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Galada baboon in the Semien Mountains

Leopard in Awash National park

Pelicans on Abiyata lake

rafting on Omo river

Nature-Trekking

Semien Mountain Ethiopia has a highly diverse fauna and flora. There are about nine national parks and five sanctuaries in the country.

Bale mountains national park
Bale mountains national park was established in 1970 covering an area of 2470 sq.km with an altitude ranging between 1500-4450mt above sea level. The park is situated on a high altitude plateau with numerous spectacular volcanic plugs and peaks, beautiful tiny alpine lakes and rushing mountain streams descending into deep rocky gorges on their way down to the lowlands. Bale mountains national park is the largest Afro-Alpine habitat in Africa. It offers visitors opportunities of mountaineering, horse trekking, scenic driving and chances to view some of Ethiopia's endemic mammals and birds like the mountain Nyala, the Ethiopian Wolf(semien Fox), the Yellow-fronted Parrot, the Abyssinian long claw, the spot-breasted plover, the Abyssinian wood pecker, the Blue-Winged goose, the Roget's rail and the thick-billed raven.

The central area of the national park is a high plateau land known as Sannate, towering up to 4,000mt above sea level. In Sannate there are other peaks including Tullu Dimtu, the 2nd highest peak in Ethiopia standing at 4,377m. Explorers refer to Sannate as '' The island in the Air" due to its unique height and spectacular nature. Bale is also known for its natural cave, Sof Omer. Sof Omer is Considered to be one of the largest cave in the world.

Awash National park

One of the country's most popular and most attractive national parks is Awash National park. It was the first to be established in the country. The park was established in 1966 covering an area of 756 sq.km with an altitude ranging from750m-2007mt above sea level and with a temperature ranging from 16-45 degrees celsius.
Out of 7,000 species of plants recorded in the country about 400 are found in the park. The park is also inhabited by about 76 mammal species (inter alia Oryx, bat-eared fox, caracal, colobus and green Monkeys, Klipspringer, leopard, bushbuck, hippopotamus, soemmerings Gazelle, GreveyZebra, greater and lesser kudu's, warthog and some rear wild animals like cheetah) and bird life like Yellow-throated seed eater (endemic to Ethiopia), green-wood hoopoes, red and yellow barbets.

The national park is covered with different vegetation, such as Arid and semi-Arid wood and Savannah, reverie forest and the plains are covered by grass species and scattered small tree species.Awash Fall The Awash fall is one of the big falls in the country and is one of the major attractions in the park. In the middle of the park we find the dormant Volcano of Mt.Fentale, with a height of 2,007 metres. The other impressive attractions in the park are Crocodiles and hippopotamus in the Awash River and the beautiful blue-green pools of mineral hot springs surrounded by palm trees where you can enjoy swimming.

Semien mountains national park

Semien mountains national park was established in 1966 covering an area of 225sq.km. The park includes Ras Dashen, with a height of 4,620mts the highest mountain in Ethiopia and the fourth highest mountain in Africa. The park accommodates different fauna and flora and with an altitude ranging from 750 to 4,620m above sea level it is one of the most frequented by trekkers.

The endemic Walia ibex, Semien red wolf and Gelada baboon and bird life like lammergeyer, augur buzzard and verraux's eagle can all be found in the National park. It is a place where travelers can make real expeditions. Experienced travelers will enjoy rock climbing and other special adventures under tough conditions.

Nechisar national park
Nechisar national park was established in 1974 and covers an area of 515 Sq.km. With an altitude ranging from 1100-1650m above sea level, it accommodates different fauna and flora. About 84 mammals' species are known to occur in the park (including the main species of mammals like greater Kudu, Burchel's Zebra, Gazel and warthog). Nechisar (meaning white grass, as such referring to the central grassy plains) also has a more varied vegetation than usual savannah. Being in the park you can enjoy the two lakes, Abaya and Chamo that are literally connected by the so-called bridge of God. Lake Abaya is the only pink coloured of the Ethiopian lakes and in Lake Chamo you can enjoy looking at the big crocodiles and hippopotamus while being on the boat. Nechisar National park is the only national park in the world where one can see the critically endangered Swayne's hart beast.

Mago National Park

In the remote south of Ethiopia we find two national parks, Mago and Omo. Mago national park, which is an 800kms drive from Addis Ababa, was established in 1978. It covers an area of 21,620sq.km and has an altitude ranging from 450-2528m above sea level. The park accommodates different fauna and flora. Among the about 81 mammal species known to exist in the park, there are large herds of Elephants, buffaloes, Grant's gazelle, greater and lesser Kudus and we can also find about 217 bird species. It is also by crossing the Mago National park that you can meet the Nilo Saharan Mursi people, who are known for their lip plate.

Omo National Park
sun st on  omo river Omo national park, which was established in 1966, covers an area of 4068sq.kms. The altitude of the park ranges from 450-2528m above sea level. The park accommodates different fauna and flora. Among the 75 mammal species known to exist in the park, there are large herds of elephants, buffaloes, Grant's gazelle and Kudus. With an annual rainfall of less than 1,000m.m, the park is covered with short grassy plains and bush land. For accommodation, hotels and attractive campsites can be found near the park headquarters.


Moreover, Ethiopia is very rich in natural lakes. Most of them are located in the great rift valley of Ethiopia. At Lake Langano you can enjoy the beach and watch some bird life. Surrounding the lake there are different comfortable hotels and lodges like Bekele Mola hotel, Wabishebele hotel, Bishan Gari lodge, Abule Bassuma lodge and Weni lodge. Abijjata and Shala (226m deep and the deepest lake in Ethiopia) are the twin lakes that serve as breeding and feeding places for white pelicans. Lake Awassa, locally called Love Lake, is the best lake to watch bird life and to visit a fish market. Abaya, the only pink -coloured lake in Ethiopia, and Chamo, the lake where you can enjoy big crocodiles and hippopotamus, are the lakes that are part of the Nechisar national park which can be found in the south of the country around Arba Minch.
For accommodation, the privately owned hotels Bekele Mola and Swayne’s are the best places to enjoy a beautiful view of Nechisar national park. The best hotel of Arba Minch, but lacking the beautiful view, is the Arbaminch tourist hotel at the center of the city.
Bishofitu, a 47km drive from the capital city, is surrounded by five crater lakes: Hora, Bishofitu, Babogaya, kurufitu and Green Lake. Hora is special because it is the place where cultural events and religious performances take place.