Awash national park
Awash National Park is a symbol of conservation practices in Ethiopia. It is one of the two National Parks first established and among the first that are now on the verge of irreversible loss. Despite all odds, the Park hosts ecological, cultural, archaeological, geological, and economic resource values. The Fentale Mountain and its stratovolcano crater, the Filwuha Hot Spring, Illala Sala Plain, and the Awash River with its gorge and magnificent waterfall are the main ecological units of the park. Fentale Mountain, with its 300-meter crater, is the highest peak in the Ethiopian Rift Valley system. The foothills of the mountain have caves inhabited by Spotted Hyenas, hence literally called ‘Hyenas Caves’. The Hyenas caves are among the attractions of the park.
Wildlife: Beisa Oryx, Waterbuck, Sommering Gazelle, Greater and Lesser Kudu, Lion
Birds: Three species of bustards: Kori, Hartlaub’s and Buff-crested, Secretary Bird, African Goshawks, White-bellied go-away bird, Yellow-throated Serine, African Fish eagle, and different species of starlings, weavers
Why visit this park? In Awash National Park, you can see a waterfall, turquoise-blue pools of natural hot springs, and the dormant Mount Fentale Volcano. Birdlife in the park is exceptional and many Ethiopian endemic birds can be seen.
Why visit this park? In Awash National Park, you can see a waterfall, turquoise-blue pools of natural hot springs, and the dormant Mount Fentale Volcano. Birdlife in the park is exceptional and many Ethiopian endemic birds can be seen.
Park Discription
Awash National Park was the first of two parks to be legally gazetted in Ethiopia following the advice of Petrides (1961) and UNESCO missions. Selection for national park status was justified for the following reasons; Firstly, most of the area under consideration was already protected as a private hunting reserve for his Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie. As a result, the game was abundant in the area; Secondly, it is an extraordinarily interesting area from a physiographic and geological perspective where the Rift Valley fans out. In addition, and from the viewpoint of scenery, wildlife, and its proximity to the capital, Addis Ababa, this reserve would seem eminently suitable as a national park representative of the dry low land type (UNESCO MISSION, 1964). The Park was established as a ‘strict conservation area’, which according to UNESCO excludes all types of consumptive utilization. Early management efforts attempted to adhere to this definition and to follow the management plan that had been prepared following its establishment (Roberson 1970). It was considered the last protected stronghold of the East African oryx, Soemmerring's gazelle, and Grévy's zebra and because of the variety of wildlife, the scenery, and the warm climate, it came to be regarded as the capital’s national park where the city dwellers could enjoy nature and freedom.
- Park areas are open from 6: 00 am – to 6:00 pm.
- Overnight stay is prohibited in any park area except in campsites.
- Fires are permitted only in existing fireplace grills using charcoal. No fire shall be left unattended, and any fire must be completely extinguished before leaving the area.
- Motorized vehicles must always remain on designated roadways and parking areas.
- All trash, litter, or refuse is to be placed in the provided trash receptacles. No dumping allowed.
- Hazardous Activities – It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any activity on any park lands that constitutes a hazard to the safety of self or other persons.
- The use of any fireworks and/or weapons is strictly prohibited.
- It is unlawful to remove, damage, destroy, deface, or otherwise vandalize any park property, structure, sign, or vegetation.
- It is unlawful to hunt, trap, harass, or harm any wild animal, bird, or plant life.
06:00 am – 06:00 pm
The Awash National Park is characterized by a semi-arid ecosystem with annual rainfall between 400 and 700 mm. The rainfall pattern is bimodal with two distinct seasons. The short rainy season occurs during March and April, while the long rainy season occurs during July and September. The annual rainfall ranges from 400 to 700 mm. The mean seasonal temperature ranges from 25˚C to 30˚C. The coolest temperatures prevail from October to January while the warmest temperature prevails during May and June. The maximum and minimum temperature ranges from 40˚C in June to 15.5˚C in January.
Game driving, bird watching, nature walking, camping and others.
The luxurious Kuriftu Resort, and camping grounds in the park, Hotels at Metehara and Awash 7 towns.