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Awash National Park

Size:- 756 square kilometer
Region:- Arsi
 

Geographical location:- Bordering the Awash River in the upper Rift Valley, 225 kilometer west of Addis Abaab
Altitude:- 750-2,007 meter
 

Physical feature:- Situated in the lowlands to the east of Addis Ababa, on the main Addis- Diredawa highway, which bisects the park. Its southern boundary is in part the Awash river, one of the major rivers of Ethiopia, which swings north soon after leaving the park and eventually disappears into the wastes of the Afar (Danakil) region. The park covers an area of 827 sq km (319 sq miles), most of which lies at an altitude of around 900 meters (2950 feet). In the middle of the park is the dormant volcano of Fantale, reaching a height of 2007 meters (6583 feet) on its rim. Temperatures in the park are hot and can reach as high as 42⁰C (107⁰F). Nights are cooler, with temperatures between 10 and 22⁰C (50 and 72⁰F). Rain mainly falls between February and April and June to august and averages 619 mm (24inches).
 

Vegetation:- Arid and semi-arid woodland savannah, but also riverine forest. The plains are covered by grass species, with scattered small tree species. Areas of shallow soil over rock are covered in dense thickets of acacia species. The rocky valleys to the north of the park are heavely bushed. Along the river is a thin belt of dense riverine forest, including acacia, tamarind and fig species.

Animal life:- The Beisa oryx is seen on many of the more open areas and greater and lesser kudu in the bushed areas. Soemmering's gazelle have distinctive white rumps and are often seen with the oryx. A small population of the endemic subspecies Swayne's hartebeest was translocated here, but only a handful now remains. The tiny Salt's dik-dik appears frequently under the dry acacia bushes and Defassa waterbuck are seen in the bushed area by the river. There are two species of baboon here – the Anubis and the hamadryas. Though each species has very different social structures, they hybridize in the area near the river. Other monkeys seen are colobus in the riverine forest and grivet in drier areas. Fantale crater provides a different habitat, supporting mountain reedbuck and klipspringer. Crocodile and hippopotamus are seen both in the Awash River and in the cooler parts of the hot springs and rivers in the north. Lion, leopard, serval, caracal and wildcat are all seen infrequently.

Bird life:- There are five endemics among the 392 species to be found in the park. Resident species include green wood hoopoe, red-and-yellow barbet, emerald-spotted wood dove, carmine bee eater, several bustard species, fish eagle, tawny eagle, lanner and pygmy falcon, black-shouldered kite, dark chanting goshawk, several varieties sites of kingfishers and rollers, ostrich and lammergeyer.
 

Getting there:- It is 211 km (131 miles) east of Addis Ababa. It takes about a three-and-a-half hour's drive along the main Addis-Diredawa highway, a good tarmac road.
When to go:- All times of year are suitable for a visit, but the flush of green growth after the start of the rains (February and June) marks a particularly good time.
Where to stay:- In Awash National Park, a caravan lodge, called Kereyu Lodge, on the edge of the gorge, provides accommodation. The caravans are very basic no running water, just a bucket but there is a restaurant and the view is outstanding. Reservation for the lodge can be made in advance through tour agents in Addis Ababa. Better alternative is camping at sites situated on the edge of the river, above the falls. Large spreading trees provide ample shade and shelter a wonderful collection of birds. Drinking water will need to be brought into the park. Malaria can be a serious problem and visitors must take precautions. The nearest medical help is in Metahara. In Awash town the Buffet de la Gare (also known as the Buffet d'Aouache) provides accommodation and good food at reasonable rates.

Sightseeing:- Ninety one kilometers (56 miles) past the village of Wolencheti, the road crosses the railroad track and Lake Basaka is visible to the right. This lake is a bird sanctuary, which supports cormorants, herons and other water birds and is visited by pelicans and flamingos from other areas of Ethiopia. Just across the railroad track is a road to the left, which runs behind Fantale to the Aware Melke Plantation. It is possible to take this road and drive to the top of Fantale and then down and on to the main park entrance, but this should only be attempted with a guide and a 4WD vehicle.
It is probably wiser to pass through the town of Metahara, about ten kilometers (six miles) after which you will find the main entrance to the park on your right. This will allow you to travel comfortably down towards the Awash River, which constitutes the southern boundary of the park. The road leads to the park headquarters and the campsites, which are situated near the dramatic Awash falls where the river enters its gigantic gorge. A small museum is also located here, which houses various stuffed birds, mammals and reptiles, as well as some educational and interpretative materials on the area's flora, fauna, geology and peoples. From the campsites, you can take a short drive west, following the river or drive a few hundred meters to the Awash falls viewpoint, where concrete stairs lead to the river below the falls. For a small fee, it is possible and advisable to hire a park guide at the headquarters.

Hot springs:- Another feature of the park is the hot springs or Filwoha (meaning hot water), situated in the extreme north of the park. These can be reached by either one of two scenic tracks, which start opposite the main gate on the far side of the road and bear right, progressing either along the floor of the beautiful lower Kudu valley or along the top of the ridge. Ask at the get about road conditions and take a game scout with you to avoid any problems with the local people. The water of these springs and rivers is in the region of 36⁰C (97⁰F) and is used by the local people for watering stock. The unbelievably clear blue pools surrounded by doum palms invite the dusty traveler to wash off the dust of the day, but be warned the water is hot!.

Lake Abiyata/Shala National Park

Size:- 887 square kilometer
Region: Arsi
Geographical location:- Rift Valley, 200 kilometer south of Addis Ababa
Altitude:- 1,540-2,075 meter
Physical features:- 482 square kilometer of the park is water, comprising the fluctuating shallow pan of lake Abiyatta and the deep, steep-sided Lake Shalla, both of which are saline. Several hot springs bubble up by the shore and flow into Lake Shalla. Mount Fike, 2,075 metres high, is situated between the two lakes. Temperatures can be high, reaching 45⁰C at maximum and 5⁰C at minimum. Rain falls between March and April and June and September, averaging 500 millimeter
Vegetation:- Savannah and acacia woodland. People practicing charcoal production and livestock grazing; particularly near the roads adversely affect many areas.
Animal life:- Includes the great white pelican, lesser flamingo, white necked cormorant and grants gazelle. Thirty-one species of mammal, including greater kudu, Grant's gazelle, warthog, Anubis baboon, grivet and colobus monkeys, oribi, klipspringer, black-backed and common jackal.
Bird life:- Recorded 299 species, including six endemics. Park created for the water birds, especially great white pelican, greater and lesser flamingo, cormorants. Attractive scenery. Good accessibility by public transport.
Visitor facilities:- Hotel and camping on the lake as well as in nearby lake Langano and Arsi Negele.

Bale Mountain National Park

Size:- 2,470 square kilometer
Region:- Bale
Geographical location:- South-east Ethiopia, southern end of eastern edge of Rift Valley mountain chain, 400 kilometer from Addis Ababa
Altitude:- 1,500-4,377 meter
Physical features:- This extensive Afro-alpine area contains alpine lakes and the highest peak in southern Ethiopia, Tullu Dimtu. The area of the park is divided into two major parts by the Harenna Escarpment that runs from east to west. North of this escarpment is a high-altitude plateau area, which is dissected by many rivers and streams that have cut deep gorges into the edges over the centuries. In some places this has resulted in scenic waterfalls. The northern part of the park is riverine plains, bush land and woodland; the center is a high plateau of 4,000 meters, which is crossed by the highest all-weather road in Africa. The southern part of the park is forest. Temperatures range from –7⁰C to 26⁰C, depending on the season. Rainfall is high, averaging 1,150 millimeter and usually falls between March and October, but also in other months.
Vegetation:- In the north there are grass riverine plains bordered by bands of bushes, particularly St. John's wort. Wild flowers from carpets of color. Fringing the hills are stands of hagenia and juniper and above them are montane grasslands. Higher up the mountains heather appears. The high Sanetti Plateau is characterized by Afro-alpine plants, some coping with the extreme temperatures by becoming small and others by becoming large. The best example of the latter is the giant lobelia. The dominant wild flower in the park is the everlasting. The southern part of the park is heavily forested. The heather forest is particularly mature here, draped with many lichens
Animal life:- The park was originally established to protect two of Ethiopia's endemic species: the mountain nyala and the Semien fox (or jackel). There are sixty-four species of mammal in the park (eleven of them endemic), including Menelik's bushbuck. Bohor reedbuck, grey duiker, warthog, serval cat, colobus monkey, giant molerant, African wild dog, bushpig, giant forest hog, lion, and anubis baboon.

Bird life:- Beautiful scenery, great trekking most for birds many endemics easily seen. The 220 bird species of Bale include sixteen endemic species, many of which are easily seen. These include wattled ibis, black-winged lovebird, blue-winged goose, rouget's rail and thick-billed raven. Wattled cranes are often seen on the high plateau in the wet season, when they breed.
Visitor facilities:- Self-catering lodge and campsite at park headquarters, camping allowed in park while trekking. Hotels in nearby Goba and Robe.

Gambela National Park

Size:- 5,060 kilometer.
Region:- Illubabor
Geographical location:- West Ethiopia, 850 kilometer west of Addis Ababa
Altitude:- 400-768 meter
Physical features:- Extensive swamps and wetlands of the Akobo river system. Rainfall is 1,500 millimeter a year, falling between April and October. Temperatures are high.
Vegetation:- Semi-arid open woodland, savannah, swamp.
Animal life:- The park contains forty-one species, many representative of neighboring Sudan and not found elsewhere in Ethiopia, such as Nile lechwe and the white-eared kob, the latter migrating in large numbers. Roan antelope, topi, elephant, buffalo, lelwel hartebeest, lion and giraffe are also present.
Bird life:- The most important of the 154 bird species present here is the whale-headed stork, an unusual large-billed, tall bird seen standing in the swamps.
 

Mago National Park

Size:- 2,162 square kilometer
Region:- Gamo Gofa
Geographical location:- 770 kilometer south-west of Addis Ababa, touching east bank of Omo River. Established to protect large mammals of the plains (elephants, buffaloes, giraffes etc.)
Altitude:- 450-2,528 meter
Physical features:- The highest point is Mount Mago situated in the north of the park. Temperatures here swing between 14⁰C and 41⁰C and rainfall, which falls from March to May and October to December, is low, being 480 millimeter on average.
Vegetation:- Mainly grass savannah, with some forested areas around the rivers. Very dense bush makes for difficult game viewing.
Animal life:- The park was set up to conserve the large numbers of plains animals in the area, particularly buffalo, giraffe and elephant. Also among the fifty-six species of mammals seen here are topi and lelwel hartebeest, as well as lion, cheetah, leopard, burchell's zebra, gerenuk, oryx and greater and lesser kudu.
Bird life:- The birds are typical of the dry grassland habitat, featuring bustards, hornbills, weavers and starlings. Kingfishers and herons can be seen around the Nile River, which provides an alternative habitat. There are 153 species, three of them endemic.
 

Nechsar National Park

Size:- 514 square kilometer
Region:- Gamo Gofa
Geographical location:- 500 kilometer south-west of Addis Ababa, near Arba Minch
Altitude:- 1,108-1,650 meter
Physical features:- The park is an impressive swathe of white grass plains set against the backdrop of clearly defined, deeply cut hills and mountains. A seventy-eight kilometer of the park is water parts of the lakes Chamo and Abaya. There are hot springs at the far eastern sector of the park. Temperatures range between 11⁰C and 26⁰C. Rainfall averages 880 millimeter and mainly falls March to May and September to November.
Vegetation:- Savannah, dry bush, groundwater forest.
Animal life:- Thirty-seven species, including bushbuck, bushpig, anubis baboon, vervet monkey, colombus monkey, swayhe's hartebeest, burchell's zebra, African wild dog, greater kudu, genet cat, grant's gazelle, guenther's dik-dik, black-backed jackal, crocodile and hippopotamus.
Bird life:- The 188 bird species including endemics of the area are quite varied, reflecting the different habitats within the park. Both the red-billed and the grey hornbill are common here and the Abyssinian ground hornbill is also seen. Also common are fish eagle, kingfishers, and rollers. Various bustard species are found in the park, including the large and impressive kori.
Visitor facilities:- Campsite in forest near Kulfo River. Hotels in nearby town of Arba Minch.

Omo National Park

Size:- 4,068 square kilometer.
Region: - Kaffa
Geografical location:- 870 kilometer south-west of Addis Ababa, on west bank of Omo River.
Altitude:- 440-1,183 meter.
Physical features:- Belts of forest along the Omo and Mui rivers, hot springs, extensive wilderness. The grass plains are relived by hands of hills to the north and south of the centrally located park headquarters. Temperatures are high, ranging from 14⁰C to 41⁰C, and the rainfall averages 500 millimeter a year, falling between March and April, and September and October.
Vegetation:- Savannah, riverine forest, deciduous woodland, acacia bush.
Animal life:- The park's wildlife includes large herds of eland and buffalo, elephant, giraffe, cheetah, lion, leopard and Burchell's zebra. Lesser kudu, lelwel hartebeest, topi and oryx are all found here, in addition to deBrazza's and colobus monkeys and Anubis baboon. A total of fifty-seven species of mammal can be found in the park
Bird life:- Three hundred and six species, one endemic.
Visitor facilities:- Campsite on Mui River, museum.

Semien Mountains National Parks

Size:- 179 square kilometer
Region:- Gonder
Geographical location:- 760 kilometer north of Addis Ababa, via Bahir Dar, Gonder
Altitude:- 1,900-4,430 meter
Physical features:- Spectacular scenery, gorges and escarpments. The region includes many summits above 4,000 meters (13,000 feet), and culminates in the highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dashen, which at 4,543 meters (14,901 feet), is also the fourth highest mountain in Africa. The temperature regularly falls below freezing at night. Daytime temperature range from 11.5⁰C to 18⁰C (53 to 64⁰F). The rainfall averages 1,550 millimeter a year. Established for spectacular mountain scenery, best place for trekking.
Vegetation:- Afro-alpine, montane savannah, heather. Humans have altered much of the vegetation over the years and few trees will be seen in the area except the introduced eucalyptus. But in inaccessible areas, such as the escarpment, natural habitats are preserved and plants such as St. John's wort and heather may be seen as small trees or bushes, and many smaller herbs from carpets of color.
Animal life:- Walia ibex (common), semien fox, gelada baboon, grey duiker and klipspringer are among the twenty-one species (three endemics) to be found in the park.

Bird life:- Lammergeyers and choughs are present among the sixty-three species of birds here, which include seven endemics, thick-billed raven, black-headed siskin, white-collared pigeon, wattled ibis, white-billed starling, spot-breasted plover, and white-backed black tit.
Visitor facilities:- Camping at various sites
Getting there:- Debark, the base from which to explore Semien Mountains National Park, is 850 km. (527 mil.) from Addis Ababa, 101km. (63 mil.) from Gonder, and 256 km. (159 mil.) from Axum and can be reached by road through Bahir Dar and Gonder. Visitors can also fly to Gonder on one of Ethiopian Airlines daily flights and arrange transport from there to Debarik, either privately or by bus or taxi.
 

When to go:- The best time to visit is the dry season, from December to March. Travel is difficult during the long rainy season between June and September, when several rivers may be flooded and difficult to cross, trails are slippery, and fog frequently obscures the view throughout the day. October, November and December are the coldest months.
 

Where to stay:- The nearest hotel accommodation is in Gonder, as hotels in Debark are not geared to foreign tourists, with the possible exception of the Semien Hotel. A small local hotel, it has a very amiable and cooperative management, excellent food, delicious coffee, cold beers and is bug free. Within the park, facilities were limited in 1994 to camping and all equipment must be brought in. tourist rest houses, once available in the park, were unfortunately destroyed in the fighting that occurred in the early 90s, but it is hoped that in the near future these facilities will be restored.
 

Sightseeing:- Transport of the four-legged variety is by far the more reliable means of getting around for a more serious exploration of the park. If you have driven your own vehicle to Debark, leave it at the local police station (or at the Semien hotel) for safe keeping while you take your tour of Semien. Then set about the business of renting pack and riding animals and hiring guides for the six-hour trip into the park. Make sure to examine each animal carefully before selecting it and clarify the terms of your rental of animals and equipment before you depart.
Suitable clothing for extreme temperatures of hot and cold are needed, as the diurnal swing is considerable. Waterproof clothing is also needed, as are a hat and sunscreen lotion. The sun at these altitudes can burn fiercely. The nearest medical help is in Debark.
 

There are various campsites and tracks to follow and it is best to take the advice of the guides. The first stop is Sankaber camp a trek that leads mainly through cultivated areas to the 3230-meter (10600 foot) campsite. From this point you can walk to the edge of the abyss, where you get your first glimpse of the spectacular scenery. From Sankaber the track leads through meadows forests and some cultivated areas to Geech a trip of about three to three and-a-half hours by mule. Geech at 3660 meters (11800 feet) is worth a stay of at least two days. There are several good lookout spots where one may see walia, gelada and klipspringer and breathtaking views from nearby Gidgergot, K'adadit, Saha and Emietgogo. From Geech to the next stopping-off point, Ch'enek, the trek takes two-and-a-half to four hours and you may have to dismount and walk part of the way where the climb is steep. The Ch'enek campsite offers superb is views and there are many places for seeing walia ibex. There are also caves to be explored and this is the only place in the park where if you are extremely lucky you can see rock hyrax, the small mammal that looks like an overgrown guinea pig but is distantly related to the elephant.
After a stop at Ch'enek the traveler usually returns to Sankaber (three to four hours) and from there to Debark (five to six hours). But if arranged in advance, more extensive trips can be made to Buahit, at 4437 meters (14550 feet), which is outside the national park, Ras Dashen, Ethiopia's highest peak and the lowlands. Three game scout camps exist in the lowlands at Dirini, Muchila and Adermas, but a trip here is a real expedition and recommended only for more hardly travelers able to walk under tough conditions and cope with rock climbing. A trip from Ch'enek along the foot of the escarpment to the Wolkafit pass and Debark lasts about five to seven days.

Yangudi-Rassa National Park

Size:- 4,730 square kilometer
Region:- Harerge
Geographical location:- 500 kilometer north-east of Addis Ababa, on Awash-Asseb road.
Altitude:- 400-1,459 meter
Physical features:- Temperatures are high, as in Awash National Park. Very little rain falls, as the area is semi-desert.
Vegetation:- Semi-desert trees and scrub, savannah, open woodland.
Animal life:- Thirty-six species of mammal, including wild ass Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, hamadryas baboon, Soemmering's gazelle and Salt's dik-dik.
Bird fife:- The 136 species of birds include two endemics.
Visitor facilities:- Not yet developed. Hotel in Gewane.

Afar man around Hot Springs

Ostrich farm in Lake Shala/Abiyata

Gelada baboon

Walia Ibex