Yangudi Rassa National Park

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It’s not a surprise that Africa is a place of amazing parks, but
none combines such a variety of stunning landscapes and wildlife as
Afar’s Yangudi Rassa National Park. Not only you can catch incredible
close up view of the wildlife daily activities but you can also explore
the nearby world’s spectacular landscapes.

There are truly few places on Earth that blend culture and nature as
incredible as the one you see in Afar. Yangudi Rassa National Park lies
in the warm Afar region holding 4730 square kilometers of territory next
to the massive Mount Yangudi.  Sandy semi-desert and wooded bush and
grass cover the majority of the park’s area.  It’s home to several wild
animals and birds including the wild Ass, Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s
gazelle, gerenuk and Grevy’s zebra, Phoenicopterus, Petronia
brachydactyla and Ardeotis arabs.

This national park was proposed to protect the
African Wild Ass. Recently, the Wild Ass went extinct in Yagundi Rassa.
However, there is a small population in the adjacent Mile-Serdo Wild Ass
Reserve (8,766 km²). The park headquarters are in the town of Gewane. A
large part of the park is composed of extensive grasslands and
thickets. With an average altitude of 500 masl, the climate of the park
is hot and dry for a larger part of the year. It has an estimated area
of 5,400 sq km and is covered with grasslands, bush and thorn thickets.
Besides these major habitats, dry river beds, rocky hills and sandy
semi-deserts formmicro-habitats. Thickets are largely composed of Acacia
mellifera and A. nubica. The Awash River forms its western boundary
where better vegetation growth can be observed. Temperature can rise to
42 – 43 ºC in the shade. Rains are bi-modal with the main rainy season
extending from October-December. An erratic pattern of rainfall is
expected from August to September. The park is in a major flyway for
migrant birds coming from the northern hemisphere from September to
January. In this respect, the Awash River plays a critical role
sustaining the lives of millions of southbound sojourning birds.

Unique features – Yangudi Rassa is an extensive
wilderness in this remote northeastern partof the country. More than 200
birds have been recorded here. Of these, no less than 23 Somali-Masai
Biome species and two globally threatened species, namely, the Lesser
Kestrel and Pallid Harrier are know to occur in the park. It is an
important flyway for species like the Terek Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper,
Redshank, Woodchat Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Black Cap and Ortolan
Bunting. This protected area also has 36 species of mammals including
Wild Ass, Beisa Oryx, Dorcas Gazelle, Hamadryas Baboon, Bat-eared Fox,
Black-backed Jackal, Striped Hyena and Aardwolf.

SEMIEN MOUNTAIN- THE ROOF OF AFRICA

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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 that can take more than two days to cross. Not
enough geological time has elapsed to smooth the contours of the crags
and buttresses of hardened basalt.–Simien Mountain National Park is
located at the northern edge of the central plateau of Ethiopia,
overlooking the Tekeze Gorges. It is part of the Simien Mountain Massif
in Northern Ethiopia, which lies at elevations between about 2,000m and
4,620m, taking in Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia, which stands
adjacent to the park and the fourth highest in Africa.–The National
Park itself, with a core area of around 140km2 and one of the smallest
in Ethiopia, is located in the North Gondar zone of the Amhara National
Regional State. It is 130 km from Gondar, the capital of North Gondar
zone of Amhara region and about 882 km from Addis Ababa. It covers the
highlands, ranging up to an altitude of 3,000 m ( with the peak of
Bwahit Mountain at 4,430 m), and the lowlands, which lie at an average
altitude of below 2,000 m. the steep escarpments separating these two
significant landscapes were formed by volcanic activities and subsequent
erosion millions of years ago. They give the mountain scenery its
characteristic appearance, which is so spectacular for visitors today.
Located at the Gondar- Axsum axis, which are both cultural world
Heritage Sites on the so-called “Historic Route, you can reach the
National Park by passing Debark, a market town on the road to Axsum and
an important base for organizing trips to the National Park.–One of the
main justifications for establishing Simien Mountains National Park at
the time was the fact that the Simien area is the last stronghold of the
Walia ibex (capra walie). This animal is a type of wild goat and the
species, found only in the Simien, is the southernmost of its genus. The
Walia habitat covers the steep areas of the escarpment as well as the
grassy ledges where they need to feed and sun themselves in mornings and
evenings. The aftermath of war, poaching, and the destruction of
natural habitat has diminished the Walia population in the park to an
alarming extent. Meanwhile efforts to protect natural habitat have shown
first signs of progress. The number of animals

still living within and around the park boundaries has increased
again from an estimated total of 200-260 in 1994 (according to Swiss
research) to 400 today. The eastern and southeastern parts of the park
around the Bwahit — steep sloping rocks over 2,400 m — are particularly
good spots to see the Walia in its natural habitat, especially in the
morning up to ten o’clock and in the late afternoon. However, not only
the Walia makes Simien Mountains National Park a world heritage site.

The Simien fox or Ethiopian wolf (canis simiensis) is another highly
endangered species endemic to Ethiopia. Until recent time, there was
controversy as to the naming of this mammal. Today research has proved
that this animal is neither a jackal nor a fox. It is rather a wolf.
Hence, it is more correct to name it as Ethiopian wolf. The population
within and around the park is estimated to be as low as 30-40, while the
estimated total in the whole of Ethiopia does not exceed much more than
400 animals, which is an indication of the threatening situation for
the Ethiopian wolf. Its habitat continues to shrink as demand grows for
the Park’s high grass. This needs great attention for conservation.
Other animals in the park are much easier to observe. It is impossible
to enter the park without passing large groups of Gelada baboons
(Theropithecus gelada).The Gelada Baboon, sometimes referred to as the
bleeding heart Baboon, because of its bare bright red chest is the third
endemic mammal of this park. With a little bit of patience and luck you
might also see the Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus), the Bush pig
(Potamochoerus porcus), the Bush Buck (Tragelaphus scriptus), the
colobus (colobus abyssinicus), grass rats, and other species. –More than
180 species of birds (6 endemic in the SMNP; one discovered recently in
1998) can be found in the Simien Mountains, the most famous being the
wattled Ibis , the Lammergeier, the thick-billed Raven and the Towny
eagle. The escarpments and lowland areas in particular are ideally
suited to observing various species of Birds. –Simien Mountains National
Park is the largest virtually natural habitat island in the Ethiopian
Highlands, and its surrounding cliffs and lowlands act as an ecological
barrier allowing the ecosystems to evolve almost independently.
–Therefore, in addition to this interesting fauna, the Simien also
boasts a wealth of fascinating flora. Generally, the vegetation in the
Simien area is characterized by three different altitudinal belts. These
are Afro alpine, Ericaceous and Afromontane forest belts. –The Afro
alpine steppe belt is above 3700 m above sea level. This altitudinal
belt is famous for the occurrence of the Giant Lobelia (Lobelia
rhynchopetalum) and is rounded off with a colorful patch work of red and
yellow flowers comprising the so called ” red hot poker” (Kniphofia
Foliosa and Kniphofia pumila). This is also the belt where silvery or
yellow straw – flowers called ” Everlastings ” (eg. Helichrysum
Citrospinum) which flower in the dry season are found.–Inside the
Ericaceous belt, between elevation of 3000 and 3700m., the most
interesting is the Erica-Hypericum communities composed of the Giant St.
Johns Worth (Hypericum Revolutum) and the Giant Heath (Erica Arborea).
Another remarkable plant native to the Simien and common at this
altitude is the Abyssinian Wild Rose (Rosa Abyssinica), whose
characteristic ivory white flowers can be admired especially during the
dry season. Still in the list of exceptionally large plants at this belt
is the Giant Sphere Thistle (Echnopes Longisetus).–The belt ranging
from 2000m-3000m is called the Afro Montane forest belt. More than about
100 species of trees can be found here and the bio diversity is
generally much higher than on the highland plateau.

Nechisar National Park

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Nechisar National Park is situated 510km south of Addis near the
town of Arba Minch, in between Lakes Abaya and Chamo. From the town on
the ridge of land that divides Abaya and Chamo there are commanding
panoramic views all around, including both lakes with Nechisar on the
eastern side and, to the west, the Guge range of mountains. The
outstanding beauty of the neck of land between the two lakes has earned
it the sobriquet of’Bridge of Heaven’. The equally poetic Arba Minch –
meaning ‘forty springs’ – takes its name from the bubbling streams which
spring up amid the undergrowth of the luxuriant groundwater forest that
covers the flats beneath the town. This alluring area is considered one
of Ethiopia’s last great surviving wildernesses.

A wide variety of plains game roam freely amongst 514 km2 of
savannah, dry bush and ground water forest. Animals to be seen are
Bushbuck, Swayne’s Hartebeest, Burchell’s Zebra, Grant’s Gazelle,
Guenther’s Dik-dik, Greater Kudu, Crocodile, Anubis Baboon, Grey Duiker.
Birds seen include Red-billed Hornbill, Grey Hornbil,l Fish Eagle, Kori
Bustard, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. A backdrop of hills and mountains
combine to make this one of the most attractive national parks in
Ethiopia, and its location makes Nechisar Park very accessible. In the
far eastern part of the Nechisar park is hot springs bubble to the
surface. The shores and islands of Abaya and Chamo are populated by
farming peoples such as the Ganjule and the Guji, both of whom also have
ancient traditions of hippo hunting. The Guji ply the Lake Abaya waters
in elegantly curved high-prowed ambatch boats similar to those depicted
on the tombs of Egyptian phar-aohs. Made of extremely light wood, an
ambatch is capable of transporting several cattle at one time and is
sufficiently sturdy to withstand any attack by crocodiles, which are
present in large numbers – and large sizes – on both lakes.

The vivid contrasts of the Nechisar National Park will linger long in
your memory – a swathe of white grass against the backdrop of clearly
defined, deeply cut hills and mountains. From the escarpment on which
Arba Minch stands you look down on the clear blue waters of Lake Chamo
and the sandy beaches of its northern shores, covered by crocodiles
lounging in the sun.

To the north of Nechisar National Park, Lake Abaya’s surface is a
startling contrast of dark red, caused by the suspended load of ferrous
hydroxide in its waters. At the base of the escarpment is a large area
of groundwater forest around the Kulfo River, as well as the ‘forty
springs’ after which Arba Minch is named. The western edge of the Rift
Valley forms an impressive backdrop to the west. Within the forest are
shy, chestnut-red bushbuck, the comical bushpig, troops of Anubis
baboons, and vervet monkeys.

The most commonly seen creatures of Nechisar’s bush and savannah are
two extremes of antelope: the large greater kudu, with its spectacular
spiral horns and white-striped flanks, and the minuscule Guenther’s
dik-dik.

At first sight the Nechisar plains, which you encounter as you leave
the peninsula between the two lakes, seem surprisingly empty. But
dotting this apparently endless sweep of golden white grass are herds of
Burchell’s zebra, which mingle with Grant’s gazelle and an occasional
Swayne’s hartebeest, an endemic subspecies. Also seen are black-backed
jackal and African hunting dog.

The many and varied bird species reflect the different habitats
within the Nechisar park. As well as their crocodiles and bird life,
lakes Abaya and Chamo are famous for their sport fishing potential,
especially for Nile perch – often weighing more than 100 kilos (220
pounds) – and for the fighting ‘tiger fish’.

MAMMALS :In the park 91 species of mammals have been
described. Common zebra, Swayne’s hartebeest, Grants gazelle, greater
kudu, Guenther’s dikdik, common bushbuck, Colobus monkey, and
hippopotamus are the most interesting ones for the visitor. The large
herds of zebra in the Nechisar plains are one of the landmarks of the
park.

BIRDS :The park harbors at least 351 bird species ,
some of them little known in Ethiopia: white-tailed lark , the endemic
Nechisar nightjar and the rare star-spotted nightjar. Especially the
Nechisar nightjar remains an enigma. Only one wing was ever found, no
one has yet seen the live animal.

FISH

A total of 16 species are generally recorded for both Abaya &
Chamo Lakes and of these, two are endemic to Ethiopia, the Labeo
Brunelli and the Marcusenius Annamaariae.

REPTILES: Considerable number of snakes, lizards,
tortoises and frogs are found in the Park. A total of 21 species of
snakes including the African egg-eater occurs in the area.

MAGO NATIONAL PARK

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Located about 800 kilometers south of Addis Ababa and on east bank
of Omo river, the 2,162 square kilometers of this park are divided by
the Mago River, a tributary of the Omo, into two parts. To the west is
the Tama Wildlife Reserve, with the Tama river defining the boundary
between the two. To the south is the Murle Controlled Hunting Area,
distinguished by Lake Dipa which stretches along the left side of the
lower Omo. The park office is 115 kilometers north of Omorate and 26
kilometers southwest of Jinka. The park has about 200km internal roads,
which lead to the different attractions sites of the park. All roads to
and from the park are unpaved.

Most easily accessed from the town of Jinka, Mago National Park is
mainly savannah, with some forested areas around the rivers. It was set
up to conserve the large numbers of plains animals in the area,
particularly buffalo, giraffe, and elephant. Also seen here are topi and
lelwel hartebeest, as well as lion, leopard, Burchell’s zebra, gerenuk,
and greater and lesser kudu. The birds are also typical of the dry
grassland habitat, featuring bustards, hornbills, weavers, and
starlings. Kingfishers and her-ons feed in and around the Neri River,
which provides an alternative habitat.

The major environments in and around the Mago Park are the rivers and
riverine forest, the wetlands along the lower Mago and around Lake
Dipa, the various grasslands on the more level areas, and scrub on the
sides of the hills. Open grassland comprises about 9% of the park’s
area. 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 Aari,
Banna, Bongoso, Hamer, Karo, Kwegu, Male and Mursi peoples. The park’s
perhaps best known attraction are the Mursi, known for piercing their
lips and inserting disks made of clay.

Wildlife: the Park supports a typical bush savanna
fauna with 81 larger mammals & 237 species of bird. Among mammals:
African elephant, buffalo, lesser-kudu, greater-kudu, duiker, warthog,
tiang, lewel’s hartebeests, Oryx, grant’s gazelle, gerenuk, giraffe,
cheetah, wild dog, lions, leopards, gureza, common baboon and verevt
monkey are common & conspicuous.

Access:The Park is 800km and 500 km from to the
south of Addis Ababa and Hawassa, respectively. The road from Jinka town
to the park covers a distance of 34km all weather gravel road. The park
has about 200km internal roads, which lead to the different attractions
sites of the park.

Surrounding Community

MNP area is also very well-known for its rich cultural diversity,
where many elements of the earliest nomadic lifestyles are still
continued. Hammer, Benna, Mursi, Ngagatom, Ari, Karo, Body, Kwegu are
communities very well known for their traditional culture, lifestyles,
colorful body decoration, ceremonies, festivals, rituals, and other
living expressions.

Gambella National Park

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At a road distance of 850 km Gambela – Addis Ababa, the 50,600 ha
Gambella National park is located 850 km west of Addis Ababa, the 50,600
hectares Gambella National park has the richest mega
wildlife of the parks in Ethiopia. It was established as a protected
area in 1973 to conserve a diverse assemblage of wildlife and unique
habitats. Although not technically in the Rift Valley, Gambella National
Park lies along another of the country’s important rivers: the Baro.
Near the town of Gambella, Gambella National Park, is one of Ethiopia’s
least developed parks and has no facilities. Nevertheless, the large
conservation area contains many species not found elsewhere in the
country, such as the Nile lechwe and the white-eared kob. Roan antelope,
topi, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and the unusual whale-headed stork
are also to be found here.

Originally the park was created for protection of extensive swamp
habitat and its wildlife. Located on the Akobo river system, it hosts
several wildlife not found elsewhere in Ethiopia. The banks of the baro
are rich in birdlife and thus give visitors an extra advantage. Its
northern boundary is formed by the Baro River. To the south of the park
is the Gilo River flows from Gog to Tor in a northwesterly direction.

The landscape of Gambella is low and flat with altitude ranging from
400 to 768 masl. The average altitude is around 500 meters above sea
level.

The people of this area are the Anuak and the Nuer. Mainly fisherfolk
– but also cattle herders – the Anuak and Nuer are extremely handsome,
with dark, satiny complexions. Both men and women favour a style of
decorative scarification on the chest, stomach, and face; and often
boast heavy bone bangles, bright bead necklaces, and spikes of ivory or
brass thrust through a hole pierced in the lower lip and protruding down
over the chin.

Unaffected by the ways of the modern world, these interesting people
remain as remote, unchanged, and beautiful as the land in which they
live.

Wildlife

41 larger mammals are known including Buffalo, Elephant, White-eared
Kob, Hippopotamus, Nile Lechwe, Giraffe, Warthog, Topi, Waterbuck, Roan
Antelope,  Burchell’s Zebra, Bushbuck and Reedbuck. The rivers host
healthy populations of Nile Crocodiles. Gambella has more than 300 bird
species, obviously including water birds like the Shoebilled Heron,
Basra Reed Warbler and Demoiselle Crane. Nile perch weighing more than
100 kg have been caught from the Baro River.

Climate of Gabella National park

The climate of Gabella is hot and humid with maximum temperatures
just before the rainy season in May. Annual mean temperature is with a
minimum and maximum of 20.4 and 34.8 0 C, respectively. Annual rainfall
is about 1400 mm. The wet season is from May to October when large parts
of the park are totally inaccessible.

Bale Mountain National Park

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Lying south-east of Ethiopia, Bale Mountains National Park covers
2400 square kilometers (1488 square miles) covering wide range of
habitats and ranging in altitude from 1500 to 4377 meters (4920 to 14357
feet) at Tulu Dimtu, the highest point in the southern Ethiopia. The
spectacular Harenna escarpment running from east to west divides the
area into two major parts. To the north is a high altitude plateau area
known as the Sanetti Plateau (4000m) formed of ancient volcanic rocks
and dissected by many rivers and streams that have cut deep gorges into
the edges. In some places this has resulted in scenic waterfalls and
alpine lakes.
The vegetation here varies according to altitude.

The park can be divided into three main zones. Around Dinsho, in the
north, there are grass riverine plains, bordered by bands of bushes,
particularly sagebrush and St. John’s Wort. Wild flowers, such as Giant
Lobelia, Geraniums, ‘red-hot pokers’ and Alcheilla, form carpets of
color. Higher up the mountains heather appears either as small bushes or
as mature trees.
The second zone, the Sanetti Plateau, is home to
typical Afro-Alpine plants, some coping with the extreme temperatures by
either remaining very small or becoming large. The best example of the
latter is the curious looking Giant Lobelia, whose stems stand high
against the skyline. Wild flowers are many and various, the dominant
plant being the Helichrysum, or ’everlasting’ flowers that can be seen
in many forms. Keep an eye on the indigenous Abyssinia rose, with its
lovely subtle scent.

The Bale Mountains National Park in central Ethiopia remains
relatively undiscovered by even the most adventurous travellers, who
tend to explore the Simien Mountains in the north and the Rift Valley
Lakes in the south. This is in part due to poor access and limited
accommodation. Now, a new road has cut the journey time from the Rift
Valley Road from 10 hours to one, and at the end of it the first
high-end lodge has open.

The stream also brings rich wildlife watching: 240 species of bird,
mountain nyala (antelope), warthogs and Bale monkeys are in abundance.
There’s a research centre with a naturalist and ornithologist who spends
the day studying the park’s endemic species, and gives talks to guests
in the evenings. Not far away is the Sanetti Plateau, where endangered
Ethiopian wolves – 300 of the 500 left in the wild – can sometimes be
spotted hunting rodents in the snow.

Awash National Park

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Awash National Park is located 225kilometers, east of Addis Ababa (from where it can be reached in about 3 hours over the highway to Djibouti ) with an area of 756 Square kilometers. It is the oldest and most developed wildlife reserve in Ethiopia. The park is entirely established on the plain of the Rift Valley. With the exception of 600 meter high Mountain Fentale, the park area is predominantly covered with acacia trees and savannah grassland. 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 mainly composed of east African plain animals like greater and lesser kudu, Oryx bush-buck, dik-dik, Cheetah, lion and others. The bird species include secretary birds, Abyssinian ground hornbill, turaco and go away birds. Another interesting feature is the Awash River Gorge that makes up the park’s southern boundary and with a waterfall at its head.

Awash River water falls:– enclosed within the 850 Kilometers square area of the Awash National Park. The falls is an additional value and factor that makes the Awash River the most unique and attractive in Ethiopia. The Honest Awash River, as it is mostly referred to, starts and ends in Ethiopia. The Awash River waters most of the arid parts of the country and finally sinks into the sand. Not far from the Kereyou Lodge, but some steps down in to the river gorge, one comes to a spot least developed but quiet, close and directly in front of the Awash River Falls. The wonderful scenery can keep anybody focused for hours and end. Aqua marine hot spring pool and the Fentale volcano activity.

Wildlife–At all places and all times it is possible to see game: Oryx, Soemmerring’s gazelle and wild pig are common. Slightly less frequent are the furry waterbuck which tend to appear near the river in the late afternoon. The tiny dik-dik, not easy to spot in the speckled shade of the acacia thorn, zebra grazing the plains to the west of Fantale, cheetah, serval and leopard are also there but it is not easy to spot them; baboons, both anubis and hamadryas, kudus, lesser and greater, the giant tortoise, hippo, reedbuck, aardvark and caracal are also represented. Klipspringer inhabit the higher slopes of the mountain and curious hyrax peer at you curiously from behind their rocks. In the bottom of the gorge you can spot the black and white colobus monkey.

Birdlife–Over four hundred species are recorded for the park: (The check list is available at the museum at park Head quarters). They range from the great ostrich, frequently and easily observed, and the less common Secretary Bird and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, to the flashes of brilliant pink which are the Carmine Bee-eaters, and the Abyssinian Roller with turquoise and purple, wings. And between these two extremes, birds of the riverine forest, Coucal, Turaco, Go-away Birds; birds of prey; and birds of the savannah.

Six endemics: Banded Barbet, Golden-Backed Woodpecker, White-Winged Cliff Chat, White-Tailed Starling, Thick-Billed Raven and Wattled Ibis.

Attraction–The park itself is traversed by a series of well-maintained tracks, which take in the most spectacular of the many scenic attractions. –To the north at Filwoha lies the hot springs oasis in its groves of palm trees. It is reached by either one of two scenic tracks which start opposite the main gate on the far side of the road and bearing right, progress either along the floor of the Awash Falls lower Valley or along the top of the ridge. –The Awash river gorge in the south of the park has some spectacular waterfalls near the park headquarters.

Access–Less than three hours’ drive from Addis Ababa, or one and a half from Nazaret is the Awash National park and Game Reserve. The main entrance is at the 190 km. mark and you have already passed the park boundary as you crossed the railway track just before Fantalle Crater, which rises 600 m. from the valley floor on the left. At this point there is a track to the left and it is possible to drive either up to the crater rim or right round the park to the hot springs although the road is such that the prospect will not tempt everyone. It is probably wiser to enter the main gate first and travel comfortably down towards the Awash River which constitutes the southern boundary of the park. Here is park Headquarters, sited near the dramatic Awash falls where the river enters its gigantic gorge.