Erta Ale
A shield volcano with one of the world's few persistent lava lakes. The final approach is on foot at night to avoid the heat, with camp on the rim. Activity varies and cannot be guaranteed, so build the sequence to work either way.
Filming location · Afar
Filming in The Danakil Depression
The Danakil is the most visually extreme place in Ethiopia and the least forgiving. Ground temperatures regularly exceed anything your gear was designed for, the sulphur eats metal and lens coatings, there is no infrastructure, and the security and access position is managed locally. It is entirely filmable — we have run units here — but it is planned as an expedition, not as a location day.
Short answer
The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia's Afar region is one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth, dropping to roughly 125 metres below sea level, with the Erta Ale volcano and its active lava lake, the psychedelic sulphur and potash terraces of Dallol, and salt caravans of camels still working the flats. Filming here requires regional permits, a mandatory local escort arrangement, an experienced convoy operator and a serious heat plan. Only shoot between November and February. Camera equipment fails in the heat and the sulphur, and a medic and evacuation plan are not optional extras.
- Region
- Afar
- Altitude
- down to approx. 125 m below sea level
- Nearest airport
- Semera Airport, or overland from Mekelle
- Best time
- November to February only; avoid April to September
- From Addis Ababa
- Fly to Semera or Mekelle, then a full day overland by convoy
What to film here
Dallol
Hydrothermal terraces in acid yellow, orange and green over white salt. Extraordinary in aerial and macro alike. Highly corrosive; protect cameras, keep lens changes to a minimum and expect to clean everything afterwards.
Lake Asale and the salt flats
Afar salt cutters working slabs by hand and loading camel caravans that still walk the salt to the highlands. The strongest human story in the region and the one that needs the most respectful negotiation.
Lake Afrera and the hot springs
Salt lake with buoyant water and thermal springs, useful for scale, reflection and a rest point in the schedule.
From our shoots
Nearby and related
Other Ethiopian locations
Start a production
Filming in The Danakil Depression?
Send your dates and shot list. We will come back with the permit route, the access position, realistic travel times and an itemised cost — usually within a working day.