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Road through Danakil Depression in Ethiopia?

Hello fellow travelers!
I'm asking if anybody has driven (or at least knows safely about) the stretch of road between Mekele and Semera (or Asaita), via Afrera lake? How are the conditions of the road? Is there any type of public transport?
I'm a backpacker visiting Ethiopia in coming March.
Thanks in advance!
Alex

You'd be better off asking this on the ThornTree. (www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree)

As i understand, all travel in the Afar region requires that you join one of their tours, and have Afar guides.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland (Post 524477)

You'd be better off asking this on the ThornTree. (www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree)

As i understand, all travel in the Afar region requires that you join one of their tours, and have Afar guides.

I've done it already!
Joining an organised tour is the "easy" choice....
I'm looking what are my alternatives, that's why I'm asking here as well... to know from travelers who may've done it "independently"!

check out Slow Donkey | Slow donkey through Africa
they were there in just the past few weeks.

good luck.

kp

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumaru (Post 524482)

The Slow Donkey people did it 'independently' with their own vehicle, and a police escort.

Road through Danakil Depression in Ethiopia?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Temporaryescapee (Post 524492)

Is that a problem?

Thank you for your answer!
However "Slow donkey" have done the Danakil expedition as an add-on vehicle to an organised tour of Ethio Travel and Tours....
I wanted to know if a really undependent "approach" is feasible...

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepinproject (Post 524579)

As far as I know, the last 3-4 years there must be nobody that tried by himself but with organised tours.

You can easily join an organised tour with your own vehicle but its not worthwhile. The roads are too bad in some cases, you can easily get lost and there are some parts that you really need someone who knows the region and the local people. For 300 euros, you can enjoy the tour with some peace of mind and park your vehicle in the hotel!

We are totally against organised tours and it was our only organised tour in whole Africa. Totally rewarding, value for money and extremely interesting!

If you are still interested, go to Johannes Hotel in Mekele and ask for Ababa, the girl that books the Danakil Tours. She and her brother run the company.

First of all, thanks for your answer!
In fact, I don't have a vehicle, I'm just a backpacker travelling alone. I prefer exploring by myself and coming in contact with the locals, instead of being guided in an organised tour...
However, as I expect Danakil to be one of the highlights of my 20-day visit to Ethiopia, I've to find a way in...
It seems that even if I find a transport upto Afrera, it would be difficult reach Erta Ale from there... So an agency is the only solution!?!?!

Is Ababa's "Danakil Tours", you've mentioned, different from the "Ethio Tours and Travel"? Is there just a 2-day tour just to Erta Ale except the 4-day one including Dallol as well?

Υ.Γ. Νίκο σ' ευχαριστώ για την απάντηση! Διάβασα την αιθιοπική "πινέζα" σου και ήταν πλήρως κατατοπιστική! Καλούς δρόμους στο Αμέρικα...!