National parks of Ethiopia and Sanctuary

Awash national park
Year of Establishment: 1966 G.C
Area: 756 sq.km
Found: in Afar and Oromia regions 215 km away from Addis Ababa (the capital city).

Key species: 46 species, including Beisa Oryx, Greater & lesser Kudu, Soemmering’s Gazelle, Swayne’s hartebeest, lion, Hamadryas and Anubis baboon and their hybrids, Defassa waterbuck, Salt’s dik-dik. There are 5 endemic birds 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 of kingfishers and rollers, ostrich and lammergeyer.

Unique physical feature: dramatic Water fall, hot springs, Fentale crater, Doumplam forest.

General description: Awash national park is the oldest and most developed wildlife reserve in Ethiopia. Featuring the 1,800-metre Fantalle Volcano, extensive mineral hot-springs and extraordinary volcanic formations, this natural treasure is bordered to the south by the Awash River. The wildlife consists mainly of East African plains animals. Oryx, bat-eared fox, caracal, aardvark, Columbus and green monkeys, Anubis and Hamadryas baboons, klipspringer, leopard, bushbuck, hippopotamus, Soemmering's gazelle, cheetah, lion, kudu and 450 species of bird all live within the parks.
Visitor facilities: Standard lodges on the edge of Awash gorge, camp site beside river, and there is also a museum. (Tour itinerary)

Bale Mountain national park
Year of Establishment: 1970 G.C
Area: 2200 sq.km
Found: in Oromia region 400km away from Addis Ababa.

Key species: the park was originally established to protect Mountain Nyala, and Ethiopian Wolf. There are 64 species of mammal in the park, 11 of them endemic, including Menelik’s Bushbuck, bohor, reed buck, grey dulker, worthhog, serval cat, colbus monkey, giant molerat, African wild dog, bushpig, giant foreshog, lion, and Anubis baboon. There are 220 bird species of Birds in Bale of which 16 endemic species, many of which are easily seen. These include Wattled Ibis, Black-winged love bird, blue-winged goose, Rouget’s rail, and thick billed raven.
Unique physical feature: Mount Batu, Harena forest and Sanate Plateau (the largest Afro-alphine habitat in Africa)

General description: The Bale Mountains, with their vast moorlands and virgin woodlands, pristine mountain streams and alpine climate remain an untouched and beautiful world. Rising to a height of more than 4,000 meters, the range borders Ethiopia's southern highlands, whose highest peak, Mount Tullu Deemtu, stands at 4,377 meters.

Bale mountain national park was crucial to the survival of the mountain Nyala, Menelik's bushbuck and the Simien red fox. The fox is one of the most colorful members of the dog family and more abundant here than anywhere else in Ethiopia. All three endemic animals thrive in this environment, the Nyala in particular often being seen in large numbers.

Visitor facilities: Self-catering lodge and campsite at park headquarters, camping allowed in park while trekking. Hotels in nearby Goba & Robe, and there is also a Museum. (Tour itinerary)

Gambella national park
Year of Establishment: 1974 G.C
Area: 5061 sq.km
Found: in Gambella region 777 km away from Addis Ababa

Key species: the park contains 41 species many representative of neighbouring Sudan and not found else where in Ethiopia, Such as Nile lechwe and the white-eared kob, the latter migrating in large numbers. Roan Antelope, Topi, Elpephant, Buffalo, Lelwel hartebeest, Lion and Giraffe are also present. There are also 154 bird species. Such as the Whale-headed stork, an unusual large billed, tall bird has seen standing in the swamps.
Unique feature: largest wet land in the country including 4 big rivers.

General Description: The Baro River area, accessible by land or air through the western Ethiopian town of Gambela, remains a place of adventure and challenge. Traveling across the endless undulating plains of high Sudanese grass, visitors can enjoy a sense of achievement in just finding their way. This is Ethiopia’s true tropical zone and here is found all the elements of the African safari, enhanced by a distinctly Ethiopian flavor.
Visitor facilities: No development yet. (Tour itinerary)

Omo National Park
Year of Establishment: 1967 G.C
Area: 3566 sq.km
Found: in Southern Nation Nationality and people region 867 km away from Addis Ababa.

Key species: Common Eland Buffalo, Elephant, Cheetah, Lion, Giraffe, Topi, Brazza’s Monkey.and 306 species of Birds, one of which, the black-winged love bird is endemic to Ethiopia
Unique physical feature: Belts of forest along the Omo and Mui rivers, hotsprings, extensive wilderness. The grass plains are relieved by bands of hills to the north and south of the centrally located park headquarters.

General Description: It is a vast expanse of true wilderness, adjacent to the Omo River, which flows southwards into Lake Turkana and is one of the richest and least-visited wildlife sanctuaries in eastern Africa. Eland, oryx, Burchell's zebra, Lelwel hartebeest, buffalo, giraffe, elephant, waterbuck, kudu, lion, leopard and cheetah roam within the park's boundaries. The Omo Valley is virtually free of human habitation but is rich in palaeo-anthropological remains. According to scientific research done in 1982 by the University of California at Berkeley, hominid remains from the Omo Valley probably date back more than four million years.
Visitor facilities: Campsite on Mui River, and also Museum. (Tour itinerary)

Simien Mountains National Parks
Year of Establishment: 1966 G.C
Area: 412sq.km
Found: in Amhara region 800 km away from Addis Ababa.

Key species: Walia Ibex, Ethiopian Wolf, & Gelada Baboon, Grey duilker, and klipspringer are among the 21species of mammals.
Unique physical feature: Spectacular scenery, gorges and escarpments, just outside the park is Mount Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak, 4543 meters above sea level.

General Description: The Simien Mountain massif is a broad plateau, cut off to the north and west by an enormous single crag over 60 kilometers long. To the south, the tableland slopes gently down to 2,200 meters, divided by gorges 1,000 meters deep which can take more than two days to cross. Insufficient geological time has elapsed to smooth the contours of the crags and buttresses of hardened basalt.
Within this spectacular splendor live the Walia (Abyssinian) ibex, Simien red fox and Gelada baboon - all endemic to Ethiopia - as well as the Hamadryas baboon, klipspringer and bushbuck. Birds such as the lammergeyer, augur buzzard, Verreaux's eagle, kestrel and falcon also soar above this mountain retreat.

Visitor facilities: 5 stars Hotel just near to the park gate is available and camping is allowed in the main part of the park.

Abijatta-Shalla National Park
Year of Establishment: 1970 G.C
Area: 887sq.km, including the Rift Valley lakes of Abijatta and Shalla
Found: in Oromiya region 220 km away from Addis Ababa to the east of the Ziway- Shashamene highway

Key species: white Pelican, Greater and lesser Flamingoes, African fish eagle
Unique physical feature: Abijita, Shala (the deepest lake in Africa) and Chitu lakes, hot springs bubbling around lake Shala.

General description: The two lakes are separated by three kilometers of hilly land. Although its intent was to protect wildlife, few wild animals can be viewed there. There were, nevertheless, quite a few bird species in evidence. Park personnel said the national government was working on a plan to resettle the nomads somewhere outside the park, but this plan seemed rather indefinite.
Besides the two lakes, the primary attraction of this national park are a number of hot springs on the northeast corner of Lake Abijatta, and large numbers of flamingoes on the lake.
Visitor facilities: Hotels (Government and private) and camping on nearby lake Langano, self catering rest house at Gike. (Tour itinerary)

Mago National Park
Year of Establishment: 1974 G.C
Area: 1942 sq.km
Found: in the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region about 800 km south west of Addis Ababa touching the East bank of Mago River via Arba Minch, konso and Jinka.

Key species: Buffalo, Girafffe,Elephant, Topi and Lelwel Hartebeest, lion Chieetah, leopard, Burchel Zebra, Gerenuk, Oryx, and Greater & lesser Kudu. There are also 153 species of birds recorded four of them endemic; the white winged cliff chat, the black-headed forest oriole, the thick billed raven, and the Wattled Ibis.
Unique physical feature: the highest point is mount Mago (2528m) situated in the north of the park

General Description: The Park is 115 kilometers north of Murele and 40 kilometers southwest of Jinka.
The Mago National Park was established in 1979, making it the newest of Ethiopia's several National Parks. Its territory embraces savanna, acacia forest, and the Neri Swamp. Its highest point is Mount Mago. The park's perhaps best known attraction are the Mursi people, who inhabit villages along the Omo, known for piercing their lips and inserting disks made of clay.
Visitor Facilities: Campsite by Neri River near the headquarters of the Park. (Tour itinerary)

Nechisar National Park
Year of Establishment: 1974 G.C
Area: 514 sq.km
Found: in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region immediately to the east of Arba Minch, its 502 km away from Addis Ababa, the territory include the "Bridge of God" (an isthmus between Lakes Abaya and Chamo), the Nechisar plains to the east of the lakes.

Key species: Swayne’s Hartebeest, Burchell’s Zebra, Grant's Gazelle, Greater & lesser Kudu, Grant’s Gazelle, Colbus monkey, vervet monkey Nile Crocodile and hippopotamus. There are also 188 bird species, including 2 endemic birds of Red-billed and grey hornbills are common here.

Unique physical feature: Lake Abaya and Chamo, Nechisar plain, rift valley escarpment, a stretch of the northwest shore of Lake Chamo is known as Crocodile Market, where hundreds of Crocodiles gather to sun themselves.
Visitor facilities: campsite in forest near Kilfo River and Hotels nearby town of Arbaminch. (Tour itinerary)

Yangudi Rassa National Park
Year of Establishment: 1977 G.C but the steps needed to officially establish this park have not been completed as of 2002.
Area: 4731 sq.km of territory includes Mount Yangudi and the surrounding Rassa Plains.
Found: Yangudi Rassa National Park is Located in the Afar Region 430 km away from Addis Ababa

Key species: 36 species of mammals, including Wild ass, Greby zebra, gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, Hamadryas Baboon, Soemmering’s gatelle, Dorcas Gazelles, and alt’s dik-dik. This park also has 136 species of birds including 2 endemics.
Unique physical feature: Awash River, Mount Yangudi.
Visitor facilities: not yet developed/Billen lodge can be served hotel in Gawane. (Tour itinerary)

Alatish National Park
Year of Establishment: 2005 G.C
Area: 2666 sq.km
Found: in north western Ethiopia to the Sudan Border in Metema District; Amhara region 1025km away from Addis Ababa

Key species: Elephant, Greater Kudu, Lesser Kudu, red headed Agama
Unique feature: Dinder/Hayma and Gelgelu rivers, Sudan-Guinea Savana Biome. (Tour itinerary)

Kafta Sheraro National Park
Year of Establishment: 2007 G.C
Area: 5000 sq.km
Found: in Tigray region 1015 km away from Addis Ababa.

Key species: Greater Kudu, and also contains 42 mammals, 163birds, 9 reptiles and it also holds large number of elephants.
Unique physical feature: Arid lowland. (Tour itinerary)

Geraille park
Year of Establishment: 2006 G.C
Area: 3858 sq.km
Found: in Somali region 890 km away from Addis Ababa.
Key species: Elephant, Greater Kudu, lesser Kudu
Unique physical features: is known for its semi-arid vegetation and different small creature like scorpion. (Tour itinerary)

Babile Elephant Sanctuary
Year of Establishment: 1970 G.C
Area: 6982 sq.km
Found: in Somali and Oromia regions 557km away from Addis Ababa.

Key species: Elephant (Loxodonta Africana).
Unique physical feature: Gobele and Erer valleys, Jurassic Limestone rocky appearances.

Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary
Year of Establishment: 1972 G.C
Area: 54 sq.km
Found: in Oromia and Southern NNP regions 300 km away from Addis Ababa.

Key species: Swayne’s Hartebeest, Bohor reedbuck, Oribi, Greater Kudu.
Unique physical feature: Spectacular view on the Lalima/Borena hills.

Mazie National Park
The park was established in 2005.it is 210 square kilometer wide and 490 km away from Addis Ababa. it is known for holding the endemic mammal, Swaynes hartebeest. (Tour itinerary)

Chebera-Churchura national Park
It is 1215sqkm wide and is 460 km away from Addis Ababa. It was established in 2005.key species include buffalo and elephant.

Bahir Dar Blue Nile River Millennium Park
Established in 2008 known for its beautiful scenery and landscape, the park is about 4729sqkm wide and 32 km south east of Bahir Dar.

Dati Wolel National Park
It is about 431sqkm wide and located in Oromia regional state. It is known by its thick dense forest and different variety of bird species. It was established in 1998. (Tour itinerary)

Gibe sheleko National Park
Established in 2001 with an area of 248sqkm wide is a place for its magnificent gorges and rivers. It is found in southern nation nationalities and people’s regional state.

Loka Abay National Park
Found in southern nation nationalities and peoples regional state with an area of 500sqkm wide was established in the year 2001.

Yabello National Park
Located in Oromia regional state with long stretched grass land holds an ample number of Swaynes heartbeats endemic to Ethiopia. It was registered in 1978 with an area of 2500sqkm wide.

Borena saynt National Park
Established in 2001 with an area of 4325sqkm wide occupies varieties of fauna and flora life. It is found in Amhara regional state.

Control Hunting Areas
Billen Hartele
Located in Afar regional state with an area of 1090 sq.km.

Chifra Hunting Area
Located in Afar regional state with an area of 510 sq.km.

Telalak Dewe Hunting Area
Located in Afar regional state, with an area of 457sq.km.

Arbagugu Hunting Area
Established in 1995 with an area of 341 sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Dindin Hunting Area
Located in Oromia regional state with an area of 280 sq.km.

Munessa-Kuke hunting Area
Established in 1993 with an area of 111 sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Hanto Hunting Area
Established in 1991 with an area of 190 sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Besmena-Oddubilu Hunting Area
Established in 1993 with an area of 350 sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Abbasheba-Demero Hunting Area
Established in 1994 with an area of 210 sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Sororo-Torgam Hunting Area
Established in 2000 with an area of 78 sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Haro Abadiko Hunting Area
Established in 2000 with an area of 200 sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Urgan Bula
Established in 2000 with an area of 78sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Hurfa Soma Hunting Area
Established in 2000 with an area of 215 sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Adaba-Dodola Hunting Area
Established in 2000 with an area of 736 sq.km. It is found in Oromoia regional state.

Shedem Berbere Hunting Area
Located in Oromia regional state, with an area of 170 sq.km.

Murulle Hunting Area
Located in Southern Nation regional state, with an area of 690 sq.km.

Welshet-Sala Hunting Area
Located in Southern Nation regional state, with an area of 350 sq.km.

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