Comments on: Things to do in the Simien Mountains

By: Ross Travellingforfun

Ross Travellingforfun — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 12:20:03 +0000

Rebecca,
To drive from Mekele to Hamed Ela takes about 6 hours. I am fairly sure you wouldn’t be able to hire your own jeep but you could hire a guide that will take you to Hamed Ela. I am unfamiliar with the type of ground that you would require to land an aircraft. Is sand with some stones okay? How hard does the sand need to be. Around Erta Ale there are a lot of very spikey rocks from the volcano so landing a plane is not advisable.
A word of caution on flying into the Danakil Depression. This location is officially the hottest place in the world (on average). Even at night is around 35deg. The roads are dirt tracks and from Hamed Ela onwards there are no roads. Guides must bring two jeeps at all times in case one breaks down. If your plane gets stuck in the sand (it is a desert) or something breaks then you really could be up sh!t creek. Just make sure that you take this into consideration before heading out there on your own.

Best of luck,
Ross

By: rebecca

rebecca — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 00:33:44 +0000

Hi there! I am actually planning a flight route across Africa. I want the route to stop via Danikal Depression and Erta Ale.

Could you possible tell me how long it too to drive from Berhale to Hamedela?? would there be a place to hire vehicles from Mekeke?

Would there be any where to land small aircraft at either Behrale or Hamedela? Or will we need to land and begin at Mekeke do you think?

By: Jonny Blair

Jonny Blair — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 07:53:48 +0000

Nice post and I enjoyed Ethiopia too! The hyena feeding at Harar was awesome. Safe travels, Jonny