There are places in the world where time slows down, where the land speaks with fire, and where nature writes its own wild story. Afar is one of those rare places. Found in northeastern Ethiopia, this region is home to the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest, driest, and most geologically active places on the planet.
As we stepped into the depression, the landscape instantly felt unreal. Salt flats stretched as far as the eye could see, cracked and glowing under the intense sun. In the distance, graceful camel caravans moved in perfect rhythm. Each camel carried neatly cut salt blocks, mined by hand and destined for distant markets. Watching them glide across the endless white ground was like witnessing a living tradition, ancient and undisturbed.
Then came the colors. The sulfur fields of Dallol are not just yellow or green—they are electric. The surface bubbles, smokes, and steams. Strange formations rise from the ground, painted by minerals and shaped by heat. The air smells sharp, and the ground feels like it is breathing beneath your feet. It was both beautiful and alien.
Our journey continued toward Erta Ale, the active volcano known for its glowing lava lake. The trek was demanding, through pitch-black lava fields and across dry, cracked earth. But the reward was unforgettable. Standing at the edge of the crater at night, the sky above full of stars, we watched the red-hot lava dance and hiss below. It felt like standing on the edge of Earth itself, with the planet’s heart glowing just beneath us.
In this fierce land live the Afar people, strong and resourceful. Their lives are shaped by fire and salt, yet they welcome visitors with warmth and quiet pride. Their deep knowledge of the desert, their connection with their camels, and their skill in navigating such harsh terrain left us in admiration.
Afar is not an easy place. It tests your comfort and stretches your imagination. But it gives you something that few places can—a true sense of awe. For us, this Twsta will never fade. It was a journey into another world, and yet it was fully, powerfully real.