Lake Abbe (Lac Abbé)
Witness the surreal steaming limestone chimneys and geothermal springs of Lake Abbe on the Djibouti-Ethiopia border. Famous as a filming location for Planet of the Apes, Abbe features vast flamingo colonies.
About Lake Abbe (Lac Abbé)
A Lunar Rift Valley Landscape
Straddling the remote southwestern border between Djibouti and Ethiopia, Lake Abbe (Lac Abbé) is an endorheic lake surrounded by hundreds of towering limestone chimneys (travertine pinnacles) rising up to 50 metres above the lake basin. Formed by subterranean geothermal springs depositing calcium carbonate underwater over millennia, these chimneys vent steam into desert air.
Flocks of Flamingos and Afar Nomads
The alkaline lake attracts large seasonal flocks of greater and lesser flamingos that feed in warm mineral shallows. Indigenous Afar nomadic pastoralists graze camel and goat herds across green geothermal spring pastures at dawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Lake Abbe resemble an otherworldly landscape?
The field of limestone chimneys venting steam inspired filmmakers to shoot scenes for the classic 1968 film Planet of the Apes here.
How is Lake Abbe reached from Djibouti City?
Access requires a 5 to 6-hour 4x4 expedition crossing desert plains via Dikhil, with travelers staying in traditional Afar dome huts.
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