The Danakil – the Ultimate Volcanic Adventure

Erta Ale Volcano, Dalol mineral geysers, Lakes Afdera and Asale

Salt Hoodoos & Canyons

The Danakil Depression is the northern of Afar Region in Ethiopia. It is a geological depression that has resulted from the divergence of three tectonic plates in the Horn of Africa.  It has developed as a result of Africa and Asia moving apart, causing rifting and volcanic activity. It is believed that it is the ongoing birth of an ocean through tectonics and volcanism. The Danakil Depression is a plain approximately 200 by 50 km. It is about 125 m (410 ft) below sea level. 

The area to the south of the depression is where in 1974 Donald Johanson and his colleagues found the famous 3.2 million years old Australopithecus afarensis fossil Lucy , known in Ethiopia as Dinkenesh (you are wonderful).

The Danakil Depression is the hottest place on Earth in terms of year-round average temperatures. It is also one of the lowest places on the planet at 100 metres (330 ft) below sea level, and without rain for most of the year. Here, the Awash River dries up in a chain of salt lakes such as Lake Afdera and never reaches the Ocean. Mount Ayelu is the westernmost and older of the two volcanoes at the southern end of the Danakil Depression.

The caldera on Ertale – feel the heat of a live volcano

The other active volcano, Erta Ale, which is the accessible one for visits, is one of several crater lakes of lava bubbling from the Earth’s mantle. However the crater is always evolving: sometimes it spills over and streams of lava trickle down the side of Erte Ale, sometimes there is a bubbling cauldron of lava, and at other times the lava hardens and cyber cones are created nosily exuding hot gasses, small trickles of lava and shots of flames.

Dalol Mineral springs

Additionally, the area contains the Dalol mineral geysers and springs.  Numerous hot springs discharge brine and acidic liquid here. Small, widespread, temporary geysers produce cones of salt. The Dalol deposits include significant bodies of potash found directly at the surface. The yellow, ochre and brown colourings are the result of the presence of iron and other impurities. Older, inactive springs tend to be dark brown because of oxidation processes. This area is other worldly seemingly from Mars or some other planet.

On our 3 day/ 2 night tour of the Danakil you will climb up Erta Ale to see the active volcano – a truly awesome experience, you can swim in the saltiest lakes where the water pushes you up its so salty, and you will see the remarkable Dalol mineral geysers and springs. There are also salt canyons and hoodoos to explore, dunes to cross, camels and desert landscapes to admire. The sight of a shallow salt lake Asale at sunrise or the end of the day is also special, as are the drives across this open desert land.  We will camp under the volcano at Erta Ale for one night, sleeping out on mattresses under the star filled sky. And the other night will either be at Hamadila, a small settlement near Lake Asale and Dallol, or the more picturesque Saba River with its Doum Palms and fresh water river. In Either case it’s best to sleep on the raised wooden beds with straps across (like an Indian Charpoy) on a mattress to catch some breeze.

Most trips begin and end at Semera, the capital of Afar, but the trip can end in Tigray for those who want to link their adventures in the Danakil with those in Tigray. It can also be part of a road trip from Addis to Awash and on to Danakil.

Sadly since Covid times the camel transport of salt blocks in Caravans and the harvesting of blocks of salt has come to an end.