Djibouti eSIM

People go between roughly November and February in the Gulf of Tadjoura, though it varies year to year with sea conditions and water temperature, so ask the boat operator directly before fixing your dates. Trips are full days on the water and usually have no signal once you are out in the gulf, so tell your accommodation when you expect to be back and start the day with a full charge.

Very hot, especially in mid-year, and the heat genuinely affects phones. A device left in direct sun can dim the screen or throttle itself, and the battery drains faster than usual when GPS runs all day. Keep the phone shaded or in a bag rather than on the dashboard, carry a power bank, and download maps in advance so you are not doing heavy work in full sun.

For places like Lac Abbé or the desert routes, yes. There is no signposting, no fuel along the way, and some sections need someone who can read soft sand. A local driver knows the route and can get help if something goes wrong. Agree the price and the return time clearly in advance over WhatsApp, and save the number to your phone in case you lose signal en route.

Most plans here start when the phone first connects to a network at the destination, so you can install in advance at home and switch it on after landing. Each plan page states its own rule.

No. The eSIM is a second line, so you keep your home number for SMS OTP. Turn off roaming data on the home line and set the eSIM as the data line.