Day Forest National Park (Forêt du Day) is a precious ecological treasure and the only national park in the Republic of Djibouti. Located in the Goda Mountains, this park represents a rare island of green in one of the world’s most arid countries. It is a high-altitude montane woodland, a remnant of a more extensive ancient forest that once covered this part of Africa. The park’s cooler, wetter microclimate supports a unique ecosystem of juniper, wild olive, and other tree species that are found almost nowhere else in the country. It is a critical sanctuary for biodiversity, most notably as the last refuge for the critically endangered Djibouti spurfowl, making it a vital site for conservation and a unique destination for ecotourists and hikers.

Name and Address

• Name: Day Forest National Park (French: Parc National de la Forêt du Day).
• Address: Located in the Goda Mountains, within the Tadjourah Region of Djibouti, approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) west of the city of Tadjoura.

How to Get There

Accessing the park requires a journey into the rugged Goda Mountains, away from the main coastal routes.

• By 4×4 Vehicle (Essential): The only way to reach the park is with a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle. The roads leading into the mountains from the coast are unpaved, steep, and can be challenging.
• Guided Tours (Highly Recommended): Most visitors explore Day Forest as part of a guided tour from either Djibouti City or the town of Tadjoura. Tour operators can arrange the necessary 4×4 transport, a knowledgeable guide, and often combine the visit with other nearby attractions like the Bankoualé Waterfall.
• Starting Points: The journey can be started from Djibouti City (a long day trip) or more conveniently from the coastal town of Tadjoura, which is much closer.
• Visitor Tip: The best time to visit is during the cooler, drier season from November to April. Even then, it is essential to bring plenty of water. A local guide is highly recommended not only for navigation but also to help spot the park’s unique and often elusive wildlife.

Landscape and Architecture

The “architecture” of Day Forest National Park is entirely natural, defined by its unique high-altitude forest ecosystem set within a dramatic mountain landscape.

• Montane Forest Oasis: The park is a rare remnant of an Afro-montane forest. The high altitude (with peaks reaching over 1,700 meters) captures more moisture than the surrounding arid lowlands, allowing a forest to thrive. The landscape is a stark and beautiful contrast to the rest of Djibouti.
• Dominant Flora: The park is characterized by four main tree species: the ancient East African Juniper (Juniperus procera), wild olive trees, boxwood, and Tarchonanthus camphoratus. The junipers are particularly notable, with some ancient trees reaching heights of 20 meters. The park also contains ficus, mimosa, and dragon trees.
• Goda Mountains: The forest is situated within the rugged landscape of the Goda Mountains, which feature deep ravines, steep slopes, and stunning panoramic viewpoints over the Gulf of Tadjoura and the surrounding desert.
• Bankoualé Waterfall: Nearby is the impressive Bankoualé Waterfall, which is often included in a visit to the region and is surrounded by a beautiful palm grove.

What Makes It Famous

Day Forest National Park is famous for being a rare and vital ecosystem—the green lung of Djibouti—and a sanctuary for endemic wildlife.

• A Relict Forest: Its primary claim to fame is its status as a relict forest, a living reminder of a time when this part of Africa was greener. It is the largest and most important forest in Djibouti.
• Home of the Djibouti Spurfowl: The park is world-renowned among ornithologists as the only place on Earth to find the critically endangered Djibouti spurfowl (Pternistis ochropectus). Its survival is entirely dependent on the health of this small forest.
• Endemic and Rare Wildlife: Beyond the spurfowl, the park is a hotspot of biodiversity, home to other rare birds like the Djibouti sunbird and mammals such as the warthog and hamadryas baboon.
• A Green Oasis in the Desert: The park’s very existence is what makes it so remarkable. The experience of hiking through a cool, green, juniper forest in one of the hottest and driest countries on the planet is a unique and unforgettable contrast.

Differences from Other Wonders

Day Forest offers an experience that is completely different from Djibouti’s other, more famous geological and marine attractions.

• A Green Mountain Forest vs. Barren Salt Lakes: The lush, green, high-altitude environment of Day Forest is the polar opposite of the desolate, low-lying, and hypersaline landscapes of Lac Assal and Lake Abbe. A visit to Day Forest is about experiencing a living, breathing forest ecosystem, not a barren geological wonder.
• Terrestrial Wildlife vs. Marine Life: The focus of a visit to Day Forest is on its unique terrestrial flora and fauna, especially its endemic birds. This contrasts sharply with the Gulf of Tadjoura, which is famous for its marine biodiversity and the chance to swim with whale sharks.
• Cool Mountain Climate vs. Extreme Desert Heat: The park provides a cool, misty escape from the intense heat that characterizes the rest of the country, including the areas around Lac Assal and Lake Abbe.
• Subtle Beauty vs. Dramatic Spectacle: While the beauty of Lac Assal and Lake Abbe is immediate, stark, and almost alien, the beauty of Day Forest is more subtle. It is a place of tranquility, best appreciated by hiking its trails, listening to the birds, and immersing oneself in the rare greenery.