Journey to the surreal chimneys of Lac Abbé — limestone fumaroles rising from a soda lake on the Ethiopia border — and meet semi-nomadic Afar herders in their traditional encampments. A landscape that starred in Planet of the Apes, alive with flamingos and lived-in history.
What to expect
Your private 4WD heads southwest through the Grand Bara desert plateau, passing flocks of ostrich and gazelle en route to the Ethiopian border zone. The alien limestone chimneys of Lac Abbé rise dramatically from the soda flats, many still venting steam. Your Afar-speaking guide arranges a brief, respectful visit to a nomadic encampment, where you learn about camel herding and the Afar pastoral calendar. Packed gourmet picnic lunch included.
Good to know
Full-day: 8–10 hrs. Confirm precise all-aboard time before booking and communicate to your operator to build in a 2-hr buffer. Roads are unpaved after the tarmac ends; a quality 4WD is non-negotiable. Bring a sun hat, layers for the wind, and a telephoto lens for flamingos. Early starts (0600 departure) maximise photography light.