The Desert of Danakil
Nature on our Earth sometimes surprises, delights and pleases so much that it is simply impossible to resist its masterpieces. Most of these natural landscapes are simply beyond the power of human imagination and hands. But besides beautiful natural paintings, she is capable of creating terrifying things. Among such terrible earthly places is the Ethiopian Danakil desert, which is considered a hellish home.
And the thing is that Danakil is a kind of homeland of volcanoes, it is in this place that there are many dangerous reservoirs that contain sulfur. Harmful fumes often rise into the air and hover above the ground in the form of fog. It is very dangerous for a person to be in such a place, because this unfavorable situation has a very negative effect on the well-being and health of the human body.
In this eerie desert place in the middle of Africa, once there was a fracture of the plates of the earth's crust, as a result of which such terrible conditions were formed. Volcanic eruptions never stop in the Danakil desert, the earth is constantly shaking here, and at night you can watch the lava lake glow.
Not everyone comes up with the idea of making an excursion to the Danakil desert, but those who are lucky enough to visit it will never forget such unusual natural landscapes. It turns out that for such a dangerous walk, you need to pay a lot of money. Local guides earn good money from this, who claim that such an unusual trip is much more exciting than visiting a beautiful and safe attraction.
The most active volcano in Ethiopia is considered to be Erta Ale, whose name translates as "Smoking Mountain". This 613-meter volcano has been active continuously since 1967. The only active lava lake in the world is located near it. Lake Afera, bright with green water, is simply amazing, the shores of which are saturated with whole deposits of salts.
Since ancient times, salt has been a kind of monetary unit for Ethiopia. Kings sent whole caravans loaded with salt to exchange it for other goods. Sometimes, in exchange for white salt, they brought whole bars of gold. Even in our time, the Afar nomads, who consider themselves the masters of the area, export salt, trying to exchange it for other goods.
The Danakil desert has never welcomed tourists on its territory. If you still decide on such a risky expedition, then December or February will be the best time for it, when the air temperature is slightly lower than in other months. Special training is also necessary for such conditions, because without it it is difficult to withstand more than an hour here.
An expedition to the Danakil desert can be completed from the capital of Ethiopia, as well as the city of Mekele. To take a ride in a rented car to this area, you must first obtain a permit and hire an experienced guide. For your own safety, ask about the general situation in the desert, because there are known cases of murders of tourists, as well as their abductions.
You can get to Ethiopia by plane, which arrives in Addis Ababa. From the capital, you will have to fly to the city of Mekele, from where special expeditions to this terrifying place are organized.
There will be no problems with overnight accommodation, because there are many hotels in Addis Ababa at your service. You can afford to eat in Ethiopia even in the most expensive restaurant, because the food here is not expensive.
