Lake Abbe, Salt lake in the Afar Region, Ethiopia and Djibouti

Lake Abbe, also called Lake Abhe Bad, is a salt lake on the border between Ethiopia and Djibouti. It sits in the Afar Depression, where the Awash River ends, and is surrounded by salt plains and a dormant volcano, Mount Dama Ali.

The lake formed over thousands of years as the Awash River deposited sediment and water collected in the depression. In recent decades, droughts and irrigation upstream have reduced its size, changing the landscape.

The lake holds meaning for the Afar people, who have long lived in this harsh land and know its rhythms. Visitors may see their camps and herds, a sign of how life goes on in such a remote place.

The area is remote and hot, so bring plenty of water, sun protection, and a hat. A local guide is essential for navigation and safety, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is needed for the rough tracks.

The lake sits at a triple junction where three tectonic plates meet, a rare geological point on Earth. The plates move apart at different speeds, shaping the land in ways you can see in the cracks and faults around the lake.