
Safari Information
- Departure; Scheduled and tailor-made departure dates
- Duration; 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Lodging; Lodges
- Group Size; Minimum 1
- Note: Travel insurance is compulsory for all safaris
Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Afdera Village
- Early morning, your divers will pick you up in Mekele and you will proceed driving into the Danakil Depression.
- Today’s journey will be mostly by asphalt road to Afdera via Abala town, where the local Afar regional police will accompany the trip.
- Continue to Afdera.
- Overnight camping/sleeping under the stars in Afdera village (very basic accommodations).
Day 2: Volcano
- In the morning, visit Lake Afdera, a salt lake nearly 100 km2.
- Here you can see the modern way of salt mining, as this place provides most of the salt for Ethiopia.
- You can swim in the lake as well as the nearby hot spring.
- After the visit, depart from Afdera to Erta Ale via Kursuwad.
- The Erta Ale volcano has been in a constant state of eruption for over 40 years.
- As the sun goes down you will start the 3-hour hike up to the crater rim of the Erta Ale volcano.
- The hike may be done by camel or on foot.
- At the top you will descend into the caldera and proceed to the crater’s edge.
- Here you will see the permanent lava lake inside the volcano (the only permanent lava lake in the world).
- Overnight on the rim of the volcano caldera in a crude hut.
Day 3: Hamed Ila Village
- Today is an early morning start to witness the sun rise over the horizon.
- You will have your last look at the volcano’s lake of lava before descending from the volcano.
- After breakfast, return driving to Hamed Ila through the arid desert land of the Afar people.
- In Hamed Ila you will see the life of the local Afar people.
- You will also see the camel caravans on their way in and out from the salt lakes.
- Overnight camping/sleeping under the stars in Hamed Ila village (very basic accommodations).
Day 4: Safari Ends
- After breakfast, depart for Dallol, which at 116m below sea level is the lowest point on the African continent.
- Admire the stunning landscape, the ground many shades of red, yellow and orange from the hot water, acids and minerals spurting up from the ground.
- Continue to Lake Asale, which is the salt lake from which the Afar nomads extract salt.
- You will witness (and even try) their laborious task of removing salt from the ground as hundreds of camels relax before the long trek back to Mekele.
- After the visit, proceed back to Mekele, with your last views of this desert and the camel caravans dotting the horizon.
Rates From
From US$ 1000.00 pp sharing
Rates Information
The Above Rates should be used as a guideline only.
- Rates are based on four people per safari
- All rates are subject to availability
- Rates may vary according to season
- Lodging may change depending on your budget
- All rates may change without notice
- Single supplement may apply
Rates Include
- Minimum two (2) 4WD vehicles including driver, driver’s allowance (food and accommodation), fuel, insurance and governmental taxes
- English-speaking guide
- Permits to travel in Afar region
- Local Afar road leaders, armed scouts, and security, as needed
- All food and water while camping in the Danakil Depression
- All cooking and camping materials, including cook to prepare food for entire expedition team
- All other costs associated with travel in the Danakil Depression
Rates Exclude
- All costs outside of the Danakil Depression including transport to/from Mekele, accommodation, meals, etc
- Alcoholic beverages
- Camera and/or photo fees
- Items of a personal nature
St. Mary of Zion
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Yemrehanna Kristos
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Lake Tana
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Axum Stelae Field
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