Hightlight
- Natural Wonder
The Danakil Depression is a surreal, alien landscape that feels like it belongs on another planet entirely. As one of the hottest and lowest points on earth, it is a place of extreme beauty where the earth’s crust is at its thinnest, resulting in a kaleidoscope of sulfurous yellow springs and bubbling lava lakes. The neon-bright colors of the salt pools at Dallol contrast sharply against the stark, white salt pans where Afar miners still harvest salt by hand in the sweltering heat. At night, the glow from the active volcano Erta Ale illuminates the sky, offering a rare chance to look directly into a boiling pit of molten rock. It is a harsh, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable environment that challenges every sense.
- Where it is: In the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia.
- What you can expect to see: Neon-yellow salt pools of Dallol, Erta Ale lava lake, and manual salt mining operations.
- How much it is to get in: Usually visited via organized tours ($400 – $600 USD).
- What people say: Travelers describe it as ‘another planet’ and the most extreme travel experience one can have.
- Interesting fact: This area is known as the ‘Cradle of Humanity,’ where the fossil ‘Lucy’ was discovered.
