DestinationsAugust 1, 20267 min read
Danakil Depression travel guide: Ethiopia’s otherworldly adventure
Erta Ale, Dallol, Lake Assale and the Afar salt caravans: when to go, how long to stay, what to pack and how to stay safe.
Expedition · Nature & Wildlife
Danakil Depression
More than 100 metres below sea level: acid springs the colour of egg yolk, a permanent lava lake, and salt caravans that have not changed in a thousand years.
- Best Time
- November to March
- Suggested Stay
- 3 to 4 days
- Altitude
- -116 m
- Region
- Nature & Wildlife
Why We Go
One of the hottest places on earth, painted in sulphur and salt.
Part of the Great Rift Valley near the Eritrean border, the Danakil Depression lies as low as 116 metres below sea level around Lake Assale, one of the lowest points in Africa. It is one of the hottest, driest and most tectonically active regions on the planet, with daytime temperatures that regularly pass 45 °C.
Its landscapes are unlike anything else on earth: the hydrothermal field of Dallol, where potash and sulphur create surreal coloured pools; the salt flats where Afar miners still cut blocks by hand and load them onto camel caravans bound for the highlands; and the shield volcano of Erta Ale with its glowing lava lake.
We run the Danakil as a fully supported expedition with experienced desert drivers, a cook, a local Afar guide, a police escort, comfortable camp beds and plenty of drinking water. Comfort within reason, and honest advice about the rest.
Highlights
- The yellow, green and orange mineral terraces of Dallol
- Overnight ascent to the lava lake of Erta Ale
- Afar salt miners and camel caravans on Lake Assale
- Sunset over the salt flats and nights under desert stars
Journeys Including Danakil Depression
Routes that pass through here
Plan This Destination
Build Danakil Depression into your journey
Nothing here is fixed. Tell us how long you have and what else you want to see, and our team will plan the route, including the flights, the guides and the hours that matter.
Let’s Plan Your Ethiopian Adventure
Tell us a little about your travel plans. We’ll help you create a journey that suits your interests.
Discover Ethiopia. Experience the Extraordinary!
Speak to someone who has been there this season
Our guides travel these routes all year. Ask about road conditions, festival dates or the best time to visit. You will get a straight answer.
Or call us directly on +251 912 039405