The Most Important Country in Africa You’ve Never Heard Of (Djibouti 🇩🇯)

Welcome to Djibouti man. This is Djibouti. No! Guys, stop pronouncing Djibouti like Djibouti. We don't pronounce the T. No, it's Djibouti. Mix, my friend. She's the real definition of Djibouti, man. Djibouti. T? Or D? T, T, T, Djibouti. Not booty. There is no booty to see here. We're all skinny, guys. We're all skinny. Bruh, I've never seen anything like this before, man. Me neither. Even the air is extremely hot. Welcome to Djibouti. You see the view. Not me, the view. Djibouti is my beautiful country. I am a native Djiboutian. I like my people. I like my government. Djibouti is a really lovely country, you know. It's like we are almost one million now people. It's a small country, but it's very, like, multicultural, you know. There is a lot of people here living. A lot of, like, different culture, you know. The people are unique, Djibouti. And also the climate. Jeez, we just landed in Djibouti. And trust me, it feels like, I mean, somewhere in the Sahara Desert, man. Roughly, like, jeez, the heat. Bro. That's insane, man. Wow. What's the temperature for today, man? The temperature in Djibouti can go as high as 50 degrees Celsius. Making Djibouti one of the hottest places on earth. The entire area is so hot and very humid. And at the same time, it's super dry. It's a bit rocky. You barely see trees, even though if you see trees, there are a few of them. But there's one tribe that survives in all these areas. Which is the Afar people. They build with rocks and all they do is to rear cattle, sheep and goats. The heat in this country is so intense that I had to stay shirtless. Even in the evenings. I'm so happy to be exploring Djibouti. It's night time in this beautiful country. And I'm up in the track of a pickup. And I'm living my best life, man. You just have to visit Djibouti, man. It's so dark, by the way. Look at the ocean right behind me. It's like we are almost close to the apartment. But surprisingly, not all places in Djibouti are hot. Welcome to Rwanda. Rwanda? I love the name. Rwanda or Rwanda? Lele Rwanda. The place never gets dry. It's the greenest place. Never gets dry? Dry, yeah. Oh, wow. Never gets dry, you know. It's so cool in Rwanda to the extent that I've been able to play table tennis out here. Oh, don't run away, bro. I love how it's absolutely windy and cooler in this part of Djibouti to the extent that I managed to play ping pong. Because in Djibouti city, I cannot try this outside. Anyway, whether it's heat or rain, we still have to do what we have to do. In Djibouti, we are the best, my friends. Bro, it was a stressful trip, man. Even though it was a short flight. But at the end of the day, we landed and we were told there were no cameras. So we couldn't film at the airport. But here we are. We need to have our first meal because I'm so hungry. I just want to eat, drink more water because it's extremely hot. Watch our videos. Thank you so much. I just got here, just now. Yeah, I just arrived, landed. Thank you so much. Pleasure. Thank you. This will definitely be our first meal of this entire trip. I feel like there's a lot of similarities between Djibouti, Somaliland, Somali. Because kind of the meals are all the same. And when you come here, forget about your spoon and everything. And which is your natural fork. This is the hand. But shooting videos in this beautiful country was more like a nightmare. I can't even count the number of times that we were stopped for filming in the city. Can't believe that you have to get a permit before you do everything you have to do. So two days wasted. We finally got it. So we just can't wait to go to the city and explore. So when you're coming to Djibouti as a YouTuber or content creator, be aware that you have to apply for a permit before coming. So that you don't waste time like what I'm having. We also came with a drone. And apparently, we can't use it. So the drone is at the airport. Even though we tried to get a permit. But if you can understand, this place is a very strategic area where so many superpower countries have their military bases in here. So here's the reason why drone is forbidden. But we'll see what we can do. This is what makes Djibouti the most important country in Africa. Djibouti is located on the Horn of Africa, bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and across the Gulf of Aden, it lies opposite Yemen. This is why the influence of Yemen in Djibouti is so strong. Why you brought me here today? Because today we're going to eat Djiboutian food. Okay. Is this Djibouti food or Yemenite food? Okay. Trust me, this is my favorite dish on the table. What is this? Traditional fish? Yes, it's a traditional Yemenite fish. Oh, Yemenite? Yemenite fish. Djibouti was a French colony until it gained its independence in the year 1977. Djibouti is a very tiny country with no natural resources but still remains the most important country in Africa. So the question is, why is this so important? This is because of its strategic geographical location. Djibouti's coastline along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, along its proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, also known as the Gate of Tears, makes it a crucial chokepoint for international shipping and trade. Which means that the Bab el-Mandeb operates just like what? The Strait of Hormuz. You know why? Because millions of barrels of oil pass through here every single day. I mean, you're waiting for your shipping container, right? Did you know that 30% of shipping containers that connect to global markets pass through here every single day? One thing that I want to let you know is that this country is a very strategic country where a lot of ships dock in here. I see a lot of ships that are owned by Utopians on the water, but as you can see, this is a beautiful ship. Have you heard of sea cables? I mean, the internet and telecommunication between Europe and Asia pass through here every single day. I mean, this is the country that connects both continents. This is what attracts so many foreign military bases in Djibouti. Do you know the countries that are here? America is here. Japan is here. Almost all the European superpowers are here. And the latest one to join is China. But guess what? This is the only country in the world where United States of America and China have their military bases next to each other. So the biggest question is, why are they all here? Let me know what you think in the comment section. But don't forget to like this video. It's very important to me. But if you're new to the channel, please subscribe to be part of this awesome channel. My name is Wadamaya, a young man on a journey to change the negative narrative of Africa by traveling one country at a time. Before I forget, did you know that 90% of Utopia's imports and exports passes through Djibouti? So I don't know if you all know that Djibouti's port is the port that feeds the entire Utopia. That is more like a shipping containers on the rail on its way to Utopia. This is absolutely beautiful, man. I guess both countries depend on each other. All these trucks line up that you see at the moment are actually on its way to Utopia. So which means that Utopia depends on you guys, man. Yeah. And we depend on Utopia also, you see? Okay. Because without Utopia, the port is not working. Oh, okay. Yeah. If tomorrow Utopia has new sea, let's say the size of the Eritrea, we are like this. What are we going to do? Where we are is just 60 kilometers away from the Utopian border. So you see trucks using this major road to Utopia. I mean, Utopia don't have a port, so some of the goods go by road and it passes through Rwanda, man. That's a Utopia number plate. Isn't that nice? Even though it was extremely difficult to film in Djibouti, but I must confess that this is one of the safest countries that I've ever visited in Africa to the extent that you see women sitting on the street exchanging bulk amount of money, and they are not scared of being attacked. Is this because of the presence of the military bases in Djibouti? Let me know what you think in the comment section. But hey, I saw something like this in Somaliland. So yeah, probably it's the culture of the Somalis. The biggest part of Djibouti, I don't believe I'm going to see that women are carrying cash and being sold as Djiboutian frown right on the street, man. And they are not scared? Oh, this is Italian beer. Oh, wow. Okay. Nice. And dollar? Euro? Ghana? No? Kenya? Oh, so she got all the Hispanic currency. Oh, wow. This is insane, man. Like no security. More like an exchange bureau right on the street. How was it like living here? It's very peaceful. And what people don't know is like it's also very safe because we're surrounded by tumultuous regions and countries like in Ethiopia and Somalia. But like as a woman myself, I can roam around at night and I'll feel very safe. And that's something like it's not spoken about enough. Like there are things that I can do here that I'm not able to do abroad. And that's already like a huge plus. Like the security aspect is a big plus. And I love living here. Like this family. But hey, why is this so expensive in Djibouti? My room is as small as the capital city of this country, Djibouti City. Because the city is so small just like my room. But I don't know why such a small room I'm paying $75 which makes this city one of the most expensive cities that I've ever been to. Because literally like that is it. This is the bed. They give you another bed which I don't know what you have to use this bed for. And a table and a wardrobe plus a bathroom. That's it. But I think it's got to do with the AC and the fan at the same time because this country is one of the most expensive countries to buy electricity from. And because it's so hot, your AC has to be on almost every single day. And I guess that is the reason why the rooms are very expensive for real. This is all you got. This, that, this and your bathroom. Period. And that will cost you $75. I mean even food is not cheap. Whenever you are coming to Djibouti make sure you bring more money because it's absolutely expensive out here man. Definitely this is one of the most expensive countries that I've ever been to the extent that the food we ate today, what you saw on the table was 12,000 Djiboutian francs. I've never paid that amount of money for food in my whole life. You know and just the boat in and out is costing us like $200 just to go see the island and get by. This is a taxi that we're taking home. It's just like five minutes from our house and we're saying that it's a thousand francs. Come with more money because Djibouti is expensive. It's my first day out here in Djibouti and I'm definitely in love with the life at the beach. You know why? Because when I landed it was extremely hot and I felt the need to come to the beach just to enjoy the breeze out here. But I mean life at the beach is incredible because I see people swimming. Others are playing volleyball. People are just playing soccer out here. I mean I feel like it's super lively out here in Djibouti. It's just that it feels like because it's a Muslim country almost all the ladies at the beach are wearing trousers. I mean fully dressed whilst at the beach. The sunset is really giving. A very golden sunset. It's absolutely beautiful and I love it. I just can't wait to explore more of this beautiful country and also get to see what Djibouti got to offer man. Welcome to Djibouti city. The largest and the capital city of the country Djibouti. This country got the same name as its capital city. I mean just like Singapore and Singapore city. It's a very small city but half of the entire population actually lives in this city. First impression. I just want to tell you that it's super hot and above all it's kind of like an old city. Most of the infrastructure that you see in the downtown was literally built in the colonial time. But hey it's so beautiful but I feel like this is the melting point. Because I'm here for the first time and I'm seeing almost everybody in here. Africans are here. Europeans are here. Asians are here. The Arabs are also living here. And they kind of have a mixed culture in terms of the food that they eat. It's a coastal city and it's absolutely hot. Trust me or not this will be one of the hottest countries that I've ever been. I mean what else do I have to tell you? Djibouti is a Muslim nation. Here's the reason why you see this beautiful gigantic mosque right behind me. Where the beautiful people of this beautiful country come and praise Allah. And in here we say Mashallah man. So today is Sunday. Yes it's Sunday. And it feels like today is Monday. No because Djibouti the weekend is only Friday and Saturday. Oh wow. So this is why we have a lot of traffic and people in the downtown. It's quite different from where I'm coming from because our weekend is Saturday and Sunday. So which means that Sunday is more like a Monday in Djibouti man. And Djibouti is a Muslim country. So Friday we have the prayer. So this is why Friday is the weekend. Oh okay. So which means that on Friday you don't go to work. It's like Sunday. You have church yeah? Yeah we have church on Sunday. It's like Sunday. On Friday we have religious things to do. Yes. So it's a thing of Djibouti. Oh wow. So in Djibouti you can actually withdraw both in dollars and Djibouti in francs man. Here's the reason why it's so expensive in this country. But I need Djibouti in francs so I think I need to go for this. But I don't even know the currency. Do you know how much francs? I don't know man. We just take 10,000. How much is 10,000? Within francs. What? Just one? No way. I was expecting more cash. Welcome to Djibouti. Oh. Hi. Wow. Everybody knows you. I know right. It's crazy. Of course. Why not? So how's everything? Everything is fine. Pleasure meeting you. Thank you. Wow. You follow my page? Good to see you. Hi. Recently I saw your video when you eat Angara. Angara in Ethiopia. Oh. I am happy to see you. Thank you. Thank you so much. I follow his page. Oh wow. Thank you. I am your fan. Appreciate. I made one of the biggest mistake by requesting to come to the beach on Sunday thinking that I was in Ghana or somewhere in West Africa. Let me tell you. This is a Muslim country. And in a Muslim country, their weekend starts on Thursday and Friday. So Sunday is more like a normal day, a normal Monday for them. So I came to the beach and literally there's no one because almost everyone, almost everyone is at work. So I got the whole island to myself. I got a whole beach to myself, you know. Look at that. What a beautiful island, man. Wow. I love what I'm seeing, man. Definitely this is the most cleanest beach I've ever been in this country. The sand is extremely white. I mean, yeah, it's a white sand beach. But it's so quiet and peaceful. It looks as if no one lives out here because, you know what? I see buildings, but I see no one. Literally, I'm here all by myself. If I was to be Mr. Beast, I'll be like, I just bought a new island for $1 million. But I'm not Mr. Beast. So I'm here. Enjoy and go home. The water out here is crystal clear to the extent that you could see the fish swimming beneath the water. Incredible views out here, man. Wow. Once again, this is Djibouti. Saw this small boat. So our boat cannot come here, and I saw this small boat. And I'm like, you know what? I want to see more of the island. Since I'm here all by myself, let me just explore, man. Have to see and admire the beauty of the mangroves. Admire the beauty of the beach. And it's absolutely beautiful, man. I'm so glad I'm doing this, man. What a beauty. Djibouti is so pretty. I mean, people don't talk about Djibouti a lot because I never saw this part of Djibouti anywhere. And I'm so glad I came myself to see the beauty to share to the rest of the world. So I'm here to let you all know that it's time to visit Djibouti, man. It's time, man. We're on our way to another city in Djibouti called Tajoura. So we're here to use the ferry. Yep. I don't like ferries, but it is what it is, man. We just have to use it. It is where it is. Yep. It is where it is. We're just entering the ferry with our car. The stress that we go through to get you content is absolutely insane. I mean, trying to showcase the beauty of Africa, we have to cross rivers, cross oceans, cross the seas, cross the gulfs, just to get the beauty of our continent to you all. Welcome to Tajoura, guys. Oh, we're here already. Wow, we finally made it to Tajoura. Where are we right now? I found myself in Tajoura, which is the land of the Afa people. But let me tell you one thing that you don't know. If you go to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti, we got the Afa people. But what stands out for me is the fact that almost all the three places that I went to, the land topography looks exactly the same. You know why? What are you seeing? It's so dry and hot in all Afa regions. And also, like, it feels like you're living on a desert. I mean, when I went to Eritrea and Ethiopia, it was exactly the same. But what really stands out or the difference between the Afa in Ethiopia and the Afa in Djibouti is the sea. This is where I'll be staying tonight. And it's absolutely gorgeous, man. What really stands out for me is the white color and the fact that you got the ocean and the pool beautifying it. But the best thing that has ever happened to this hotel for me is the pool. Because it's extremely hot out here in Tajoura. And having the pool to cool down would definitely be something that would save you when you find yourself in here. I mean, just look at this. Tell me this is not beautiful. This is Djibouti. This is Tajoura. And this is Africa. What a beautiful, minimalist, luxurious room, man. This is classic, man. Because everything is simple, but world class. This is my bed. And there go a little bit of pieces in here. For me, the best part of this room is the view that you get. Do you think this view worth $120? Hell no. I know Djibouti is expensive, but definitely this is going to be the most affordable place I've ever stayed. Because you get value for your money. Because, listen, I got the view of the pool and the ocean. For $120? No way. And everything in here is so clean and nice. This is so heavy, man. Like, when you find yourself in a coastal country, you know that fresh fish would never be a problem. The fact that the sea is right here. Early morning, the fishermen go into the sea. Go catch this fish and bring it and sell it along the coast. Wow. Look at that. Djibouti, man. Djibouti. We are on our way to the lowest point of Africa, La Casa. One of the most beautiful places to ever see whenever you find yourself in Djibouti. But as we are on our way to the place, I saw this incredible view and I'm like, I just have to stop, man. You see the view. Not me, the view. This is my country, guys. You saw how it's beautiful. You know, there we have a shark, a white shark in this sea. There are so many white sharks. Okay. You have sharks in there? Yeah. That's why many people come and spend the night here on the sea, not outside. On the sea, on a boat to fish. Fish? To fish, to catch a fish and see the white shark. You can't swim here. You can't? You can't. This is more like a volcanic rock and it's so dark in color. But the view that you get together with the volcanic rock and the ocean is absolutely breathtaking, man. My goodness. Wow. Look at that. That's like a volcanic rock, man. Definitely, this is the volcanic rock that actually stopped the sea from going back. Hence the formation of La Casa. This is gorgeous, bro. Look at that. And the name of this island, you will see after that, is the Devil Island. Why is it called Devil Island? I don't know, but so many people say that there are so many devils here. Yeah, it's happened. So many stories. Okay. Yeah. They stop you. They look like humans. Okay. And they go with you. And they told you, stop here. Stop the car here and disappear. You mean the drone cannot get the island? It's not moving? No. Wow. Look at that. It's the Devil Island, man. Welcome to the Devil Island. Bro, like we're trying to get a drone shot of the Devil Island, and the drone is not moving. The drone is not moving. Like, look at that. The drone literally stopped. Can you try again? No. No, man. No, try again. No, but just... He's scared. Yeah, I'm scared. Because it's not flying here because too many devils. It's all devils? Yeah. Planes don't fly here. Planes don't fly here? They make a turn. They can't fly here. I see the drone, but I cannot control it. It's out of my control. I don't know why. I swear to God. He lost his mind. Yo. He said stop. There's a Devil Island over there. I swear to God. That's insane, man. It's going to be fissured. Oh, divided in two? Yeah, divided in two. One part of Djibouti is going to be with Saudi Arabia. So it means that, like, you're saying that Djibouti is going to be divided into two? Yeah. From here? From here, yeah. The whole of Africa? This is the Red Valley? Yeah. See all the colorful stones that they get around here. So this is more like a business for the people of Afar, where they move around, pick different rocks. Sometimes they even go into the sea just to pick different artifacts, just to sell, man. This is traditional Afar. Traditional Afar. Look at that. It's a black, shiny rock, man. This is beautiful, man. I would love to buy this. I feel like the camera cannot even do justice to what my naked eyes are seeing. This is absolutely beautiful, man. Like you see the ocean. Welcome to La Casale, the lowest point in Africa. This is rainwater and very soon the water will evaporate because the sand that shines in here is really a stream. And if it evaporates, you see a shiny white salt cover the entire land. And it's so beautiful, man. You gotta come see this for yourself, man. Like every rock that you see, every piece that you pick from here is actually salt. Let me just pick a rock and you see. Look at that. See. This is salt, man. Every piece of rock you find here is salt. Is it salty? La Casale is the second biggest salt flat in the entire world. And I don't know why you've never been here. I mean, Bolivia is the biggest salt flat in the entire world. You've been to Bolivia, but you've never been here. What are you waiting for? And the fact that even when it rains, you can still have a pool of salt water where you can float. It's incredible. And when the sun is shining, believe me or not, this shines like a white gold. And I'm so happy to see both of them at the same time. I love you all. And I just want to ask you, please visit Djibouti. And if you make it to Djibouti, make sure you come see La Casale. Brothers and sisters, welcome to La Casale. The best sunset ever. But I just want to tell you that this is one of the most scenic views that I've ever seen in my whole travels. And it's absolutely breathtaking. This is Atra, right? Yes, this is Atra. But it's cooler up here. Yeah, it's on mountains. Yeah. I've just seen all this house building on the mountains. On the mountains? Yeah. It's so beautiful. Look at that house sitting right on top of that beautiful mountain. It's so crazy. Would you ever stay on a mountain like that? No. If I was with your dahlia. I'm so glad I made it here. And I would definitely be back, man. Listen. If you have never been to Djibouti, this is Djibouti. No. It's not booty. It's booty on. You guys, stop pronouncing Djibouti like Djibouti. We don't pronounce that T. No, it's Djibouti. Not booty. There is no booty to see here. We're all skinny, guys. We're all skinny.