Happy TravellerWelcome to Ali Sabieh, the second largest city in Djibouti. This beautiful city is situated about 98 kilometres (61 miles) Southwest of Djibouti City and 10 km (6 mi) north of the border with Ethiopia. Ali Sabieh sprawls on a wide basin surrounded by granitic mountains on all sides, making it a picturesque destination for tourists. The famous landmark of Ali Sabieh is located near the city, which is the Ali Sabieh Mountain of national emblem of Djibouti symbol and for the Arrei Mountains highest point in Ali Sabieh region.
Ali Sabieh was a small village when the French created their French Somaliland. During the Middle Ages, it was ruled by the Ifat and Adal Sultanates subsequently came under Ottoman and French protection in the 18th century. According to an old legend, the present-day territory of Ali Sabieh was covered by some trees, wadis and a well. Where the nomadics use to stopping here for water on the way to the towns of Zeila or Harar and after the signing treaties in 1894 with the then ruling Ugaas of Issa Somali, to established a protectorate in the region referred to as French Somaliland. Ali Sabieh became an administrative and commercial centre in the 19th century after the construction of the Ethio-Djibouti Railways, the first railway in French Somaliland. The railway reached this location on 14 July 1900. During all this time, Ali Sabieh was practically the town profited much and became a boom city, attracting most of the trade.
Today, Ali Sabieh is the capital of the Ali Sabieh Region and lies along National Highway 5. Nearby towns and villages include Dikhil (50 km), Arta (69 km), Ali Adde (22 km), Assamo (24 km), Dewele (18 km), Dasbiyo (15 km), Holhol (33 km) and Guelile (10 km). Public buses go from Djibouti City to Ali Sabieh, and it takes two hours to get there. A contracted bus ride from Djibouti city to Ali Sabieh can charge between 700 Djiboutian franc. Ali Sabieh’s central location has contributed to its economic revival. Goods travelling to other parts of Djibouti all depart from the city’s outskirts.
As of 2008, the population of Ali Sabieh has been estimated to be 147,987. The city inhabitants belong to various mainly Afro-Asiatic-speaking ethnic groups, with the Issa Somali predominant. Ali Sabieh is the second largest city of Djibouti after Djibouti city with about 250,547 residents.
Ali Sabieh has two soccer fields and one basketball court. One of the football fields has a capacity of 1,500 spectators. It is home to the Djibouti Super Football Leagues Ali Sabieh FC. The city’s economy today relies on tourism, agriculture and a number of small factories, most of which are involved in the building trade. The city was visited by more than 2,000 tourists over the years.
There are several state-run owned secondary and high schools in the city. Among these is the premiere secondary school in the capital region. Many primary schools and nurseries are also found in the town.
Ali Sabieh is located in a valley in the southern section of the country. The city is situated in a mountainous area, in an enclosed valley of the highlands. It sits at an elevation of 756 metres (2,480 feet) above sea level. Ali Sabieh is a mountainous and hilly town. This altitude gives the settlement and the surrounding area a milder climate than the Djibouti city coastal area, where the weather is typically hot. The city’s layout is partially scattered and irregular. Houses are generally single storey and mostly cement made. To the east of Ali Sabieh is a grassland savannah, which attracts many types of wildlife to the area, including black-backed jackal, dorcas gazelle, Felis, caracal, various bird species, and the hamadryas baboon. Due to its location at 756 metres (2,480 ft) above sea level, Ali Sabieh’s climate is moderate in summer and cold in winter. The area attracts visitors looking for a moderate climate and pristine, scenic views.
Ali Sabieh experiences a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh), with blazing summers and mild winters. There are two rainy seasons. The first rainy season extends from March to April and second from July to September. From November to March, the town experiences the warm winter season. It heats up from June to October, though the nights are cooler. Elevation is the major factor in temperature levels. The highest recorded temperature was 40 °C or 104 °F on July 13, 2008, while the lowest recorded temperature was 12.5 °C or 54.5 °F on December 10, 1992.
Ali Sabieh has benefited from its railway location between Addis Ababa and Djibouti City. There is a colonial-era station in Ali Sabieh for the Ethio-Djibouti Railways. There is also a new station on the standard-gauge Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway. Paved roads are available in Ali Sabieh, The vast majority of the roads were paved by the French, during colonial rule. The local government has repaired some of the roads but many others are still awaiting repair. There are also other buses and shared taxis that go to other cities in Djibouti.
Come and visit Ali Sabieh, a city with a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and a moderate climate. You won’t regret it!