again that you are in Africa, the biggest destination for wild animals on Earth.

Decan Wildlife Refuge in Dschibuti: The essentials

What: Visiting the Decan Wildlife Refuge in Dschibuti.

Where: We stayed in the Hotel Residence de L’Or was a mid -range hotel in the center of the city. The rooms are large and functional with excellent WiFi and view of the Menelik-Platz. (Ask for a non -smoking room if you don't smoke.)

• Alt = "Decan Dschibuti Hotel residence">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">
• Alt = "">

Atlas & Boots

The reception is occupied with English -language staff who is friendly and helpful, not least Mustafa, who radiates the Dschibutic charm (if he says Hakuna, Matata is said).

The residence is near restaurants, shops and amenities, including Pizzaiolo down the street, which makes a great pizza with blue cheese - but be warned that the prices for food and accommodation in DSchibuti are high, so adapt your expectations accordingly.

Overall, the Residence de l’Or was a comfortable starting point to start our journey.

When: The best time for a visit to Dschibuti is November to January when Walhaie pays off your annual visit and the weather is cooler. The temporary season from October and February to April is also a good time for a visit, but you will not see whale sharks. May-September is extremely hot.

like: Admission to Decan Wildlife Refuge costs 1,500 DJF (9 USD) and includes a guided tour of the herbivoral enclosure. Children can visit free of charge.

The shelter is open on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The big cats are usually fed around 5 p.m. You can find more information on the Decan website (in French) here. You can also contact the refuge by email: Decandjib@yahoo.fr and phone: +253 77 60 97 46.

Decan Wildlife Refuge is 15 km (25 minutes) from the city center. We took a taxi and paid 7,000 DJF ($ 40) for the return transport and an hour of waiting. It is worth noting that our taxi driver became aggressive and asked for more money when we returned to taxi five minutes late. Therefore, we advise you to pay more and to agree with Decan for two hours (one is really not enough). And don't come too late.

jibuti is a small country, which means that it is generally easy to move on. Taxis from the airport require fixed driving prices to hotels in the city (approx. 2,000 DJF / $ 11). Check the board outside the airport to ensure that you are not calculated too high fees.

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

alt = “>

lonely planet Ethiopia & Dschibuti is a useful travel guide for jibuti, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take the less busy road.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

 .