Nech Sar National Park
Nech-Sar National Park where the coloration of southern Ethiopia comes into view situated within an area of 5142 km. inhabited with abundant biomass. The red-brown Abaya and the sky-like blue Chamo Lakes are the second and third-largest Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes that are found in the southern escarpment of the park.
Why visit this park? Named after the creamy white grass that covers the central plains of the park, NechSar National Park also consists of grasslands, savannahs, mountains, and hills. Major attractions include the “Crocodile Market” located on the shores of Lake Chamo, the groundwater forest – the only one in Eastern Africa, and hot springs.
The diversity of habitats within the park provides the birder with splendid opportunities to see a vast array of Ethiopia’s spectacular avifauna, in the case of Nech Sar National Park, 273 species, which is about 31% of the country’s avifauna! Of these, 21 are endemic to north-east Africa with the thick-billed raven only occurring within Ethiopia, and the Nech Sar nightjar only known to occur within the park. Over 72 species of mammals including the large mammal's lion, zebra, and gazelle and the forest is home to the park’s primates including the Anubis baboon, grivet, vervet monkeys, and the beautiful black and white Mantled Guereza.
Park Discription
Sample sample Biodiversity
Created in 1974 covering a total area of 514 km2 in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s and Oromia regional states about 502 km from Addis Ababa.
- 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 climatic regime of the area can be divided into 2 dry seasons and 2 wet seasons. The park is located within the monsoon region with the Indian Ocean winds bringing the main rains during March – May and the Atlantic Ocean winds bringing more during the September –November wet season. At a local level, the park lies within the rain shadows caused by the surrounding highlands, with the result that despite being only 6° north of the equator, the average annual rainfall is a relatively low 900mm. There is, however, a degree of variability in both the seasonality and quantity of rainfall. The average maximum temperature is 30° C while the average minimum is 17° C. January to March is the hottest time of the year, while November and December are usually the coolest.
Game view, bird watching, nature walk, camping and others.
Camping sites are available in the park also there are standard lodges and hotels in Arba Minch Town