Ethiopia's Danakil Depression

With more than 30 active and dormant volcanoes, the Danakil Depression is one of the most unique geological regions on earth. A strange and mysterious landscape - scattered with noxious hot springs, frozen black-lava flows, and massive salt basins left over from ancient lakes – it is one of the most tectonically active places on the planet In stark contrast to the cool, temperate Ethiopian highlands, it is also one of the lowest, driest, and hottest places on earth. The lowest point (155m/509 ft below sea level) on the African continent, the Danakil is where the famous 32.million year old fossil hominid "Lucy" was discovered in 1974. A trip to the Danakil is full of adventure and surely one you will never forget.

Select to see tours that include the Danakil

Erta Ale, meaning "smoking mountain" in the local Afar language, is the region’s most-visited and active volcano. Erta Ale is one of the few volcanoes in the world that have an almost persistent lava lake. It is an isolated basaltic shield volcano, 50 km wide, rising more than 600 m from below sea level in the Danakil Depression.

Camel Caravans

As the Awash River flows into the Danakil Depression, it dries up leaving a chain of salt lakes such as Lake Afera. The local inhabitants, the Afar people, cut salt bricks from the lake beds, load them onto camels, and then lead caravans for hundreds of kilometers to markets in the Ethiopian highlands. Most of the Afar are nomads who herd sheep, goats, cattle, and camels and are the men are known for their fighting prowess. Predominately Muslim, many Afar still hold some traditional beliefs such as believing that certain trees and groves have sacred powers.

A trip to the Afar region should only be undertaken with proper planning and a knowledgeable guide. With an average annual temperature of 34-35º C, abundant supplies of water should be taken along. With a knowledgeable guide, up-to-date information from embassies in Addis Ababa, and a well-planned trip, a safe tour can be taken to the region

Camel caravan crossing the Danakil.

Dry lake bed in the Danakil.

Mineral deposits in the Danakil.

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