Ethiopia
ETHIOPIA: DANAKIL EXPEDITION – Volcanoes, sulphur lakes, the Afar people of the Danakil Depression and the rare African Wild Ass
View from the crater rim of Erta Ale, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, into the active, red-glowing lava lake. Erta Ale is a continuously active basaltic shield volcano in the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia, only some kilometers from the border with Eritrea
Portrait of an Afar girl in eastern Ethiopia (Image by Inger Vandyke)
Another view of spectacular Erta Ale by night
Somali Wild Asses
Afar girls often braid their hair in elaborate styles using animal fat (Image by Inger Vandyke)
The volcanic explosion crater of Dallol in the Danakil Depresseion in Nothern Ethiopia. The Dallol crater was formed during a phreatic eruption in 1926. This crater is known for the lowest subaerial vulcanic vents in the world. The surreal colours are caused by green acid ponds and iron oxides and sulphur
Danakil Depression landscape. Suphur, salts and other minerals paint the waters of the Danakil with fantastic colours
The volcanic landscapes of Erta Ale feature rock stacks and pinnacles that create a geological wonderland
A caravan of camels on their way through the Ass Ale salt lake in the Danakil Desert in Ethiopia. Every day more than 1000 camels are arriving at this place, where the Afar people are braking plates of salt out of the ground. The traders are buying these salt-blocks and transporting them with their caravans of camels and donkeys in 5-6 days back to the Highlands of Northern Ethiopia!
The other-worldly pools of Dallol in Ethiopia (Image by Birding Abyssinian)
Portrait of a young Afar girl in eastern Ethiopia (Image by Inger Vandyke)
The Danakil's famous Erta Ale volcano by night
Crystallised salt patterns in Lake Assale
An Afar girl at the door of her hut (Image by Inger Vandyke)
Afar herders lead caravans of dromedaries from Hamed Ale hamlet to Lake Assale to load salt blocks and transport them to market in Berahile town through the Danakil Desert of Ethiopia
The last salt caravan of the day in the Danakil Depression
Driving across Lake Assale, Danakil, Ethiopia
Two scientists standing on the crater rim of Erta Ale
Even during the day, Erta Ale is mesmerising
View from the crater rim of Erta Ale, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, into the active, red-glowing lava lake. Erta Ale is a continuously active basaltic shield volcano in the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia, only some kilometers from the border with Eritrea
Portrait of an Afar girl in eastern Ethiopia (Image by Inger Vandyke)
Another view of spectacular Erta Ale by night
Somali Wild Asses
Afar girls often braid their hair in elaborate styles using animal fat (Image by Inger Vandyke)
The volcanic explosion crater of Dallol in the Danakil Depresseion in Nothern Ethiopia. The Dallol crater was formed during a phreatic eruption in 1926. This crater is known for the lowest subaerial vulcanic vents in the world. The surreal colours are caused by green acid ponds and iron oxides and sulphur
Danakil Depression landscape. Suphur, salts and other minerals paint the waters of the Danakil with fantastic colours
The volcanic landscapes of Erta Ale feature rock stacks and pinnacles that create a geological wonderland
A caravan of camels on their way through the Ass Ale salt lake in the Danakil Desert in Ethiopia. Every day more than 1000 camels are arriving at this place, where the Afar people are braking plates of salt out of the ground. The traders are buying these salt-blocks and transporting them with their caravans of camels and donkeys in 5-6 days back to the Highlands of Northern Ethiopia!
The other-worldly pools of Dallol in Ethiopia (Image by Birding Abyssinian)
Portrait of a young Afar girl in eastern Ethiopia (Image by Inger Vandyke)
The Danakil's famous Erta Ale volcano by night
Crystallised salt patterns in Lake Assale
An Afar girl at the door of her hut (Image by Inger Vandyke)
Afar herders lead caravans of dromedaries from Hamed Ale hamlet to Lake Assale to load salt blocks and transport them to market in Berahile town through the Danakil Desert of Ethiopia
The last salt caravan of the day in the Danakil Depression
Driving across Lake Assale, Danakil, Ethiopia
Two scientists standing on the crater rim of Erta Ale
Even during the day, Erta Ale is mesmerising
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Tuesday 1st December –
Friday 11th December 2026 Leaders: Wild Images Leader to be announced and a local guide |
11 Days | Group Size Limit 6 |
DANAKIL PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS WITH WILD IMAGES: OVERVIEW
The remote Danakil Depression in northeastern Ethiopia, technically described as the hottest place on earth, is home to some of the most stunning and otherworldly landscapes in Africa. Imagine a vast, volcanic landscape with active lava craters and fields of rainbow-coloured, mineralised lakes, nomadic tribal people who mine salt and carry it for miles across salt lakes in a trade that has lasted for centuries and this is the Danakil Depression in northern Ethiopia. Now, this amazing place certainly ranks as landscape and people photography with a difference!
During our visit to the Danakil, we will spend search for the world’s rarest wild horse, the Somali Wild Ass, in the remote Mile Serdo Wild Ass Reserve, we will trek into the spectacular live volcano of Erta Ale, visit nomadic Afar people, swim in some of the area’s geothermal springs, visit one of the deepest depressions of Africa (down to 116 metres below sea level) and explore the sulphur lakes and fumaroles of the incredible Dallol.
Accommodation and Transport
Accommodation on the expedition (outside Addis Ababa, where we have a comfortable hotel) will be fully supported camping that will include generators for refrigerators and charging batteries. Transport will be by four-wheel drive vehicles.
Walking
In most locations, walking distances are small and the walking relatively easy. At Erta Ale things are more demanding. When we hike to the active volcano crater of Erta Ale and back, the treks take about four hours and temperatures are high. During the visit to Erta Ale, your luggage will be transported by camels along with all of the other equipment we require to camp for two nights at this remote volcano.
Climate
The Danakil Depression has been classified as one of the hottest places on earth. Our expedition has been timed to take place in the coolest time of year, when temperatures will average between 30 and 40C during the day. Owing to geothermal heat, the nighttime temperatures are around 30C in some areas (for example Erta Ale) but much cooler in others.
Photographic Equipment
For the Somali Wild Asses and birds we may encounter on the expedition a lens with a focal length of 400-600mm is recommended. (If your budget does not run to prime lenses, a high-quality 100-400mm or similar zoom can be a great alternative.) Alternatively, you can get wonderful results with a high-quality digital compact camera with a 20x or higher optical zoom.
For landscape and night photography we suggest you bring a wide-angle lens from 10mm upwards.
For the Afar people, you may wish to have either a wide-angle lens, point-and-shoot camera, a standard zoom i.e. 24-105mm or even a smart phone or a tablet!
If you have questions about what equipment you ought to bring, please contact us.
Photographic Highlights
- Two full nights at Erta Ale to get the best shots of the volcanic crater at dawn and dusk
- Visits to the nomadic Afar people of the Danakil
- The stunning volcanic landscapes of Dallol
- Camels carrying salt for the Afar traders on Lake Asale
- A chance to photograph one of the rarest animals on earth, the Somali Wild Ass
OUTLINE ITINERARY
To see a larger map, click on the square-like ‘enlarge’ icon in the upper right of the map box.
To see (or hide) the ‘map legend’, click on the icon with an arrow in the upper left of the map box.
To change to a satellite view, which is great for seeing the physical terrain (and for seeing really fine details by repetitive use of the + button), click on the square ‘map view’ icon in the lower left corner of the ‘map legend’.
PRICE INFORMATION
Wild Images Inclusions: Our prices include surface transportation, accommodations, meals and entrance fees. Our tour prices also include all tipping, including tips for local guides, drivers, camp staff, accommodations and local people who are willing to be photographed.
Deposit: 20% of the total tour price. Our office will let you know what deposit amount is due, in order to confirm your booking, following receipt of your online booking form.
TO BOOK THIS TOUR: Click here (you will need the tour dates)
2026: provisional £3810, $4990, €4590, AUD7530. Addis Ababa/Addis Ababa.
Single Supplement: 2026: £150, $200, €180, AUD300.
If you are travelling alone, the single supplement will not apply if you are willing to share a room and there is a room-mate of the same sex available.
This tour is priced in US Dollars. Amounts shown in other currencies are indicative.
Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency will be pleased to arrange your air travel on request, or you may arrange this yourself if you prefer.
ETHIOPIA: DANAKIL PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR: DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1
Our Danakil photography expedition begins this morning at Addis Ababa. We will leave Addis Ababa for Gedamaitu to begin our journey into the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest parts of Africa. Though long, today’s drive is fairly easy and on a very good road passing through flat and fertile farmlands, extensive lava beds, craters and volcanic cones. After a brief stop for lunch at Awash, we will then continue our drive onto Gedamaitu where will stay for three nights in tented camps. We will use Gedamaitu as a base to explore the Mile-Serdo Wild Ass Reserve.
Overnight: Supported camping at Gedamaitu.
Day 2
After breakfast, we will leave Gedamaitu for a full-day excursion into the Mile-Serdo Wild Ass Reserve. Covering 8766 square kilometres, this remote and arid habitat is primarily established to conserve the Critically Endangered African Wild Ass. As the fragile ecosystem is utilized by local pastoralists and their livestock, encountering the wild ass is not an easy task but with persistence we should be successful.
We will also search for other wildlife in the area during our safaris into the reserve. Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Northern Gerenuk and Soemmering’s Gazelle are all found in the reserve and the diverse birdlife includes the huge Arabian Bustard. Sometimes colourful Northern Carmine Bee-eaters can be seen riding on a bustard’s back, using the bird as a mobile lookout post from which to sally after insects!
Overnight: Supported camping at Gedamaitu.
Day 3
Today we will explore the Serdo section of the Wild Ass reserve, and if time permits we will enjoy our first visit to this region’s Afar villages.
Overnight: Supported camping at Serdo.
Day 4
After packing up camp we will leave Serdo for the three-hour drive to Afrera. En route we will visit traditional Afar people and their homes. The Afar are more ethnically related to Somalis than Ethiopians, yet the largest population of nomadic Afar people now reside in Ethiopia. Their huts are often equipped with simple but efficient utensils and tools for everyday life. The Afar tribes are adorned with striking traditional costumes and elaborate hairstyles. After visiting the Afar we will continue our drive onto Afrera to stay overnight. Staying here will give us the opportunity to swim and bathe in geothermal springs. Lying around 100m below sea level, Lake Afrera is one of the deepest depressions in the world.
Overnight: Supported camping at Afrera
Day 5
Today we will rise early to enjoy the stunning sun rise on the picturesque Lake Afrera. We will take a walk on the salt flat and photograph the local Afar people obtaining salt by evaporating the water of the lake. Then, we will drive around three kilometres from Afrera to visit a local Afar village. Returning back to Afrera, we will then proceed onto Askoma where we will enjoy a picnic lunch before we collect our local security guards, road guide and camels for transporting your camping gear to the incredible volcanic crater of Erta Ale. We will then start our four-hour trek to the New Erta Ale, which is around 3.5km south from the Old Erta Ale to spend two nights at the top of one of Africa’s most active volcanoes. That evening we will enjoy the night watching and photographing the constantly bubbling and exploding lava of Erta Ale’s crater. At the time of writing it is possible to approach the lava within 10-15 meters range. Our camp for the night will be in a shed of thatched stone huts under the stars. Due to the rocky geological nature of Erta Ale it is not possible to camp in tents.
Overnight: Supported camping at Erta Ale
Day 6
Full day exploring the rim of the volcano.
Overnight: Supported camping at Erta Ale
Day 7
This morning we will start early to trek out of Erta Ale to be at the base camp for around 9:30 AM. From here we will drive on to the Dallol area to stay two nights at Hammed Ela. The eighty-kilometre rough road between Erta Ale and Hammed Ela will take around six hours to drive. The dramatic desert landscape changes from solidified lava to rocks and sand making the drive one of the highlights of the Danakil Depression.
Overnight: Supported camping at Hammed Ela
Day 8
Today we will spend the full day exploring the Dallol area. At 116 meters below sea level, Dallol is the lowest point in Ethiopia and one of the lowest in Africa. Dallol is home to amazing mineral formations, strange colours, bubbling sulphur/hot springs and much more. We will have also an opportunity to visit Lake Asale where the local Afar men mine salt slabs by hand and load them up on camels for transport to sell.
Overnight: Supported camping at Hammed Ela
Day 9
We will spend the first part of today photographing places we have enjoyed already in Dallol but would like to return to for more shots. We will then leave Hammed Ela for Afrera where we will camp overnight.
Day 10
Today we will return to Addis Ababa for an overnight stay.
Day 11
Our expedition ends this morning at Addis Ababa. Airport transfers will be provided (or you can elect to leave Addis by air the previous late evening if you find this more convenient.)