Danakil-Senke tours: What you should know before you start driving

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Danakil-Senke tours offer a fascinating insight into a remote part of the world. We give an insight into what you should know before you go

According to certain standards, the Danakil-Senke in Ethiopia is considered the hottest place on earth with temperatures that regularly reach 45 ° C (113 ° F). Despite the challenges associated with visiting such a remote and hostile environment, numerous tours for the Danakil-Senke are offered.

Surprisingly, tour operators tend to provide their potential customers very little information. Most websites of tour operators lack important information, e.g. B. what is to be expected and what is to be packed.

We recommend a tour of the Danakil-Senke when you visit Ethiopia, but such a trip may not be for everyone. We share our experiences and knowledge with those who hope to book a tour through one of the most hostile environments on earth.

what we did

We booked a 3-day tour with 2 nights and 3 days at Smiling Ethiopia, which are recommended in Lonely Planet Ethiopia. Various tour operators may offer different travel routes, but most follow something similar to the following.

day 1

8:00 p.m.: Departure from the hotel in Wukro / Mekele to Erta Ale, lunch on the go 3:00 p.m.: Arrival in the Erta Ale-Basislager17.00: Dinner in the Era Ale-Basislager18.00 p.m.

day 2

4:00 p.m.: Hike back to the Erta Ale-Baselager07.00: Breakfast in the Erta Ale-Baselager08.00: Ride to Dallol, lunch on the go 3:00 p.m.: Arrival in Ahmedlea near Dallol16.00 p.m.

day 3

06.00: Breakfast 07:00 p.m.: Visit to the Dallol-Schwefelsees, the Salzberge and the Salzminen 11:00 p.m.: Return to Wukro/Mekele with a stopover for lunch on the way 14/3:00 p.m.: Arrival in Wukro/Mekele

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Atlas & Boots

what is to be expected

A lack of infrastructure tours through the Danakil-Senke are no showers, toilets, electricity or fresh water available. You have to use the "bush" for toilet stops and do without washing. The entire drinking water should be provided by your guide, but it is worth checking this before departure. The "bush" mentioned is often only a ditch due to the lack of green in the desert.

alt = “Danakil Depression”> Atlas & Boots The bright African sun goes over the village of Ahmedlea near Dallol under

rapid pace The climb to the geta ale is quick. If you try to keep up with the leaders, just get faster! Expect that you have to hike uphill for three hours and three hours downhill, mostly in the dark, and don't be afraid to ask regular stops or a slower pace.

A hot climate (of course!) It is not for nothing that the "hottest place on earth" is called! Fortunately, most of the physical exertion takes place either after sunset or early in the morning. However, be warned that it can be uncomfortably hot in the region at any time of the day.

A colorful military scale military scale is mandatory on all tours through the Danakil-Senke. However, the accompanying persons change at every destination and their uniforms are very different. We had at least one official soldier, a police officer, a scout (unofficial guide) and a civilian civilian.

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A feeling of danger are careful. Don't get lost and do not leave your group. An older man on another tour left his group in the morning to get a lead and caused a big chaos in the camp. It is even more sobering that a tourist was shot just a few days after our visit.

Maybe you would also like to keep an eye on where your military escort is going to face his weapon. They are quite relaxed in positioning their weapons, which is a little annoying!

Long days in the car The distances between the most important sights are large and paved roads rarely. It is a three -hour bumpy and dusty journey from the paved road on the first day to get to the ETA Ale. There is an asphalt road under construction, which may not be finished for some time. The journey between Erta Ale and Dallol essentially takes a day trip, although there are regular stops for photo opportunities and lunch.

stragglers and random player our vehicle often sat a person we had no idea about. This is acceptable because the distances are so great that you cannot blame your tour guide for him to take people on the way. However, an explanation is rarely given and the free -riders are occasionally amazed or even annoyed. We had a passenger who played loudly on his phone for some time, and another who defuned the rear wheel during a photo stop.

Gasmaskenim base warehouse Erta ale were given to us gas masks for use on the edge of the volcano. The lava sulfur stamps are poisonous, so it is worth being careful and using them.

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children in the middle of the desertwenn they drive through the desert, do not be surprised if children appear out of the dust as if out of nowhere. The Afar live from the dry landscape and children can often hike.

Extreme poverty Although Ethiopia has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, it remains a very poor country. Necessity is widespread and around a third of the Ethiopians live in poverty. The Afar region and its hostile climate are particularly rough.

what pack

  • bright headlamp (one per person)
  • sleeping bag (easy is sufficient)
  • handkerchiefs/wet wipes
  • sunscreen
  • hat or sun hat
  • antibacterial gel
  • garbage bag

Danakil Depression tours: The essentials

was: Danakil depression tours in Ethiopia.

Where: Our tour through the Danakil-Senke was booked with a stay in the Wukro Lodge in the city of Wukro. This cozy eco-lodge uses solar energy and offers a traditional decor and an excellent view of the surrounding hills. There is free WiFi in public areas, a bar and a restaurant on site and a pool under construction.

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Atlas & Boots

As already mentioned, accommodation on tours in the Danakil-Senke is extremely easy. At Erta ale we tented on thin mattresses in a stone hut. On the second night we slept under the stars on provisional wooden beds. W

We recommend that you pack your own sleeping bag. While the area is known for rising temperatures, the nights become windy. Note that there is no chest of drawers, so you have to walk comfortably to follow the call of nature.

When: The best time for tours to the Danakil-Senke is between October and February, when the increasing temperatures are most bearable.

like: Our tour was with Smiling Ethiopia, which is recommended in Lonely Planet Ethiopia. We both were accompanied by an English-speaking guide, two drivers, two chefs and a two-person military, which were transported in two 4 × 4 vehicles.

The tour was well organized and as comfortable as it was possible in the area of ​​the lack of infrastructure in the area. (We recommend packing a bright headlamp, a sleeping bag, handkerchiefs/moisture cloths and an antibacterial gel.) Our off -road vehicles were robust and strong, and thanks to our talented cook Yidnak and his assistant we ate very well.

We paid 300 USD per person for a 3-day tour with 2 nights and Erta ale, Dallol and the salt levels of the Assale lake. It's expensive, but worth the money. An extended tour with 3 nights and 4 days costs $ 400 per person. Book Mulugeta Gebrhiwot: smilingthiopiatravel.com, smilingthiopiaravel@yahoo.com, (251-1) 150694.

Skybus and Selam run comfortable buses between Addis Ababa and Mekele, the starting point for Danakil tours. If you choose the Wukro Lodge, you can take a local bus from the Mekele bus station to Wukro (15 ETB, 0.5 USD per person; 48 km) and then take a tuk tuk to the base. The lodge is a five-minute trott uphill.

domestic flights are the fastest way to travel to Ethiopia (check the latest routes here). It is much cheaper to book flights in an Ethiopian Airlines office in the country. Be sure to state whether you have flown internationally with you because you are entitled to a significant discount.

Addis Ababa is the most important international airport in the country. Book international flights via skyscanner.net.

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LONELY PLANET ETHIOPIA is a comprehensive travel guide for the country, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take less busy roads. If you prefer to travel on a tour, we recommend G Adventures and their Ethiopia tours in small groups.

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