Safari to Awash

interesting volcanic scenery

Situated at the northeastern mouth of the Abyssinian Rift Valley, Awash National Park extends over 756 square kilometres of acacia woodland and open savanna grasslands.

Features include the dormant volcano Fantale, the gorge of the Awash River, with a string of waterfalls, plus hot springs in a palm grove at Filwoha in the upper Kudu Valley.

The range of wildlife reflects the arid landscapes, with Beisa oryx, greater kudus, lesser kudus, Soemmerring gazelles, Swayne’s hartebeest, Salt’s dik-diks, reedbucks, klipspringers, Defassa waterbucks, Anubis baboons, hamadrya baboons, colobus monkeys, crocodiles and hippos. Rarely seen predators include lions, leopards, servals, caracals and African wild-cats.

Unfortunately the main Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa highway passes through the middle, separating the Illala Saha Plains to the south from the remainder of the reserve.

In common with most wildlife areas in Ethiopia, the animals here were heavily poached during the 1990s and the land has also been encroached upon by pastoralists.

The resulting lack of true wilderness feel, combined with a dearth of higher quality accommodation options means that Awash National Park unfortunately only tends to feature in lower quality trips.

This area is usually visited as part of a private-guided overland safari, starting in Addis Ababa and exploring the southern parts of the country, including any or all of Awash, Aledeghi, Harar, the Bale Mountains and the Southern Omo Valley, over the course of one or two weeks.

Where to stay

Accommodation is in the rather mainstream Awash Falls Lodge.

an optional stop on an overland safari