LES ALLOLS

Forty thousand years ago, Assal, Gaggade and the Allols formed a single lake of 1,100 km2, with a shoreline at an altitude of 160 m. Today, Assal is separated from the grabens of Sakalol (whose name in Afar means "rising sun") and Harralol ("setting sun") in particular. Today, Assal is separated from the grabens of Sakalol (whose name in Afar means "rising sun") and Harralol ("setting sun") in particular. These parallel salt depressions (northwest/southeast direction) are located at an average altitude of 5 m above sea level. They are supplied with seawater through underground fractures. The water evaporates, the salt remains.

The Allols are well highlighted by the basaltic cliffs that delimit them. Consisting of vast expanses of salt, they offer a very different landscape from that of Lake Assal. Sometimes the area is flooded, but this phenomenon is quite rare. In addition to the clear and salty expanses, there are numerous hot springs, small swamps (appreciated by the herds), and small areas of surprising greenery where the tree from which palm wine is made grows. Among the animals that inhabit these depressions, we will mention warthogs (but they would be rare), mongooses, hyenas ..

The tracks (4x4 only) that lead there start from Lake Assal and Gaggade in the south, and from Dorra in the north. The one that passes through Randa and Dorra is longer, but safer. Because the one that crosses the Assal lake implies to drive on the ice pack, which is not possible all year round. Just north of Sakalol, one can reach the wadi Balho and its beautiful rock paintings.