Ethiopia Tours
Into the Danakil Depression
Journey into the heart of Earth's fiery abyss, where the Danakil Depression unveils surreal landscapes and mesmerising geothermal wonders.
Tour Overview
The Danakil Depression is a geological wonderland in Ethiopia, one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth. It is also a place of otherworldly landscapes, scorching temperatures, and vivid colours.
Join our expedition as we walk across vast salt flats and marvel at a kaleidoscope of colours. We also witness the fiery inferno of Erta Ale volcano. However, it is not just the geological wonders that make the Danakil Depression a captivating destination. Throughout the journey, you'll have the privilege of meeting the resilient Afar people. They have adapted to the harsh conditions of this land. Their rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality offer a window into a way of life shaped by this unforgiving environment.
Into the Danakil Depression is an unforgettable odyssey into the heart of nature. Here, ancient forces shape the land and its most captivating spectacles unfold.
On this short tour, you get to experience the Danakil with our experienced local team. However, this is a challenging trip and one that should not be taken without careful consideration. We can run the tour as an extension to any of our main Ethiopia tours. Alternatively, we can arrange it as an exclusive trip on its own. Contact us for details.
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Domestic Flight to Semera and Proceed to Erta Ale
Fly to Semera, connecting directly if arriving internationally. We can also arrange pre-tour accommodation in Addis Ababa if needed. Our representative meets you to start the drive into the Afar region, where the Danakil Depression begins. It is one of the most spectacular regions of the world. Stop for coffee with locals and lunch prepared by your cook as the landscape grows drier. Meanwhile, you pass Afar salt miners pumping saltwater over the surface to evaporate into a salt crust. Lunch is served in Dodom village, where you'll show permission to climb Erta Ale ('the smoking mountain'). You also collect the camels needed to transport goods, plus more scouts. After an early dinner, begin the roughly 3-hour, 8.5km trek up to the volcano. Camels carry the camping gear to the rim for a night watching the boiling lava.
Overnight in Camping, Erta Ale · Meals included: Lunch, dinner
DAY 2
Dallol
After breakfast, drive to Dallol via Asebo. On the way, you hope to see Afar salt miners cutting salt into rectangular blocks and loading them onto camels. The Dallol Depression is officially the hottest place on Earth, averaging 34-35°C. Much of it is below sea level, dipping to -116m near Lake Asale, the lowest point on the African continent. It is also one of the driest and most tectonically active areas on the planet. Finally, stroll through the yellow, moon-like landscapes formed by volcanic activity.
Overnight in Camping, Dallol · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 3
Afdera
Drive to Afdera, admiring volcanic rock and desert scenery en route. First, stop in the village to explore and have coffee with locals. Then continue to Lake Afdera and the campsite. As the sun sets, swim and float on the surface of the salt lake. You can also enjoy the nearby hot springs.
Overnight in Camping, Afdera · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4
Afdera to Semera
Leave the Afar region and drive towards Semera, arriving in the late afternoon to check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Kuriftu Lodge, Semera · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5
Fly Back to Addis Ababa
Transfer to Semera Airport for a domestic flight to Addis Ababa. The tour then ends at Bole International Airport. However, we can arrange post-tour accommodation or further Ethiopia adventures if required.
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Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
4 nights' accommodation on a shared room/tent basis, as per itinerary
Return domestic flight from Addis Ababa to Semera
Private land transport by an air-conditioned Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD
All meals, utensils, camping gear, and cooks in the desert
Local guide and scout fees
Entrance fees – all entrance and excursion fees detailed in your itinerary
Bottled mineral water in the vehicle (2 litres per day)
Government tax associated with the trip
What’s Not Included
International travel to the start and end point. Contact us for information and flight options. A $247 surcharge per person applies if not travelling on Ethiopian Airlines internationally.
Any airport taxes
Travel insurance
Any visa requirements
Local escort guide from Addis Ababa – an additional $622 per group for an escorted professional English-speaking guide
Alcoholic drinks and drinks not mentioned
Any photography and video fees
Items of a personal nature
Tips for drivers and guides
Tour Map
Book With Confidence
Dates & Prices
This is a private tour, so we can arrange it for any departure date. Contact us for further tour information, including flight options and pre and post-tour accommodation.
From £2,225 per person, based on two people sharing
Good to Know
Travel Information
Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For example, it covers safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for Ethiopia.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry. It should also have at least two blank pages. You will need a valid visa before travelling. You can obtain it from the official Ethiopian e-visa platform or your nearest Ethiopian Embassy. Moreover, you must show a valid visa before boarding your flight and on entry. The penalty for overstaying is $10 per person per day. This is payable in full before you can leave the country.
Local Laws and Customs
Ethiopia is religiously diverse and largely tolerant. However, respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions, particularly during Ramadan or when visiting Ethiopian Orthodox sites. For example, modest dress is a must at religious sites. Women may also prefer to dress modestly in rural areas generally. Homosexual acts are illegal, carrying penalties of 1-15 years imprisonment. Therefore, avoid public displays of affection. It is illegal to photograph near military zones or personnel, the Presidential Palace, or anywhere signs prohibit it.
It is also illegal to carry more than 3,000 Ethiopian Birr when entering or leaving the country. The limit is 10,000 if travelling to Djibouti. Excess cash will be seized and may lead to prosecution. In addition, you need an export certificate to take antiques out of the country. Owning ivory is strictly prohibited. Drug offences are treated seriously. Khat is legal within Ethiopia, but it is illegal to take it out of the country. Bags are regularly searched at the airport. Finally, you cannot import satellite phones and binoculars without prior approval.
Health
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) publishes this on the TravelHealthPro website. Only private hospitals in Addis Ababa offer a reasonable standard of basic care. Moreover, medical facilities are extremely poor outside the capital. Therefore, carry a comprehensive medical pack when travelling beyond Addis Ababa. Also make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds. These should cover medical treatment, air ambulance evacuation and repatriation. Malaria is common below 2,000m, and bilharzia is present in most Ethiopian lakes. So check before swimming, and drink only boiled or bottled water. Altitude sickness is also a risk in parts of Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa.
What to Bring
Bring lightweight, casual, non-synthetic clothing, because cotton and natural fibres are best. It should appropriately cover the body when you are in the company of local communities. In other words, it doesn't need to be fancy, but it needs to be respectful. Walking shoes or boots are the ideal footwear.
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. You're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself. For example, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase, especially when camping. We also recommend a sunhat, sun cream, a torch, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle. Finally, bring a power adapter for cameras, phones and laptops that will last a few days.
While You're There
The Ethiopian Birr is the local currency. You may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency. However, you must declare it on arrival on the blue customs form. In addition, you may only exchange foreign currency at authorised banks and hotels. Keep your exchange receipts, because you'll need them to change any leftover Birr back at the airport before departure. Ethiopia is largely a cash-based society. For example, credit cards are accepted at very few outlets in Addis Ababa. International debit cards work at major banks' ATMs in the capital. However, banking facilities are very limited elsewhere, so carry enough cash before travelling beyond Addis Ababa.
The best time to visit is January to March, with regular daily temperatures around 25°C and peak wildlife spotting. However, this is also the busiest season. The rainy season (April-September) brings soaring temperatures and humidity. In addition, some Lower Omo Valley roads are impassable May-August. October to December is an excellent time to visit, with lush countryside and fewer crowds. However, highland nights can drop to 5-10°C, so pack warm clothing. Ethiopia uses a 220V/50Hz supply with type C/E/F/L plugs. Bring an adapter, because they can be hard to find locally. Internet is available in most cities, although connections can be unstable, especially outside major towns.
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