Awash National Park
REGION:
Amhara
BEST TIMES TO VISIT:
September - February
WHY TRAVELLERS LOVE IT:
It is the oldest and most developed wildlife reserve in Ethiopia.
A perfect piece of wilderness just outside the capital city.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
- Rare birding
- Waterfall Hike
- Game Viewing
Wildlife
The terrain of the park is varied. An assortment of wildlife has made the area their home and foraging ground.
You can spot crocodiles at many locations along the Awash River, as well as warthogs and colobuses that inhabit the nearby forests. In some areas, you can find graceful beisa Oryx, zebras, and gazelles. In the Kudu Valley, you can find the smaller salt’s dik-dik and kudus.
Many larger predators inhabit the park as well, but unlike the crocodiles, they are not easy to find. If the wildlife or birds are your main reason for visiting the park, be sure to book your trip during the period immediately following the rainy season, when the wildlife is most active.
Bird Watching
Awash National Park is arguably one of the best places on the African continent to watch birds, as it lies on a number of important migration routes.
Some of the 460 species of birds are only found in or near Awash National Park, such as the rock chat and the yellow-throated seedeater.
The salty water of Lake Basaka is a wonderful place to spot water birds such as stints (peeps), plovers, storks, herons, pelicans, lapwings sandpipers, and flamingos.
The acacia thickets by the waterfall are great habitats for birds like grey hornbills, somali fiscal, helmeted guineafowl, blue-naped mousebirds, kori bustards, drongos, larks, kingfishers, robins, and even birds of prey, like eagles, kites, falcons, and goshawks. Even ostriches are being reintroduced to the plains in Awash National Park, making the variety of birds to see here quite remarkable.
Awash National Park is a popular destination for all travellers, especially bird and wildlife enthusiasts. It is conveniently located close to the capital and is home to over 460 different species of birds, some quite rare. The best times to visit are during the warm and dry months between September and February. The wildlife and bird variety on display changes depending on the season, and there is always something new to see. The park also prides itself on having a variety of other natural attractions, such as palm tree groves, hot springs, volcanic landscapes, and waterfalls.
Awash River Falls
Human habitation along the banks of The Awash River can be traced back to the beginning of the species. And even today, humans are still drawn to its presence.
The magnificent Awash River Waterfall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is just a short ways from the Awash River lodge. There are a number of short, easy hikes from the lodge that will allow you to explore the gorge at the base of the falls.
The waterfall is gorgeous. The water of the mighty river tumbles noisily down 150 meters and continues down to the town of Awash.
