6-Day 5-Nights Afar the Land of Origin Tour

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Addis Ababa to Awash National Park

Depart early from Addis Ababa and drive east toward Awash National Park, enjoying scenic Rift Valley landscapes along the way. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive across savannah plains and river valleys. Spot diverse wildlife including oryx, baboons, kudu, warthogs, gazelles, and many bird species. With luck, you may also see predators such as lions or leopards. Enjoy sunset views over the Awash Gorge before dinner and overnight stay in lodge or camping inside the park.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Best Time To Visit October to February (Little rain and less hot)

High Season September to April (The park is never busy)

Best Weather October to February

Wildlife in Awash NP

Olive Baboon Abundant

Beisa Oryx Common

Soemmerring's
Gazelle Common

Hamadryas
Baboon Common

Salt's Dik-dik Common

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Lesser Kudu Occasional

Desert Warthog Occasional

Defassa Waterbuck Occasional

Nile Crocodile Occasional

Spotted Hyena Occasional

Guereza Monkey Rare

Ethiopian Wolf None

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

• Inside Awash NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Awash to Afdera Salt Lake Region

After breakfast, journey deeper into the Afar region toward Lake Afdera, passing volcanic and desert landscapes. Arrive at the striking salt lake surrounded by black basalt mountains. Witness traditional salt extraction activities performed by Afar nomads, an ancient livelihood still practiced today. Learn about camel caravans and local trade routes that connect the desert to Ethiopia’s interior. Relax in nearby hot springs before enjoying dinner and overnight camping under the desert sky.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Afdera to Erta Ale Volcano

Continue driving toward Erta Ale Volcano, one of the world’s most active shield volcanoes. In the afternoon, begin a guided hike (or camel ride) to the crater rim. After sunset, descend into the volcanic caldera to witness the glowing lava lake—one of the rarest natural phenomena on Earth. Experience the intense heat and surreal atmosphere before camping overnight on the volcano rim under a star-filled desert sky.

Main Destination:

Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Erta Ale to Hamed Ela

Wake early to watch sunrise over the lava lake before descending from the volcano. After breakfast, drive to Hamed Ela through dramatic desert terrain and lava fields. Along the way, enjoy views of volcanic formations and Afar nomadic settlements. Arrive at camp in the late afternoon and relax after the challenging trek. Dinner and overnight stay in a desert campsite surrounded by silence and vast landscapes.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Ahmed Ela Camp

• Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Dallol & Lake Asale – Mekele

After breakfast, travel to Dallol, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth. Explore its surreal mineral formations with vivid colors of yellow, green, and red created by volcanic activity. Continue to Lake Asale, where Afar communities harvest salt and organize camel caravans across the desert. Observe traditional salt mining techniques and cultural life of the nomads. In the afternoon, drive to Mekele for hotel check-in and overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Mekele (City)

Accommodation:

Planet Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Mekele (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mekele to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, transfer to Mekele airport for your domestic flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, optional short city tour or shopping for souvenirs and coffee experience before your final airport transfer. This marks the end of your unforgettable Afar desert expedition, filled with volcanoes, salt lakes, and dramatic landscapes.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.