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Size:514km2(Eighth)

Region: SNNPR

Geographical Location:-505km.south –west of Addis Ababa near ArbaMinch

Altitude:1,108-1,608m

Physical Features: The park is an impressive Swathe (wrapping)of white grass plains set against the back drop of Clearly Defined, deeply cut hills and Mountains. 78km of The Park is water-parts of Lake Chamo and abaya.

Temperature There are host springs at the far eastern sector of the Park. Temperature range B/n 110c and 260c. January to March is the hottest period with daily maximum of around 350c. November and December are typically the coldest month’s whit maximum of Around 280c.

Rainfall: averages 888(900)mm and mainly falls march to May and September to November.

Vegetation;-Savannah dry bush ground water forest.

Fauna:-Anubis baboon, verve Monkey, cloobus Monkey, Swayne’s Harte best, Busechel’s Zebra, African Wild dog greater kudu, cat, Grant’s gazelle, Guenther’s dik-dik, black –backed Jackal, Crocodile and hippopotamus.

Birdlife:-The 188(333) bird species, Including 2(3) endemics-of the area are quite varied reflecting the d/f habitats within the park . Both the red-billed and gerhornbill are Common here. The Three endemics are- thick-billed raven. The watt led Ibis and the mysterious, Nechisar nightjar. Also common are fish eagle, Kingfishers, and rollers, various bustard species are also found in the park, including the large and impressive kori.

Visitor Facilities: Campsite in forest near kilfo river, Hotels in near by town of Arab Minch

Nechi Sar National Park

Nechi Sar National Park (Amharic for white grass) is located near Arba Minch town, named after the white grass that covers the undulating Nechi Sar plains, hosting the lakes Abaya and Chamo. Nechi Sar National Park is in eastern Gamo Gofa Zone. The zonal capital, Arba Minch, is on the western border of the park. Arba Minch is 510 km south of the capital Addis Ababa and 279 km south-west of the regional capital Awassa. Nechi Sar is named after the white grass that covers the undulating Nechi Sar plains and contrasts with the black basalt rocks of the Amaro Mountains to the east, and the black soils of the plains.

This 750 km2 National Park was established in 1974, and it is among the most beautiful game reserves in Africa set in the Rift Valley at an altitude of 1,000-1650m, the Park protects not only the easterly Nech-Sar “white grass plains for which it is named, but also portions of lake Chamo and Abaya and the mountainous bridge of God” that lies between the two lakes. Nech-Sar National Park is the wide Varity of animals and 350 bird species have been recorded.

The most common large mammal here is Burchell’s Zebra, which is regularly seen in herds of two or more you should also see grant’s gazelle and, with a bit of luck, one of the 100 odd resident Swayne’s hartebeest. Lion, cheetah and even Africa world dog are present and Guenther’s dik-dik and greater Kudu, Crocodile, Hippo and Waterbuck are frequently seen from the view point over Lake Chamo. Acacia birds such as rollers, Sparrow weavers and Starlings are well represented, and Nech-Sar seems to be particularly good for Raptors

Around 15% of the park comprises portions of Lakes Abaya to the north and Chamo to the south. The water of Lake Abaya is always brown or red-brown, in contrast with Lake Chamo which has strikingly blue water and white sandy beaches. The park also covers the neck of land between the lakes which supports groundwater forest. At the foot of Mt Tabala in the south-east there are hot springs. The altitude ranges from 1,108m at the shore of Lake Chamo to 1,650m on Mt Kalia in the north-east.

The main habitats of Nechi Sar National Park are the lakes, their shorelines, the groundwater forest and connecting river, the dry grassy plains, thick bushland and the wooded valleys and foothills of the Amaro Mountains. Most of the park is covered in bush land, which is thick and impenetrable in places, the taller trees.
The forest between the two lakes and by the Kulfo River is dominated by Ficus sycamorus up to 30m tall. This same area supports a number of shrubs and scramblers, but few herbs on the forest floor. The freshwater swamps at the mouth of the Kulfo River and in Lake Chamo are dominated by Typha angustifolia, tall waterside grasses, e.g. Saccharum spontaneum, and the small leguminous trees, Sesbania sesban and the legume Aeschynomene elaphroxylon.

Size:2,162 km2 (fifth)

Region: SNNPR

Geographical Location:-800(7.70) km South-west of Addis Ababa Touching the East bank of river Via Arba Minch. Konso and Jinka

Altitude:450-2528(Mt.mago)

Physical Features: The highest Point is Mount Mago (2,528m) situated in the north of the park

Temperature: here swings b/n 140C AND 410 C

Rainfall: which fall from March to May and October to December is Low, Being 480mm on average.

Vegetation:-Mainly grass Savannah , with Some forested areas around the rivers. Very dense bush makes Difficult for games viewing.

Fauna:-The park was set up to Conserve the large numbers of plain animals in the area ,Particularly buffalo (about 2000 head), giraffe, and elephant (200 head)Also among the species of mammal seen here are topi and lelwel Hartebeest, as well as lion, chieetah, Leopard, burchel zebra, gerenuk, Oryx, and greater Kudu and Lesser Kudu. There are Many Small mammals too making up altogether 81 mammals species so far recorded

Birdlife:-The birds are typical of the dry grassland habitat, featuring bustards, hornbills, Weavers, and starlings. King fisher’s and Herons can be seen around the Neri river, which provides an alternative There are Altogether 153 Species of birds recorded to date, Four(4)of them endemic; the white winged cliff chat, the black-headed forest Oriole, the Thick billed raven , and the watt led ibis.

Visitor Facilities:  campsite by Neri River near the Head quarters of the park

Mago National Park

Mago National Park is in South Omo Zone, 35km south-west of Jinka, the administrative centre of the Zone.
The Mago River flows through the centre of the park and joins the Neri River at Mago swamp, before continuing southwards as the Usno to join the Omo River. The river, which is 760 km long, originates in the central, south-western highlands of Ethiopia, where it is known as the Gibe. Its final destination is Lake Turkana, close to the Kenyan border.
Proclaimed in the 1960, the 2,162 km2 Mago National park is bisected by the Mago Rivers which flow into the Omo in the park’s southern boundary. Although Mago National Park share some 5km of its southwestern boundary with Omo National Park, the protected areas effectively form one ecological unit.
The altitude at the edge of the park is 400 m. To the east are the Mursi Hills, rising to over 1,600 m. North of the Neri river are the Mago mountains with the highest point, Mt Mago, at 2,528 m. The south-eastern quarter of the park is crossed by many small streams and rivers. The headquarters for the park are by the Neri River, near the entrance from Jinka.

The main habitats of the park and surrounding area are the rivers and riverine forest, the wetlands of Mago swamp and Lake Dipa, the bush land, savanna grassland and open grassland on the more level areas, and bush land and scrub on the sides of the hills. Open grassland comprises just 9% of the area, the rest of the area being described as very dense. The largest trees are found in the riverine forest beside the Omo, Mago and Neri. Areas along the lower Omo (within the park) are populated with a rich diversity of ethnic groups including the Ari, Banna, Bongoso, Hamer, Karo, Kwegu, Male and Mursi peoples. A number of these groups live beside the river and make extensive use of its natural resources and its levees to grow crops.

Size:5,060km2(First)

Region: Gambella

Geographical Location:-West Ethiopia,850km west of Addis Ababa

Altitude:400-768m

Physical features: EXTENSIVE Swamps and wetlands of the Akobo river system

Rainfall;is1500mm a year, falling b/n April and October

Temperatures are high

Vegetation:-Semi-arid open Woodland, Savannah, swamp

Fauna:-The park conations forty-one(41) 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 hartbeest, lion, and giraffe are also present.

Birdlife:-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.

Visitor Facilities: NO development yet.

Gambella National Park

Gambella National Park is a remote and swampy park established primary to protect population of two endangered wetland antelopes whose range is restricted to this part of Ethiopia and adjacent regions in southern Sudan. The park has never been fully protected, the area does support significant though shrinking populations of Elephant, Buffalo and Lion, as well as Roan antelope, Tiang, Lelwel hartebeest, Olive baboon and Guereza monkey. Several interesting birds inhabit the Gambella National Park, notably Ethiopia’s’ only population of the elusive and weird looking Shoebill Stork. Other interesting and unusual species found in the park include the country’s entire population of the localized Lelwel hartebeest, Paradise Whydah, the lovely Little green bee eaters, as well as Black-faced Fire Finch, Red-necked Buzzard, Egyptian Plover, and several localized but drab Cisticolas and other Warblers.

Size: 750m2(Seventh)

Region: Oromia/Afar

Geographical Location:-Bordering the A wash River in the upper rift valley,225kmeast of Addis Ababa

Altitude: 750-2,007m

Physical Features: Nearby Lake Basaka is to many water bird species. The park’s southern boundary is, in part, the Awash River,one of the Major rivres of Ethiopia.

In the middle of the Park is the dominant volcano of Fantale, reaching a height of 2,007m on its rim. The Park also includes the dramatic awash fall and the unbelievablyclear blue-but hot-pools of the Filwoha hot spring.

Temperatures: can reach as high as 420c.Nights are cooler, with temperatures between 100cand 220c.

Rain: mainly falls b/n February and April and June to August &averages 619mm

Vegetation: Arid and semi-arid woodland and savannah, but also riverine forest.The plains are covered by grass species, with scattered small tree covered in dense thickets of acacia species. The rocky valleys to the north of the parkare heavily bushed. Along the river a thin belt of denseriverine forest, including acacia, tamarina and fig species.

Fauna: Forty six (46) species, including Beisa Oryx, greater and lesser Kudu, Soemmering’s Gazelle, Swayne’s hartebeest,lion, Hamadryads and Anubis baboon and their hybrids, Defassa waterbuck, Salt’s dik-dik.

Birdlife:-There are five(5) endemic among the 392 species(1st) 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.

Visitor facilities: Very basic caravan lodge on edge of Awash gorge, campsite beside river, museum.

Awash National Park

 EMPTY

Awash National Park: stretched over 756 kilometres2 AWNP is situated at 225 kilometers south east of Addis on the plain through which the highway and railway line leading to Dire Dawa and Djibuti passes.
Establish in 1966, Awash National Park is the first officially gazetted wildlife reserve in the country. The park is entirely established on the plain of the Rift Valley. With the exception of 2600m high mountain Fantallé, the park area is predominantly covered with shrub, bush, acacia and open grass lands.

The main tourist attractions of the park include:
The 46 major species of mammals and 453 species of birds among which six species are endemic to the country. All the mammals are East African plain animals origin like greater and lesser Kudus, oryx, bush buck, dik-dik, gazzelle, fox, klipspringer, cheetah, lions and others. The bird species include secretary birds, Abyssinian ground hornbill, carmine bee eater, Abyssinian Roller and birds of riverine forest like coucal, turaco and goaway birds;

The Awash River that at the end of its gentle flowing course in relatively plain surface, suddenly drops into a gorge where the waters hit the bottom basaltic rocks to form a smoky water falls offering delightful sensation; Fantallé mountain, which rises majestically over the surrounding low land with its fascinating feature of volcanic origin, and depression on the top of the mountain that form a rugged surface with clouds of volcanic steam rising here and there;

The palm springs of the northern part of the park, where hot water springs from the wall of hill flows down making a stream and a natural swimming pool amidst palm trees; The museum in the park head quarters where trophies of animals living in the park are displayed; The 22 caravans stationed on the edge of the Awash river gorge and the camp sites along the gently flowing Awash river where visitors could camp under riverine trees give opportunity to see crocodiles in the river and other larger animals that come to drink water.

Size:887km2 (sixth)

Region:Oromia

Geographical Location:-Rift Valley, 200km, south of Addis Ababa

Altitude:1,540-075m

Physical Features: 482km2 of the park is water comprising the fluctuating shallow pan of Lake Shalla, both of which are saline. Several hot springs bubble up by the shore and flow into Lake Shalla.Mount Fike, 2,075 meters high, is situated b/n the two Lakes.

Temperatures: can be high, reaching 450c at maximum and 50c at minimum. B/n March and April and June and Septumber average 500 mm

Vegetation:-Savannah and acacia wood Land, Many areasare adversely affected by people Practicing charcoal production and livestock grazingparticularly near the roads.

Fauna:-31 species of mammals, including greater Kudu, Grant’s Gazelle, warthog, Anubis baboongrivet and colobus monkeys, Oribi, Klipspringer, black-backed and common Jackal.

Birdlife;-300(200) species, including six endemics parkcreated for the water birds, especially great white pelican, greater and Lesser Flamingocormorants.

Visitor Facilities:Hotels (government and privet) and camping on nearby Lake Langano, Self Catering restHouse at Gike.

Abijata-Shalla National Park

At about 215 kilometers from Addis Ababa, visitors will arrive at Abijata-Shala National Park main gate or “Lakes Park” which was once reputed as one of the bird watchers ground in Africa. It was 887 square. kilometers in area out of which 482 square. kilometers is covered by water of Lake Abijata and Shala. This park used to have about 31 species of mammals such as Spotted Hyena, Golden and Black Backed Jakals, Olive Baboon, Grant’s Gazelle, etc., and 367 species of birds. But currently due to devastated ecology and extreme decrease of Abijata Lake water, one can see only less concentration of flamingoes.

Before, myriad of local and exotic birds that come from Europe and different parts of the world used to congregate here in at Lake Abijata. July to September being the peak season of congregation (and best time to watch birds) in the year. Hundreds of thousands of Flamingoes and Great White Pelicans, Fish Eagles, King Fishers, the tall Marabou Stork, Cormorants and Darters, etc. used to roam here in Lake Abijata and in the side-by lake Shala. There were also vast colonies of sacred Ibis, Queela, Stilt, Snope Black Heron, Avocet, Egyptian Geeze, Eglets, Plovers, etc. It is quite unlikely however, to see most of the birds mentioned above while some species are seen in small number (seasonally), due to the same reason stated earlier.

Located at 215 kilometers from Addis Ababa the small enclosure of Ostrich farm hosts a group of ostriches with some Grant’s Gazelles. At the park’s head quarter one can easily observe (watch) a flock of male and female ostriches and some gazelles. Lake Shala, which is separated to the south from lake Abijata by a strip of land has a delightful view for its deep blue color with excellent reflections of the magnificent western hills. At the north eastern shore of the lake Shala, one can be impressed by a tumbling cascade of hot springs and smoke of vapor that rush out down to the bay. This is typical investment potential for spa resort development and some investors are being attracted by this intact nature.

The other fascinating part of the lake is the Gike Site. It is situated on the lofty land at the south western shore of lake Shala. This is the best site for bird watching and camping. It is accessible by a sturdy car through Aware and Senbete towns found south of Shashamane. Lake Shala is also the ideal lake for water transportation to make touring around the tiny islands and for connecting its western and eastern shore. South west of lake Shala, there is also a small alkaline crater lake known as lake Chittu. This small lake, more than any other lake, is the best site of bird watching, especially the flamingoes. Chittu is accessible by four wheel drive via Sambaté town.