Ethiopia

ETHIOPIA: DANAKIL EXPEDITION – Volcanoes, sulphur lakes, the Afar people of the Danakil Depression and the rare African Wild Ass

Somali Wild Asses

Even during the day, Erta Ale is mesmerising

The view from the famous Daniel Korkor church in Gheralta

On expedition in the otherworldly landscapes of the Danakil

Driving across Lake Assale, Danakil, Ethiopia

A priest of Lalibela holding an ancient goatskin bible (image by Inger Vandyke)

Afar children in the Danakil

The dramatic cliff walks to remote rock churches in Ethiopia (image by Inger Vandyke)

An Afar girl at the door of her hut (Image by Inger Vandyke)

Afar girls often braid their hair in elaborate styles using animal fat (Image by Inger Vandyke)

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

The spectacular waterfall at Awash (image by Mark Beaman)

Crystallised salt patterns in Lake Assale

A priest holding an ancient goat-skinned Bible inside the 5th century rock-hewn Abuna Yemata Church at Gheralta

St George at sunset (image by Inger Vandyke)

Ruins of a salt mine bridge near Lake Assale at dusk

Security guard of Lake Assale, also known as Lake Karum

Lake Asale salt pool

Two scientists standing on the crater rim of Erta Ale

The rarest wild horse on earth, the Somali Wild Ass, has a curious feature of striped legs

Smiling priest at Lalibela (image by Inger Vandyke)

Loading up a salt caravan

Erta Ale Volcano at sunset

A priest walks the knife-edge trail to Daniel Korkor Church in Gheralta

A priest sitting on the steps of St George in Lalibela

The landscape of Gheralta in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

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!

Somali Wild Ass in Serdo Mile Reserve. They are one of the rarest wild horses on earth

Awash National Park is the only place in Africa where you can photograph Northern Carmine Bee Eaters riding on the backs of bustards hoping to find food (image by Mark Beaman)

Sunset camel train in the Danakil

Lalibela priest (image by Inger Vandyke)

Afar people at home in the Danakil

Portrait of an Afar girl (image by Inger Vandyke)

The heart of Lalibela (image by Inger Vandyke)

A Beisa Oryx at Awash National Park (image by Mark Beaman)

Bet Mercurios church, Lalibela

Sunset on safari in Awash National Park (image by Inger Vandyke)

Another view of spectacular Erta Ale by night

Painted sashes at Lalibela (image by Inger Vandyke)

Barefoot in Lalibela (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

The windows of St George at Lalibela (image by Inger Vandyke)

The steep rock hewn architecture of Bet Mercurios church (image by Inger Vandyke)

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

The other-worldly pools of Dallol in Ethiopia (Image by Birding Abyssinia)

Portrait of an Afar girl in eastern Ethiopia (Image by Inger Vandyke)

The last salt caravan of the day in the Danakil Depression

The Danakil's famous Erta Ale volcano by night

Priest holding a crucifix in the subterranean churches of Lalibela (image by Inger Vandyke)

Beautiful rock formations at Lake Assale

Afar herders lead caravans of dromedaries from Hamed Ale hamlet to Lake Assale to load salt blocks and transport them to market hrough the Danakil Desert of Ethiopia

Afar herders lead caravans of dromedaries from Hamed Ale hamlet to Lake Assale to load salt blocks and transport them to market through the Danakil Desert of Ethiopia

Wild Nile Crocodile at the base of the waterfall in Awash National Park (image by Mark Beaman)

A priest enters a Lalibela church (image by Inger Vandyke)

A priest reads his bible inside Lalibela (image by Inger Vandyke)

Beautiful Beisa Oryx (image by Mark Beaman)

Lalibela's churches are so holy for its pilgrims that their outside walls are often kissed and blessed (image by Inger Vandyke)

A shaft of light shining on a Lalibela priest with his orthodox crucifix (image by Inger Vandyke)

Bible in the hands of a Lalibela priest (image by Inger Vandyke)

Wednesday 18th November – Sunday 29th November 2026 Leaders: Inger Vandyke and a local guide	12 Days	Group Size Limit 6
Pre-Tour Extension: Rock Churches of Lalibela Sunday 15th November – Wednesday 18th November 2026	4 Days	Group Size Limit 6
Post-Tour Extension: Mountain Churches of Gheralta Sunday 29th November – Tuesday 1st December 2026	3 Days	Group Size Limit 6

DANAKIL PHOTOGRAPHY EXPEDITIONS 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 make a short 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.

In recent months the region surrounding Erta Ale has once again become peaceful for tourism. Wild Images has engaged aspecialist Afar cultural guides to immerse our expedition group into the world of Afar, some of the most isolated ethnic people living in the entire Horn of Africa.

The Afar people are warrior tribe who are very good at using knives and daggers in battle. They are immensely proud of their culture, which is transmitted orally through poems and proverbs. There is a proverb in Afar that says: (koo liih anii macinay kamol ayyo mogolla) which means “I accept you in my home as a brother but I do not accept that you question my authority” a simple homily which underpins their warrior status among their neighbouring tribal people.

One of the Afar’s claims to fame is one of the world’s most important anthropological finds of last century. In 1974, anthropologists discovered a new species’ of man at Hadar in the Awash Valley in Ethiopia. This new species was termed Australopithecus afarensis (“afar ape-man”), and is believed to have walked around Eastern Africa between 2.9 to 3.8 million years ago. The body was found to be female and scientists named her Lucy. Lucy was able to walk upright on a human-like body but still retained a small ape-like head and primitive teeth. She now has a special home of her own in a museum at Addis Ababa and she is possibly one of the most visited museum exhibits in all of Ethiopia.

During our expedition we will have numerous opportunities to photograph Afar people including visiting them in villages, going livestock herding, visiting salt miners, searching for Afar salt caravans and also visiting them at a lively tribal market.

Along with searching for the world’s rarest wild horse, the Somali Wild Ass and visiting some of Africa’s most stunning landscapes, our Danakil Expedition is surely a once in a lifetime experience.

PRE-TOUR EXTENSION: The Rock Churches of Lalibela

In a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia, some 645 km from Addis Ababa, lies Lalibela, an earthly realm featuring eleven medieval monolithic churches that have been carved out of a rocky mountain. Their building is attributed to King Lalibela who set out to construct in the 12th century a ‘New Jerusalem’, after Muslim conquests halted Christian pilgrimages to the holy Land. Lalibela flourished after the decline of the Aksum Empire and today the sub-terranean churches stand as a testimony to a rich history of worship, pilgrimages and the orthodox Christian faith of Ethiopia.

We are offering a pre-tour extension to Lalibela to photograph these beautiful churches and their head priests during times of day where shafts of light might capture a silent pilgrim praying or a priest thumbing his ancient bible. Where the late afternoon sun will bath the clay walls in golden hues and walkways are plunged into ethereal shadowlands.

Lalibela is a magical place to begin your journey in Ethiopia as it offers a glimpse into the country’s oldest belief while we explore the most beautiful ancient churches of Africa.

POST TOUR EXTENSION: The Mountain Churches of Gheralta

Around two hours drive from the end point town of the Danakil Expedition, Mekelle, lies the dramatic rock escarpment of Gheralta. It pierces the skies above a vast wilderness area lending this mountain a truly otherworldly feel.

Hidden deep in these mountains’ precipitous cliffs are countless ancient cave churches, each adorned with intricately painted murals and housing ancient libraries of bibles and religious texts. Of these only around 35 of them are ‘accessible’ on steep hiking trails worn smooth by a millenia of barefooted pilgrims climbing the mountains to meet the resident priests and honour their saints.

Construction began on these churches in the fifth century when a nomadic priest by the name of Father Yemata sought isolation from the world, by scaling the lofty heights and carving these solitary spiritual spaces over the reminder of his life.As word spread of his constructions, more and more fellow aesthetics joined him to create places of worship that are now some of the most secluded and spectacular in all of Ethiopia.

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. On the extensions we will be staying at comfortable tourist-class hotels). Transport will be by four-wheel drive vehicles on all sections of the tour.

Walking

In most locations, walking distances are small and the walking relatively easy. At Erta Ale the hike to the volcano has been shortened recently to only around 40 minutes! It is a relatively easy hike on flat ground and assistance will be provided to carry our luggage and camp equipment so we can camp closer to the volcano itself.

In Lalibela the walking is on uneven ground but is mostly easy. In Gheralta there is hiking involved to reach the cliff churches but assistance will be provided.

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.

Drone photography is a wonderful inclusion of this tour. If you are planning to bring your drone on the expedition, please email our office to discuss the permissions and flying conditions for recreational drones in the Danakil.

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 at home in their villages
The stunning rainbow-hued volcanic landscapes of Dallol
The sculpted landscapes of Erta Ale and Hamed Ela
Join local Afar people as they go out herding their animals
A visit to the salt mines of Asale where workers still cut salt by hand
Camels carrying salt for the Afar traders on Lake Asale
Visit the bustling tribal market at Assaita for street photography of Afar people
A chance to photograph one of the rarest animals on earth, the Somali Wild Ass
Safaris to visit some of Ethiopia's most treasured wildlife including Beisa Oryx, Arabian Bustard and Somali Ostrich
A stopover at the breathtaking Awash Falls with its resident Nile Crocodiles
A Pre-tour extension to explore the iconic rock hewn churches of Lalibela
A Post-tour extension to visit the ancient cliff churches of Gheralta, some of the oldest churches in Ethiopia

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Pre-Tour Extension: The Rock Churches of Lalibela
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and overnight
Day 2: Morning flight to Lalibela with rest of the day spent exploring the churches
Day 3: A full day of photography inside the Lalibela churches
Day 4: After a final morning of photography in Lalibela, fly back to Addis Ababa
Main Tour: The Danakil Expedition
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and overnight
Day 2: Drive from Addis Ababa to Alledeghe via Awash National Park
Day 3: Full day on safari in Awash National Park with a final stop at the spectacular Awash Falls with its resident Nile Crocodiles
Day 4: Drive from Alledeghe to Sordo Mile where we will have our first safari searching for Somali Wild Ass
Day 5: Morning safari searching for Somali Wild Ass then an afternoon with an Afar people taking village and livestock herding photos
Day 6: Full day of photography with Afar people in their villages
Day 7: Full morning visit to the bustling tribal market of Afdera and then an afternoon at the salt mines to photograph the workers
Day 8: Full day with the Afar visiting them at their villages and salt mines. Late afternoon drive to Erta Ale volcano
Day 9: Full day at Erta Ale and the surrounding landscapes with visits to a local Afar village
Day 10: Leave Erta Ale early to visit Lake Assal and search for the salt caravans
Day 11: Full day in the rainbow coloured landscapes of Dallol
Day 12: Final morning of photography at Dallol and with the Afar people before flying from Mekele to Addis Ababa where our expedition will end.
Post-Tour Extension: The Mountain Churches of Gheralta
Day 1: Drive from Mekele to Gheralta and spend the remainder of the day exploring the churches in Gheralta
Day 2: A full day of exploring and photographing the cliff churches of Gheralta
Day 3: After a final sunrise at Gheralta, drive back to Mekele and fly to Addis Ababa where our tour will end.

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.

We also include these flights in our tour price:

Lalibela Extension – Return flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela

Danakil Expedition – One way flight from Mekele to Addis Ababa

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: provisionally £4800, $6490, €5480, AUD9790. Addis Ababa/Addis Ababa
Pre-Tour Extension: Rock Churches of Lalibela £1110, $1500, €1260, AUD2260. Addis Ababa/Addis Ababa
Post-Tour Extension: Mountain Churches of Gheralta £920, $1250, €1050, AUD1880. Mekele/Addis Ababa

Single Supplement: 2026: £140, $200, €160, AUD300.
Pre-Tour Extension: Rock Churches of Lalibela £90, $130, €100, AUD190.
Post-Tour Extension: Mountain Churches of Gheralta £80, $110, €90, AUD160.

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 DEPRESSION PHOTOGRAPHY EXPEDITION: DETAILED ITINERARY

LALIBELA EXTENSION

Lalibela: Day 1

Arrive in Addis Ababa and stay overnight.

Lalibela: Day 2

We will take an early morning flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela and spend the rest of the day photographing the rock hewn churches and their wonderful priests or “Abas” (fathers) until sunset

Lalibela: Day 3

A full day exploring light, shadows, and the beauty of Lalibela’s churches

Lalibela: Day 4

After a final morning of photography in Lalibla, fly back to Addis Ababa for the start of the main tour.

THE DANAKIL EXPEDITION

Danakil: Day 1

Our expeditions begins with our arrival in Addis Ababa where we will meet for a welcome dinner.

Danakil: Day 2

Our Danakil photography expedition begins this morning at Addis Ababa. We will leave Addis Ababa for the beautiful nature reserve of Awash. Situated close to the huge Danakil Depression, its hot and arid landscapes are home to beautiful Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s Gazelles, Northern Gerenuks, Sacred (or Hamadryas) Baboons, Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse and Arabian and White-bellied Bustards. With just a bit of luck we will see and photograph a Northern Carmine Bee-eater riding along on an Arabian Bustard’s back! One of the ‘Holy Grail’ wildlife images from Northeast Africa.

Overnight: Supported camping at Alledeghe.

Danakil: Day 3

Today we will be on safari in Awash National Park during the morning and afternoon with a midday break to escape the heat. Stretching vast expanses of savanna grasslands and featuring some beautiful wildllife, we will explore the landscapes of this beautiful reserve and visit the stunning Awash Falls for photography.

Overnight: Supported camping at Alledeghe.

Danakil: Day 4

After breakfast, we will leave Awash for Sordo Mile 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.

Overnight: Supported camping at Sordo Mile Reserve.

Danakil: Day 5

Today we will be on safari in Sordo Mile Wild Ass reserve during the morning. For the entire afternoon we will be visiting remote communities of the region’s Afar people and will join their herding activities for photography.

Overnight: Supported camping at Alalobed.

Danakil: Day 6

After packing up camp we will spend a full day visiting 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 with Afar men adorning their hair with ash from their fires mixed with animal fats.

Overnight: Hotel in Ardi

Danakil: Day 7

Today we will be visiting the bustling tribal market for Afar people at Asaita before we venture deep into the Danakil depression to Afdera where we will have the opportunity to swim and bathe in geothermal springs. Lying around 100m below sea level, Lake Afdera is one of the deepest depressions in the world. Finally we will go in search of traditional salt miners on the lake.

Overnight: Supported camp at Afdera

Danakil: Day 8

Today we will rise early to enjoy the stunning sun rise on the picturesque Lake Afdera. 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 Afdera to visit local Afar villages. Returning back to Afdera, we will then proceed onto Erta Ale where we will make a short 40 minute walk to 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.

Overnight: Supported camping at Erta Ale.

Danakil: Day 9

Full day exploring Erta Ale for photography with a rest in the middle of the day.

Overnight: Supported camping at Erta Ale.

Danakil: Day 10

This morning we will trek out of Erta Ale to be at the base camp early. From here we will drive on to the Dallol area to stay two nights at Hammed Ela. Here the dramatic desert landscapes turn into a rainbow of geothermal features softened by the expansive salt flats of Lake Assal.

Overnight: Supported camping at Hammed Ela.

Danakil: Day 11

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.

Danakil: Day 12

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 Mekele and our flight back to Addis where the expedition will end.

GHERALTA EXTENSION

Gheralta: Day 1

Guests ending the tour with the expedition will be transferred to the airport in Mekele for the flight to Addis Ababa.

Guests on the extension will drive from Mekele to Gheralta (around 2.5 hours) and spend the rest of the day exploring the landscapes and cliff churches of Gheralta.

Gheralta: Day 2

A full day exploring the ancient cliff churches of Gheralta

Gheralta: Day 3

After a final morning at Gheralta we will drive back to Mekele for our flight to Addis Ababa where our tour will end.

Please note: Day use hotel rooms are available at a small extra cost, on request.

Important: While we will endeavour to deliver our entire outlined itinerary, please note that if the situation on the ground changes in terms of security or if we hear of a special tribal celebration, we may need to adjust the itinerary to suit these events.