4×4 Ethiopia Tour – Danakil Depression & Awash National Park
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime 4×4 Ethiopia Tour to the otherworldly landscapes of the Danakil Depression and the wild terrain of Awash National Park. This adventurous journey takes you into one of the most geologically active and remote regions on the planet, where lava lakes, salt flats, and camel caravans offer an unforgettable travel experience. Ideal for intrepid explorers, this Ethiopia 4×4 Tour showcases the raw beauty of Ethiopia’s volcanic heartland and rich wildlife reserves.
Quick Tour Highlights
- Witness molten lava at the Erta Ale Volcano
- Camp in the volcanic hills of the Danakil Depression
- Explore the salt mines of Lake Afdera
- Meet the Afar people and see camel caravans
- Game drives and hyena sightings in Awash National Park
- Birdwatching and wildlife viewing in Ethiopia’s oldest park
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa – Ethiopia
Your 4×4 Ethiopia Tour begins in Addis Ababa, where you’re met at Bole International Airport and transferred to your comfortable 4-star hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy an optional city tour of Ethiopia’s capital. Visit landmarks such as the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the National Museum, home of the famous fossil “Lucy.”
Accommodation: Jupiter Hotel or similar
Day 2: Fly to Semera & Drive to Erta Ale – Ethiopia
Catch a morning flight to Semera, capital of the Afar Region. From here, your 4×4 journey takes you to Dodom village at the base of the Erta Ale volcano. Travel across the Afar Triangle, a geological wonderland known as the cradle of humanity. In the evening, trek with camels to the rim of the active Erta Ale volcano. Watch in awe as one of only five permanent lava lakes in the world glows in the darkness, bubbling and spitting molten rock under a starry sky.
Accommodation: Camping at Erta Ale Volcano
Day 3: Drive to Lake Afdera – Ethiopia
After breakfast, travel deeper into the Danakil Depression to Lake Afdera. Stop to meet the Afar people and witness life in this extreme environment. At Lake Afdera, walk among expansive salt flats and observe traditional salt mining practices. Camp tonight at this surreal lake, one of the lowest points on Earth at 103 meters below sea level.
Accommodation: Camping at Afdera
Day 4: Drive to Awash National Park – Ethiopia
Depart Lake Afdera and journey south to Awash National Park in the Great Rift Valley. Later, visit Hyena Hill near Mount Fentale, where over 200 hyenas reside. With luck, you’ll spot packs of these elusive predators and hear their eerie calls echoing through the volcanic caves at dusk.
Accommodation: Awash Falls Hotel
Day 5: Game Viewing in Awash National Park – Ethiopia
Explore Awash National Park on a 4×4 game drive. This scenic reserve is home to over 80 species of mammals, including Beisa oryx, warthogs, baboons, gazelles, and kudus. The park is also a birdwatching paradise with more than 460 recorded species. The rugged terrain, river gorges, and Mount Fentale backdrop create a striking natural setting for wildlife encounters.
Accommodation: Awash Falls Hotel
Day 6: Return to Addis Ababa – Ethiopia
Enjoy a final morning game drive in Awash before returning to Addis Ababa. Spend your last hours in Ethiopia shopping for souvenirs or relaxing. In the evening, join a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with local dishes and live folkloric dance performances—a fitting end to your unforgettable 4×4 Ethiopia Tour through the Danakil Depression and Awash National Park.
Accommodation: None (end of tour)
Child Policy
This Ethiopia tour is not suitable for children.
Experience the untamed beauty of the Danakil Depression and the wildlife of Awash National Park on this extraordinary 4×4 Ethiopia Tour—a raw and immersive journey through one of Africa’s most unique landscapes.