The Danakil Depression Eritrea

By Author: Adulis Travel
Total Articles: 7
Comment this article

The Danakil depression is in many aspects the most unique of all of tourists' attractions in Eritrea. Also called Dankalia, it is the hottest region in the world. Its weather, water scarcity, and soil composition make it one of the most inhospitable places on the planet.

But, wait a minute; this description although very true is, at the same time, very misleading about the Danakil Depression. It is not just a desert, or rugged mountains, but also host of many geographical wonders and mysteries. Still stranger is the fact that this region is considered the cradle of humanity i.e. where anatomically modern human beings evolved. Most probably, the depression was not as hostile in those early periods of humans' evolution. The depression is the result of divergence of three tectonic plates which is a very rare geological phenomenon.

Apart from the geological weirdness, the Danakil depression Eritrea is also home to many fauna and flora. The wild life you might come across includes spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, Abyssinian hare, common warthog, squirrel, rock hyrax, gazelle, ostrich, Arabian and Kori bustards, Abyssinian ...
... Roller, and many more.

Let's know a little more about the unique and mysterious places of Danakil Depression for which it is very famous worldwide.

Africa's Great Rift Valley

The Danakil Depression of Eritrea is part of the Great East African Rift Valley. The rift valley is about 6,400 kilometers long and about 30-40 kilometers wide. It is only one of the two active rift valleys in the world, the other one being Baikal Rift Zone in Siberia, Russia which is 2000 kilometers long. The entire rift valley is full of too many geological wonders. So much so that at most places it doesn't even look a part of our earth. On some places it has large volcanic craters, some of which are continuously active. Somewhere the land is yellowish with Sulphur and Sulphuric acid. You would also come to see white sand with black mountains and blue sky as background.

The Legendry Nomads - Afar People

It seems improbable that human beings can sustain their life over a long period of time in such an inhospitable environment of the Danakil Depression. But it is home to legendary nomads – the Afar people. They are considered the most resilient people on the earth. Most of the Afar people mine salt from dry salt lakes of the Danakil Depression and sell it to markets in nearby towns. Some also tend goats and sheep and always keep traveling in search of lands with some water, grass and bushes. They are very hospitable and consider it their pride to serve visitors to their areas.

The Danakil depression is in many aspects the most unique of all of tourists' attractions in Eritrea. Also called Dankalia, it is the hottest region in the world. Its weather, water scarcity, and soil composition make it one of the most inhospitable places on the planet.

But, wait a minute; this description although very true is, at the same time, very misleading about the Danakil Depression. It is not just a desert, or rugged mountains, but also host of many geographical wonders and mysteries. Still stranger is the fact that this region is considered the cradle of humanity i.e. where anatomically modern human beings evolved. Most probably, the depression was not as hostile in those early periods of humans' evolution. The depression is the result of divergence of three tectonic plates which is a very rare geological phenomenon.

Apart from the geological weirdness, the Danakil depression Eritrea is also home to many fauna and flora. The wild life you might come across includes spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, Abyssinian hare, common warthog, squirrel, rock hyrax, gazelle, ostrich, Arabian and Kori bustards, Abyssinian Roller, and many more.

Let's know a little more about the unique and mysterious places of Danakil Depression for which it is very famous worldwide.

Africa's Great Rift Valley

The Danakil Depression of Eritrea is part of the Great East African Rift Valley. The rift valley is about 6,400 kilometers long and about 30-40 kilometers wide. It is only one of the two active rift valleys in the world, the other one being Baikal Rift Zone in Siberia, Russia which is 2000 kilometers long. The entire rift valley is full of too many geological wonders. So much so that at most places it doesn't even look a part of our earth. On some places it has large volcanic craters, some of which are continuously active. Somewhere the land is yellowish with Sulphur and Sulphuric acid. You would also come to see white sand with black mountains and blue sky as background.

The Legendry Nomads - Afar People

It seems improbable that human beings can sustain their life over a long period of time in such an inhospitable environment of the Danakil Depression. But it is home to legendary nomads – the Afar people. They are considered the most resilient people on the earth. Most of the Afar people mine salt from dry salt lakes of the Danakil Depression and sell it to markets in nearby towns. Some also tend goats and sheep and always keep traveling in search of lands with some water, grass and bushes. They are very hospitable and consider it their pride to serve visitors to their areas.

Discover Eritrea & Travel with an experienced tour operator Adulistravel.com. We offer exciting and tailor-made Eritrea Travel & Tour Packages in Eritrea.