Travel to the Danakil Depression

[TangaEric]

Has anyone traveled - or know of someone who traveled - to the Danakil Depression recently? The best recent report I was able to read was http://blog.tracks4africa.co.za/the-...sion-part-one/. I have not been able to find part two of this report.

Would like to read some recent information on what traveling there in own vehicle entails.

Cheers,

Eric

[navalarchitect]

Originally Posted by TangaEric

Has anyone traveled - or know of someone who traveled - to the Danakil Depression recently? The best recent report I was able to read was http://blog.tracks4africa.co.za/the-...sion-part-one/. I have not been able to find part two of this report.

Would like to read some recent information on what traveling there in own vehicle entails.

Cheers,

Eric

I was in Ethiopia on a motorbike in early 2016. I was told no private foreign vehicles were allowed to the Danikal Depression area and consequently I went in as part a tour group from the town of Mekele.

I didn't make a huge effort to find out how strictly the rules were enforced or where exactly the exclusion zone was so can't give much specific info.

What I can say is the area was very hot and visiting the volcano Etta Ali involved a lot of driving over a large lava plain. I was very happy I was not on the bike.

Fyi the tour cost was $400 for 4 days and I thought was good value. Prices in Mekele are nominally $600 but it is easy to negotiate down to $500. Further down depends how desperate they are to fill a vehicle. Also the tour vehicle's each carried an Ethiopian Soldier and passed through quitete a few check points reinforcing it is unlikely they would let foreign vehicles in.

Hope this helps.

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[Tony LEE]

https://blog.tracks4africa.co.za/dan...sion-part-two/

[TangaEric]

Originally Posted by Tony LEE

https://blog.tracks4africa.co.za/dan...sion-part-two/

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the link. Looks like it is an arduous trip to make. I wonder if any kids have ever done it. I have two that will be just about 11 and 14 next year when we plan to visit Ethiopia. I'll try to get more info from the tour operators there. We would want to drive our own land cruiser into there if allowed to do so.

Cheers,

Eric

[Tony LEE]

Been having a look at a couple of the main tour companies and there was no mention of driving yourself on any of their offerings, but maybe they can arrange to tag along behind their convoys.

I've been revisiting this trip every now and then for quite a while and maybe will do it on the way back from Germany to Australia next year.

[TangaEric]

Originally Posted by navalarchitect

I was in Ethiopia on a motorbike in early 2016. I was told no private foreign vehicles were allowed to the Danikal Depression area and consequently I went in as part a tour group from the town of Mekele.

I didn't make a huge effort to find out how strictly the rules were enforced or where exactly the exclusion zone was so can't give much specific info.

What I can say is the area was very hot and visiting the volcano Etta Ali involved a lot of driving over a large lava plain. I was very happy I was not on the bike.

Fyi the tour cost was $400 for 4 days and I thought was good value. Prices in Mekele are nominally $600 but it is easy to negotiate down to $500. Further down depends how desperate they are to fill a vehicle. Also the tour vehicle's each carried an Ethiopian Soldier and passed through quitete a few check points reinforcing it is unlikely they would let foreign vehicles in.

Hope this helps.

Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

Martin, thank you very much for your input. Very helpful. I'd love to do it on my bike but I will be with my family next year and will try to go in with our 4X4 even if we have to go as part of a guided trip.

Cheers,

Eric