Portrait of a young Afar man in Hamed Ela, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
In Hamed Ela, the last village before the extraordinary landscapes of the Danakil Depression, the gaze of this young Afar man meets that of the photographer. A simple portrait born from a brief encounter, where a subtle smile is enough to create a genuine connection.
Before setting off to explore the spectacular landscapes of Dallol, Erta Ale or Lake Karum, most travellers spend some time in Hamed Ela, a small and isolated settlement in the heart of the Danakil Depression. It was during one of these chance encounters that I met this young Afar man, whose calm expression and gentle smile immediately caught my attention.
Located in the heart of the Danakil Depression, Hamed Ela serves as the main gateway to several of the region’s most remarkable natural sites. It is from this village that the track leading to Lake Karum begins, where vast salt flats have been worked for centuries by Afar salt caravans. I have dedicated a full article to this extraordinary place, which you can read here: Lake Karum and Ethiopia’s Salt Caravans.
Hamed Ela is also the starting point for expeditions to Erta Ale, one of the few volcanoes in the world with a permanent lava lake. After several hours of driving across the desert, the ascent begins in the late afternoon, allowing visitors to reach the crater after nightfall. If you would like to discover this unique adventure, I invite you to read my article about Erta Ale and its remarkable lava lake: Erta Ale Volcano and its Lava Lake.