Safari to Chebera-Churchura

can only really be explored on foot

Set alongside the upper Omo River in the remote southwest of Ethiopia, Chebera-Churchura National Park is a remarkably little-known and little-visited reserve.

Founded as recently as 2005 and covering an impressive 1250 square kilometres, the area is comprised of mountain ranges, surrounding a network of fertile central valleys, filled with rivers, streams and small crater lakes. There are also hot springs, caves and magnificent riverine forests.

The reserve is home to elephants, hippos, Cape buffalos, lions and leopards, as well as over 200 recorded species of birds.

The park does not contain an extensive road network, so remains a truly wild place, which is best explored on foot.

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

The recommended accommodation option is the mobile Chebera Expedition Camp, which we can set out for a private group of up to eight guests, for a minimum of three nights.

can feature in long overland safaris in the deep south