3 Day Danakil Depression Ertale and Dallol Tours

We spent 3 days exploring the Danakil Depression and it was honestly one of the most unforgettable experiences of our trip to Ethiopia. The landscape is incredible — huge salt flats, colorful mineral formations, desert scenery, and places that look like they belong on another planet. The journey is not always easy because of the heat and long drives, but that is also part of the adventure. Our driver and guide were friendly, helpful, and always made sure we were comfortable and safe. The food and camping arrangements were also better than we expected considering how remote the area is. What I enjoyed most was seeing such a completely different side of Ethiopia and experiencing a place that feels so far away from everyday life. If you are adventurous and want to see something truly unique, I would definitely recommend doing the 3-day Danakil trip. It was an experience I will remember for a long time!

One of the most dangerous tour companies I have ever dealt with. They advertised that we would visit the volcano, but we never went and were then lied to about it. Even more concerning, they took us into 50+ degree desert in an extremely remote area with no spare tyre. This is an unacceptable and potentially life threatening safety failure. The Danakil Depression is already an incredibly harsh environment. A tour operator taking tourists into these conditions without basic vehicle contingency planning is completely reckless. The driver (Danny) was also rubbing another female tour member on the thigh inappropriately. When the boss Mick was informed, he blamed the female tourist... I would strongly recommend avoiding this company. Your safety is not something worth gambling on.

Our family joined the 3 Day Danakil Depression, Erta Ale and Dallol Tour with Danakil Depression Tours, and it was an experience we'll never forget. From witnessing the glowing lava at Erta Ale Volcano to exploring the colorful geothermal formations of Dallol, every day felt like an adventure on another planet. The scenery was unlike anything we had ever seen, and our guide made the journey even more enjoyable by sharing fascinating facts about the region's geology, history, and Afar culture. Despite the challenging environment, everything was exceptionally well organized, and the team made sure we were comfortable and well cared for throughout the trip. Thanks to Danakil Depression Tours, our family created unforgettable memories while discovering one of the world's most extraordinary destinations.

I was prepared to give 5 stars because coordination with the operator (Mickey) went so smoothly at the beginning and I’ve only read good things about them, but several things got horribly wrong during our trip. 1. The tour is listed as “3 Days Danakil Depression, Erta Ale, and Dallol” but when we got there, the local guide informed us that Erta Ale has no longer been visited for the past 6 months due to unfavorable conditions (so much smoke coming out, magma lake not visible, pointless to go, etc.) and that they’ll change the 2nd night to stay in Semera and have you visit just some random hot springs for the 3rd day instead. It’d be perfectly understandable if the volcano started acting up a few days or trips prior since nature is unpredictable—but as this has been going on for 6 months already, I find it hard to believe that the operator didn’t know about it and highly sketchy that they didn’t modify the tour/price to reflect this. It is literally on the tour name. The tour itinerary and the price should reflect this change. On top of this, after Mickey was informed that our 4x4 already had its tires punctured with no spares available (at that point we had already been stranded the first time), he insisted with the local guides that we still proceed to Erta Ale despite knowing we wouldn’t be able to see anything, that the surrounding landscape would suffice—which is not what we paid/signed up for? Then of course, our tyre punctured a 2nd time in the desert leaving us stranded again for hours with no nearby rescue. I can’t imagine how worse that could have been if we had indeed proceeded to Erta Ale and our tyre punctured along the volcanic trail with no reception. That’s a real risk of death. They completely disregarded our safety in the process. 2. Our driver Danny was the worst. Our 4x4’s tires got punctured but he didn’t prepare for even one spare. What could’ve been a simple fix led to us being stranded twice in the middle of nowhere for hours. It was completely reckless and irresponsible. Also a note to female travellers: he kept coming onto me since the first day (hands lingered on my thigh/knee without consent and explicitly asking if I wanted to “get to work right after dinner”) and I couldn’t sleep properly the first night terrified he might do something. Being in a very isolated area, my priority was just getting back safely in the airport so I didn’t raise the alarm bells for everyone during the trip. I raised this with Mickey only afterwards, and only got an apology with no real reparations. Dallol is exceptional and our guide Aman was fantastic. But a horrible experience overall.

My partner and I booked the 3-Day Excursions to the Danakil Depression in Ertale and Dallol with Danakil Depression Tours, and it was truly the adventure of a lifetime. Watching the glowing lava at Erta Ale under the night sky and exploring the colorful geothermal formations of Dallol felt like stepping onto another planet. Every part of the journey was carefully organized, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, making sure we were safe, comfortable, and informed throughout the trip. We also appreciated learning about the Afar culture and the unique environment that makes the Danakil Depression unlike anywhere else on Earth. Thanks to Danakil Depression Tours, this challenging adventure became one of the most memorable experiences we've ever shared together.

Three unforgettable days exploring one of the most extreme places on Earth. Traveling solo through the Danakil Depression, I witnessed the surreal colors of Dallol, stood at the edge of the active Erta Ale volcano, crossed endless salt flats, and experienced landscapes unlike anywhere else. A challenging adventure filled with incredible views, unforgettable moments, and the raw beauty of Ethiopia.

My friends and I booked the 3-day Erta Ale and Dallol tour with Danakil Depression Tours, and it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable adventures we've ever had. From watching the glowing lava at Erta Ale to exploring the colorful salt formations in Dallol, every stop felt unreal. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and made sure everyone stayed safe despite the extreme conditions. The organization was excellent from start to finish, and we never had to worry about the logistics. If you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with friends, this tour is absolutely worth it.

Everything was great! We came from Russia, three friends. Found the guys online. They're the real professionals. Our driver Hermes is super and guide Haman too! They were very nice and caring and did everything to keep us happy. Just a super tour and super guys! I sincerely recommend it!

We had an unforgettable 3-day adventure to Dallol and Erta Ale with Danakil Depression Tours. From the very beginning, everything was handled professionally and efficiently. Our tour operator, Mickey, was incredibly responsive—always quick to reply and very helpful in organizing every detail of the trip. Our guide, Yohanse, was excellent throughout the journey. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made sure we felt safe and comfortable in such an extreme environment. His experience really added value to the whole trip. The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to fully enjoy the surreal landscapes of Dallol and the incredible experience of visiting the Erta Ale volcano. The team on the ground was organized and supportive at every step. We also noticed that the company runs tours almost every day, which shows how reliable and established they are. Everything went smoothly from start to finish, and we highly recommend Danakil Depression Tours to anyone looking for a well-organized and memorable experience in Ethiopia.

I had an amazing experience on the Danakil Depression tour! Everything was well organized, and the landscapes were absolutely breathtaking. A special thank you to our guide Abe and our driver Abebaw — they were both fantastic. Abe was very knowledgeable, friendly, and made the trip even more enjoyable with his explanations. Abebaw was an excellent driver, making us feel safe and comfortable throughout the journey, even in challenging conditions. This is truly an unforgettable experience that I will never forget. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Ethiopia!