Ethiopia Expedition to Danakil Depression

April 11, 2019April 11, 2019admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

Venture to one of the most remote places in the world on this once-in-a-lifetime 4×4 adventure to the Danakil Depression of Ethiopia.

Go to the active volcano of Erta Ale to see its incredibly rare molten lava lakes. Spend the night camping in the volcanic hills and watch the glowing red lava of Erta Ale bubble, boil and spurt, giving rise to orange clouds of smoke and natural firework-like sparks. Visit Dallol, one of the hottest inhabited locations in the world and Lake Asale, the lowest place in Africa. Encounter the Afar people and the camel caravans used for salt mining in this inhospitable, yet stunning region. Experience the intense colours of the striking landscapes in the Dallol region and at Lake Asale where camel caravans are used for salt mining.

This 4×4 expedition is ideal for the adventurous traveller who wants to experience nature in its full power and raw intensity.

Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

Our Ethiopia Expedition to Danakil Depression starts in Addis Ababa where you are collected from the Bole International Airport. From the airport, you are transferred to your comfortable 4-star hotel in Addis Ababa.

On the first day, we embark on a city tour of Addis Ababa, one of Africa’s major diplomatic hubs. Addis Ababa features an interesting mix of modern and historical elements offering insight into the fascinating history of ancient Ethiopia, as well as more cosmopolitan contemporary culture. Highlights on the city tour include Ethiopia’s most important Orthodox Church, the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the National Museum which houses the famous hominid fossil remains of Lucy, amongst other archaeological and historical finds.

Accommodation: Jupiter Hotel or similar

Day 2: Fly to Mekele & drive to Hamed Ela

After breakfast on day two, we return to the airport for our flight to Mekele in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia.

Landing in Mekele we transfer to 4×4 vehicles and travel overland to the small village of Hamed Ela, near the salt flats of Lake Asale in the Dallol area. Our journey into the remote Afar Region takes us via Tigre villages and the Afar Triangle escarpment. The Afar Triangle, also known as the Afar Depression, is a geological depression in the Great East African Rift Valley. Some palaeontologists consider the Afar Triangle as the cradle of human evolution due to the early hominid fossil discoveries made here.

Dallol lies in the northern part of the Afar Depression, known as the Danakil Depression or Danakil Desert. In the Dallol area, we see impressively long camel caravans moving between the salt works at Lake Asale and Hamed Ela. The Afar salt miners still use traditional mining methods transporting salt bars by camelback. Along the way to Hamed Ela, we also stop to get permits in BrehaAlle and meet our local scouts for the trip to Danakil Depression.

Accommodation: Camping at Hamed Ella

Day 3: Hammed Ela & Dallol (Danakil Depression)

On day three we get up early to catch the camel caravans setting off for the salt mines as the sun rises.

After watching the traditional salt miners head off on their camels we have breakfast at camp and drive to the remote settlement of Dallol in our 4×4 vehicle. The Dallol area of the Danakil Depression experiences the highest average year-round temperature of any inhabited place in the world. Temperatures range between 25°C (77°F) to 64.4°C (148°F) in this part of the Afar Depression. This is one of the hottest and most remote places on the planet. Plant life consists of hardy, drought-resistant shrubs, grasses and small trees. Wildlife species include a few antelopes, Grevy’s zebra and the last viable African wild ass population.

We spend the day taking in the extraordinary landscapes of the arid Dallol area, including the Danakil Desert and Lake Asale. The Asale lake, a largely dry expanse of salt plains for most of the year, is the lowest point in Africa at 126 metres below sea level. In this striking area the minerals, sulfurs and salts give the land and water bodies vivid and intense colours unlike anything else on earth. We may also spot ostriches, endemic Archer’s lark, Arabian bustards and other interesting birds found in the Afar Depression.

After exploring the otherworldly Dallol area we drive back to the salt lake where you can see the Afar and Tigre men, cutting salt into bars which are carried off to the Ethiopian Highlands on camelback at night. In the late afternoon, we visit the rustic village of Afar and the camel caravans at the outpost of Hammed Ella.

Accommodation: Camping at Hamed Ella

Day 4: Hammed Ella to Dodom & ErtaAlle Volcanic Hills

This morning we drive to Erta Ale volcano, passing through dramatic landscapes on our journey of about 85km. We travel through this harsh and inhospitable terrain via two Afar hamlets – Kusrewad and Dodem.

Arriving at Dodom we set off for the remarkable Erta Ale shield volcano. This active volcano is one of only six volcanoes in the world to form lava lakes, featuring the oldest permanent lava lake in existence at its summit. Erta Ale translates from the local Afar language as “smoking mountain” and stands 613 meters above sea level.

As the daylight fades the molten lake of lava glows fiery-red in a hot cauldron of bubbling basalt and burning rivulets, making for incredible photographs. Tonight we camp out in the hills of Erta Ale witnessing one of nature’s most powerful spectacles.

Accommodation: Camping at Erta Ale

Day 5: Drive to Mekele via Abala and fly to Addis Ababa

Early on the morning of day five, we walk back down the volcanic hills to Dodom. After breakfast in Dodom, we drive on to Abala and then Mekele.

In the late afternoon, we catch a flight from Mekele to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you are collected from the airport and transferred to a comfortable hotel for your final overnight stay. Tonight you are invited to join a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis Ababa. Spend the evening celebrating the adventures of your 4×4 expedition to the remote Danakil Depression, sampling delicious Ethiopian dishes and watching traditional folkloric dances.

Accommodation: Jupiter Hotel or similar 4-star hotel

Day 6: Addis Ababa

Wake up in the capital of Ethiopia, the economic, political and cultural heart of this ancient land. If time allows, spend some time exploring Addis. Visit the Addis Mercato to do some people-watching and shopping in Africa’s largest open-air market.

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight, bringing this unforgettable Ethiopia Expedition to Danakil Depression to a close.