what to visit in afar?
Danakil Depression, Ert Ale , Yangudi rassa National Park ,……..
Afar, Ethiopia, refers to the Afar Region, which is located in the northeastern part of the country. The Afar Region is known for its unique landscapes, including the Danakil Depression, a hot and inhospitable desert area that contains active volcanoes, salt flats, and colorful sulfur springs. The region is also significant in terms of paleontological findings, with several important fossil discoveries dating back millions of years. Traveling to the Afar Region requires careful planning due to its remote location and challenging conditions. It is advisable to be accompanied by experienced guides or travel with organized tours that can ensure safety and provide insights into the area’s geological and cultural significance.
The Danakil Depression is the northern part of the Afar Triangle or Afar Depression in Ethiopia, a geological depression that has resulted from the divergence of three tectonic plates in the Horn of Africa.
The Danakil Depression is the hottest place on Earth in terms of year-round average temperatures. It is also one of the lowest places on the planet at 100 metres (330 ft) below sea level,and without rain for most of the year. Here, the Awash River dries up in a chain of salt lakes such as Lake Afrera, never reaching the Indian Ocean.
Erta Ale is located in the Danakil Depression, an area below sea level between the last two countries, and is the most active volcano in Ethiopia. Erta Ale is 613 metres (2,011 ft) high, with one or sometimes two active lava lakes at the summit which occasionally overflow on the south side of the volcano. It is notable for holding the longest-existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century (1906). Volcanoes with lava lakes are very rare: there are only eight in the world
Yangudi Rassa National Park is home to 36 species of mammals and 200 species of birds recorded within the park’s biome. It was proposed to protect the Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis), a subspecies of African wild ass. The wild asses graze on grasses and live in small groups. Recently, the wild ass became extinct in Yagundi Rassa.
Large animals native to the park include gerenuk, Soemmerring’s gazelle, Beisa oryx, lion, Grevy’s zebra, cheetah, and leopard.Other animals that live within the protected areas includes Dorcas Gazelle, Hamadryas Baboon, Bat-eared Fox, Black-backed Jackal, Striped Hyena, and Aardwolf.
Bird species of interest include lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), pale rockfinch (Carpospiza brachydactyla) and Arabian bustard (Ardeotis arabs). Lesser Kestrel and Pallid Harrier are only known Somali-Masai Biome species in the park that considered globally threatened. Other bird species that roam consist of the Terek Sandpiper, Somali ostrich, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Woodchat Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Eurasian blackcap, and Ortolan Bunting.