With a landscape that ranges from rainforests to grassy savannas, mountains, and deserts, Ethiopia boasts scenery that is as diverse and fascinating as its people. Splitting the country in two, the Great Rift Valley provides breath-taking views that rival those of the Grand Canyon. At 4,620 meters, Ras Dashen is the fourth highest peak in Africa while the Danakil Depression is the lowest point on the continent. Near Lake Tana, the Blue Nile begins its voyage to Egypt and a string of Rift Valley lakes and rivers belie Ethiopia's image as dry and parched land. Deserts are an important part of Ethiopia's ecosystem, but so are the indigenous forests which are the most extensive in all of east Africa.
Ethiopia is home to a remarkable collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that span the breadth of human history and natural beauty. Ethiopia's South Omo Valley is a unique and captivating region, home to an incredible diversity of ethnic groups who have preserved their ancient traditions. Visiting Ethiopia’s Omo Valley is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences a traveler can have. The Danakil Depression is a remote and otherworldly region, home to some of the most surreal landscapes on the planet. Located in the Danakil Depression, the Erta Ale Volcano, translated as “The Smoking Mountain”, is one of the most unique destinations in Ethiopia.
There are nine National Parks in Ethiopia, each with unique offerings for the visitor. Ethiopia has some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. From UNESCO world heritage sites like the obelisks of Aksum and the rock churches in Lalibela to the surreal, otherworldly beauty of the Danakil Depression, our country has it all.
Our experiences have been designed to help you see as much of Ethiopia as possible on your trip. We provide good deals when you contact us to prepare a trip for you to Ethiopia and we provide a tour guide since you cannot go to any park without one and he will help you to get around Ethiopia and the different parks easily. Coupled with the semi desert climate that is experienced in the Northern Part of Africa adds to the uniqueness that you do not want to miss.
Ethiopia is characterized of fascinating cities, landmarks, stunning display of fauna and flora and lush valleys that make the country the best spot to visit. Majority of tourists that visit Ethiopia come to see the mountains and it’s the main attraction of the country. Whichever you decide to visit, you will get a memorable experience of true nature.
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Ethiopian has some of the man-made attractions that are inspiring and well worth visiting. Gonder is a bus stop where funs of Ethiopia trekking proceed to the Simien Mountains. It’s acknowledged as 17th century castles that are often visited. Lalibela is a city in Ethiopia that is most treasured, it has beautiful attractions that include churches that were engraved straight into the rock-face. After a hectic day of trekking, you may decide to take a walk around the city and delight in its unique features.
Simien Mountains National Park
The Simien Mountains National Park is located in northern Ethiopia and includes the fourth highest peak in Africa - Ras Dashen - at 4,550 meters (14,928 feet.) The park is home to several animals found only in Ethiopia including the Walia Ibex, the Ethiopian Wolf, and the Gelada (a species of monkey.) The park offers spectacular trekking opportunites inclusing ascents of Ras Dashen. Africa's highest lodge is located inside the park and a new lodge has recently opened nearby. The unique beauty and dramatic landscapes in the Park have earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Distinguished by a bright red patch of skin on its chest, Geladas are commonly referred to as baboons, but are actually there own genus.
Simien National Park, in northern Ethiopia is a spectacular landscape, where massive erosion over millions of years has created jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m. The undulating plateau of the Simien mountains has over millions of years been eroded to form precipitous cliffs and deep gorges of exceptional natural beauty. Some cliffs reach 1,500 m in height and the northern cliff wall extends for some 35 km. The mountains are bounded by deep valleys to the north, east and south, and offer vast vistas over the rugged-canyon like lowlands below.
The property is of global significance for biodiversity conservation. It forms part of the Afroalpine Centre of Plant Diversity and the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot, and it is home to a number of globally threatened species. The cliff areas of the park are the main habitat of the Endangered Walia ibex (Capra walie), a wild mountain goat which is endemic to the Simien Mountains. Other flagship species include the Endangered Ethiopian wolf (or Simien fox, Canis simensis), considered to be the rarest canid species in the world and the Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada), both of which are endemic to the Ethiopian highlands and depend on Afroalpine grasslands and heathlands. Other large mammal species include the Anubis baboon, Hamadryas baboon, klipspringer, and golden jackal.
The park is also an Important Bird Area that forms part of the larger Endemic Bird Area of the Central Ethiopian Highlands. In total, over 20 large mammal species and over 130 bird species occur in the park. The mountains are home to 5 small mammal species and 16 bird species endemic to Eritrea and/or Ethiopia as well as an important population of the rare lammergeyer, a spectacular vulture species.
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The Simiens National Park is also a UNESCO heritage which is located near the Simiens Mountain that gives it a good backdrop. It is located in the Northern Part of the country and it is known to be a home to many endangered wildlife species that include the wild mountain goat, the Ethiopian wolf that can be trekked but with the help of a tour guide, the Gelada baboon, the golden jackal and the Anubis baboon. It is also a home to over 130 bird species and 16 of those are endemic to the country. The different activities that can be carried out in the park include birding, game watching and trekking.
Simien Mountains are often visited and this is because of its historic secrets along with the wonderful view that it offers to its visitors. Besides it has many well maintained routes that will direct you to Simien Mountains as you enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Threats and Conservation
The property was established in an area inhabited by humans and, at the time of inscription, 80% of the park was under human use of one form or another. Threats to the integrity of the park include human settlement, cultivation and soil erosion, particularly around the village of Gich; frequent fires in the tree heather forest; and excessive numbers of domestic stock. Agricultural and pastoral activities, including both cultivation of a significant area of the property and grazing of a large population of animals in particular have severely affected the natural values of the property, including the critical habitats of the Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf.
The boundaries of the property include key areas essential for maintaining the scenic values of the property. However, they do not encompass all the areas necessary to maintain and enhance the populations of the Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf, and a proposal to revise and extend the park boundaries was put forward in the original nomination.
Whilst human settlements threaten the integrity of the originally inscribed property, two proposed extensions of the national park (the Masarerya and the Limalimo Wildlife Reserves, and also the Ras Dejen mountain and Silki-Kidis Yared sectors) and their interlinking corridors are free of human settlement and cultivation, and support the key species that are central parts of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property.
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The national park was established in 1969 and is recognised and protected under national protected areas legislation. The property requires an effective management presence and the maintenance and increasing of staff levels and training . Key tasks for the management of the park include the effective protection of the park’s flagship species and close cooperation with local communities in order to reduce the pressure on the park’s resources arising from agricultural expansion, livestock overstocking and overharvesting of natural resources.
Significant financial support is needed for the management of the park, and the development of alternative livelihood options for local communities. The development, implementation, review and monitoring of a management plan and the revision and extension of the park boundaries, with the full participation of local communities, is essential. Community partnership is particularly important to both reduce community dependence on unsustainable use of the resources of the national park, and also to develop sustainable livelihoods.
Adequate finance to support resettlement of populations living in the property, on a fully voluntary basis, and to introduce effective management of grazing is also essential to reduce the extreme pressure on wildlife. Improving and increasing ecotourism facilities, without impairing the park’s natural and scenic values, has great potential to create additional revenue for the property.
Bale Mountains National Park
Bale Mountains National Park has one of the highest numbers of endemic animals of any land habitat in the world. The park is approximately 2,150 km2, and is divided into five distinct and unique habitats: the Northern Grasslands, Northern Woodlands, Afro-alpine Meadows (Sanetti Pleateau), Erica Moorlands, and the Harenna Forest. The park is known for being home to the largest populations of both the endemic and endangered Ethiopian Wolf and Mountain Nyala, as well as the endemic Bale monkey. Home to over 260 species of birds, the African Bird Club ranks the Bale Mountains at the number four birding site on the continent.
The variety of terrain and ecosystems make for fantastic trekking. Trekking in the Bale Mountains is not as physically demanding as Simien Mountain treks.
The Bale Mountains National Park is situated in the Bale Mountains region and is filled with a lot of wonderful things that you can do and see when you get to the Park and these include birding, game watching and trekking. The different animals and birds that can be seen in the park include the Samien Fox, the Ethiopian wolf, the cape bushbuck, the spot breasted lapwing, the mountain Nyala, the big headed African mole rat, the yellow spotted brush furre, the Abyssinian slaty flycatcher and many more others.
Awash National Park
Only a three hour drive from Addis Ababa, the Awash National Park takes its name from the river which forms the park’s southern boundary. Covering an area of 756 square kilometers, the park is comprised mainly of a dry savanna but also other interesting features such as hot springs, volcanic landscapes, and a fantastic waterfall.
In the open areas and grass plains you should see zebra, oryx, kudu, Soemmerring's gazelle and Swayne’s hartebeest. The Awash National Park is located in the Great Rift Valley and covers over 756 square kilometers in the volcanic plains. It is an extremely good destination for all those that love birding as it has numerous birding spots where you get to see over 400 bird species. It is also a home to various wild animals which include cheetahs, zebras, golden jackals, the caracals, monkeys and many more others.
The Awash National Park is faced with a lot of problems like deforestation and poaching that is carried out by the locals. These keep on cutting down the trees in order to get more land for settlement, cattle keeping and other domestic activities.
Nechisar National Park
Nechisar National Park in Ethiopia is one of the top destinations in Ethiopia and has several wild life that can be viewed when you get to the park. Located in the Greater Rift valley, it is surrounded by the famous twin lakes that is the Chamo and Abaya which provide water for the animals that habitate in the Park. It has over 84 animal species that use it as habituating grounds and over 342 bird species.
Some of the animals that are found in the Park include the African hunting dog, the Bat eared fox, the Guenther’s Dikdik, the Hinde’s bat, the white footed rat, the warthog, Hippos, Greater kudu, the Swayne’s hartebeest, the Aubis baboon, the Burchell’s Zebra and leopards.
Other National Parks
- Mago National Park: Was formed in 1979 making one of the newest Parks in the country. It is located in southern Ethiopia and it is watered by the Mago River. When you visit the Mago National Park, you will also get to visit the local people who have always lived in the area and find out more about their unique culture and get yourself some souvenirs from them as you head back. The locals will also be able to tell you more about the Park and the local trees that sometimes are used for medicine.
- Omo National Park: The Omo National Park was made a UNESCO heritage and is located in the Omo valley. There are several ethnic groups that live around the Park and these affect the habitats of the different wildlife causing a major depletion of the animals. Some of the animals that can be found in Omo Park include elephants, Buffalos, leopards, lions, hyenas, warthogs, gazelles, the African spurred tortoise and the Nile Lechwe. The locals keep cutting down the trees in order to create land for expansion either for farming or settlement, they damage the rivers that are found in the park by throwing in unrecyclable waste.
- Yangudi National Park: The Yangudi National Park is located in the North Eastern Park in the country in the Afar region. It has a lot of wild life that habitate in the different parts of the park but it was mostly created to protect the rare African wild Ass.
- Abijatta National Park: is located in the Rift valley and is a park that you should not miss when you visit Ethiopia.
- Gambella National Park: is located in the western part of the capital city of Ethiopia Addis Ababa. It is characterized with savannah vegetation which habitates almost all the wild life that is found in the Park. The best time to visit the park and get to do some trekking and game viewing is during the dry season which runs between the months of November to March.
Conservation and Management
There are a number of national and international non-governmental organisations involved in the conservation, management and development of protected areas. IUCN and WWF have been involved in conservation efforts and projects in support of the country's national parks on an intermittent basis since 1966.
There are a number of constraints to protected areas management. Resources have been directed to the development of national parks and sanctuaries, which, in practice, are treated almost equally, since sanctuaries are set up to conserve threatened wildlife taxon and the production of harvestable animals is not permitted.
While still more or less recognized, wildlife reserves and controlled hunting areas exist on paper only. While Gambella National Park has virtually ceased to exist as a conservation area, Yavello Sanctuary has been taken over for a livestock project, and Bale Mountains National Park has suffered from uncoordinated development in and near its boundaries.
We have several itineraries that we can prepare for you to go on a safari to the different National Parks in Ethiopia.
One of the world's rarest carnivores, the Ethiopian Red Wolf is only found in Ethiopia. Although it prefers to walk, the Kori Bustard is capable of flight.
The Park is fortunate in possessing a number of rivers and streams which ultimately drains to Omo River. The Park is covered by savannah grassland with scattered deciduous broad leave trees as well as Riverbasine association along the main watercourses. The Wild animal of the MzNPsupports a wide range of savannah species. So far 39 larger and medium sized mammals and 196 birds’ species have been recorded. It is one of the three sites in the world where good population of the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest’s population still survive.
The landscape of MzNP is surrounded by interesting high rugged mountain ranges, escarpment and small hills. The landscape is breathtaking and important for sustainable eco-tourism development.
- Bilbo/Halo Hot Spring: is situated at the upper parts of Maze River in the park It is a form of geyser, which shoot up hot water from deep in side the ground. The smoke released from this hot spring, cover wide area and seen from a distance.
- Wenja Stone Cave: Natural rock cave that can hold up to 300 people.
- Religious Site in Chosho Market: There are two oldest big trees in Chosho Market. These trees are believed as justice giving (court) by the locals residence for any disagreement that may arise among them.
Criterion (vii): The property’s spectacular landscape is part of the Simien mountain massif, which is located on the northern limit of the main Ethiopian plateau and includes the highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dejen.
Criterion (x): The property is of global significance for biodiversity conservation. It forms part of the Afroalpine Centre of Plant Diversity and the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot, and it is home to a number of globally threatened species.
The property requires an effective management presence and the maintenance and increasing of staff levels and training . Key tasks for the management of the park include the effective protection of the park’s flagship species and close cooperation with local communities in order to reduce the pressure on the park’s resources arising from agricultural expansion, livestock overstocking and overharvesting of natural resources.
The development, implementation, review and monitoring of a management plan and the revision and extension of the park boundaries, with the full participation of local communities, is essential. Community partnership is particularly important to both reduce community dependence on unsustainable use of the resources of the national park, and also to develop sustainable livelihoods.
Adequate finance to support resettlement of populations living in the property, on a fully voluntary basis, and to introduce effective management of grazing is also essential to reduce the extreme pressure on wildlife.
Improving and increasing ecotourism facilities, without impairing the park’s natural and scenic values, has great potential to create additional revenue for the property.
Amazing Africa - Unique Wildlife in Ethiopia's Highlands
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