The two lakes
Inside the caldera.
J Williams (= Hammy07 at en.wikipedia) — CC BY 2.5 · Mohamed Siddig Abdelaziz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wlyeldeen Abkar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wlyeldeen Abkar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Planet Labs, Inc. — CC BY-SA 4.0
Jebel Marra is a range of volcanic peaks in the centre of the Darfur region in western Sudan, rising to 3,042 metres, the highest mountains in the country. It runs along the border of South Darfur and Central Darfur states, with a small part in North Darfur. Its highest point is the Deriba caldera. Its last eruption was around 1500 BC, when the crater collapsed and volcanic flows ran more than 30 km. Its upper slopes have a mild climate, heavy rain and permanent springs amid the dry Sahel savanna around them. It is one of the few large mountain ranges in the Sahel and was once a refuge for sultans. In the Deriba caldera you see two lakes inside a wide volcanic pit ringed by steep dark walls. White waterfalls drop down the slopes into green pools between rocks, clear streams run between the trees, and farming terraces cover the hills. It is about 86 km from the town of Zalingei in a straight line, and the roads are rough. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Sudan, and access may not be possible, so check official guidance before making any plans.
Inside the caldera.
Among the rocks.
On the hills.
Central Darfur, Sudan
Around 1500 BC.
Yes, the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Sudan.