Attractions

National Parks

“Ethiopia is A Home of Endemism.”
Ethiopia is one of the most unique landscapes on Earth, with lush forests, snow-capped peaks and arid deserts. As a country with such varied habitats, Ethiopia is home to many species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth, whose endangered status highlights the need for environmental stewardship and a radical re-imagining of how we co-exist with our environment. We tracked down ten of these animals to show just what’s at stake.
Iconic mountains and an impressive array of wildlife.
With UNESCO World Heritage Sites dotted around the signature high central plateau and mountainous geography of Ethiopia, this country is an excellent destination for wildlife enthusiasts, adventure travelers, and tourists alike. The area contains 20 peaks that rise above 4,000 meters, including Ras Dashen in Simien Mountains National Park, which, at over 4,500 meters, is the country’s highest peak and the third highest mountain in Africa.
It’s the only place in the world to see the fascinating Gelada baboon, as well as the endangered Walia ibex and the Ethiopian wolf — the rarest and most endangered canid in the world. Ethiopia has an astonishing range of wildlife; boasting over 22,000 species of butterflies and moths and about 320 species of mammals.
The highlands are the source of four major river systems that spread across Africa and are diagonally bisected by the Great Rift Valley. While the lowlands and Eastern highlands are hot, dry areas, the Western highlands enjoy summer rainfall and are home to the majority of the country’s human population.
 
Endemic & Rare birds of Ethiopia
The bird species of Ethiopia are mix of African, Palearctic and a fantastic number of birds are unique for the region of the Horn of Africa. Birders worldwide are becoming aware of the unique list of endemic & rare Ethiopian birds and the country is becoming one of Africa’s fastest growing birdwatching countries. Of the 860+ species of birds, some 596 are resident species wile 224 species are seasonal migrants, 176 of which are Palearctic migrants. 31 species are of global conservation concern needing special protection measures. In spite of the internet reputation, just 18, 19 or 20 (subject to difference in taxonomic criteria) species are endemic to Ethiopia. Our tours with our in-house conservation wildlife professional is the best way to add as many endemic and rare Ethiopians bird species to your lifetime list.
 
Alatish National Park
Alatish is a newly established national park that is located in Quara woreda of Northern Gondar Zone. It was established in 2006 and derives its name from the Alatish River that has its source in the park and flows in a westerly direction to the Sudan. The park shares its boundaries in the south with Benishangul – Gumuz Regional State, in the west with the Sudan, in the east with Bembaho Kebele, in the northeast with Gelego Kebele and in the north with Mahdid Kebele. 
It covers an area of 266,570 ha composed of lowland woodlands. Landscape at Alatish is flat with elevation ranging from 520 to 920 meter above sea level. There are a few hills in the eastern and north-eastern parts of the area. The twin mountains of Amdog are a special feature in the southwestern corner of the park. The soils of Alatish are composed of sanded gravel. Some sections of the area have bedrocks that impede the infiltration of water into the aquifer. These areas provide suitable habitat for seasonal wetlands, which in turn are productive habitats for birds, fish and other wildlife. 
Agro-ecologically, the park is classified as dry kola with annual rainfall ranging between 500-1500 mm. The boundaries of the park were defined in 1998 but were redefined with the participation of local communities in 2004. The vegetation of the park is classified as Combretum-Terminalia broad-leaved deciduous woodland. Dominant grass species include Cymbopogon spp., Hyperhenia filipendula, Echinochloa sp, Pennisetum spp. There are 26 larger mammals (excluding rodents) and 143 recorded bird species. The ornithology of the area requires more investigation, but estimates based on habitat diversity show that there could by anything between 250-400 species of birds representing various status. Alatish is found in an arid and semi-arid ecological zone. It forms an ecotone between the high mountains of the Simen and the Sahel zone in the Sudan. As a result, the biological attributes of the park are believed to be diverse and rich. Alatish also has a number of historical and cultural assets. Of these, a large Baobab tree at Omedla and the ethnic composition of the area made up of Felata and Gumuz communities are important tourist attractions.
Unique features – This area has recently been set aside as a national park by the Amhara Region. The park is believed to conserve a major proportion of Sahelian and Sudan-Guinea biome birds and other organisms. It serves as a migratory route for Elephants, which traverse from Dinder National Park in the Sudan. As a result, its role is significant in the formation of a transboundary park between Ethiopia and neighboring Sudan. The various rivers that drain into Sudan from Alatish are important tributaries of the Nile.
 
Chebera Churchura national park
is found on the western side of the central Omo Gibe basin, in between the Dawro zone and Konta Special Woreda of the SNNPRS, Ethiopia. The Park is fortunate in possessing numerous rivers and streams and four small creator lakes (Keriballa, Shasho, Koka) which are the reason for the rich wildlife resources of the area. So far, 37 larger mammals and 237 species of birds have been recorded in the different habitats (Highland & Riverine forest and savanna and bush lands) of the park. White-cliff chat, banded-barbet, wattled ibis, black-headed forest Oriole, and thick-billed Raven are endemic birds for the country.
Common mammals include the African elephant, hippopotamus, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard. Currently, CCNP appears to be the least disturbed and reliable ecosystem for the African elephant and Buffalo in the country.
The chebera Churchura national park is one of the best-preserved ecosystems in Ethiopia. The park keeps an important portion of wilderness and biodiversity. Mammals like the African elephant, hippopotamus, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard can be easily spotted.  Currently, Chebera Churchura National Park appears to be the least disturbed and reliable ecosystem for the African elephant and Buffalo in the country.
 
Yabello National Park
A trip to Yabelo National Park is nothing like the experience in zoos, rather it’s a trip that takes the traveler deep into the wildlife in its natural habitat. The park screeches over an area of 2,500 square kilometers. It is home to endemic Swayne‟s Hartebeest, Bush Crow and White-tailed Swallow, Ostrich, and over 210 species of birds. Zebra, Gazelle, and Guenther’s Dik-Dik are quite common. If you want to enjoy an exciting wildlife spotting and catch a good look at the green jungle, then head to Yabelo National Park where you can experience the ultimate escapade.
Things to spot. At least 210 species of birds have been recorded of which 62 are Somali-Masai Biome species. Mammal species include Swayne’s Hartebeest, Burchell’s Zebra, Gerenuk, Grant ’s gazelle and Guenther’s Dik-Dik. Unique features The park affords protection to the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest and is the home of the endemic and vulnerable Ethiopian Bush Crow and White-tailed Swallow are also restricted-range species. Other non-endemic but globally threatened species include the Taita Falcon. With 62 Somali-Masai Biome birds, the site affords protection to 64% of Ethiopia’s Somali-Masai Biome assemblage. Other interesting birds found here include Ostrich, Short-tailed Larck, Pringle’s puff-back, Northern Grey Tit, Abyssinian Grosbeak Canary, Vulturine Guinea Fowl, Somali Sparrow, Black-capped Social Weaver, Donaldson-Smith Nightjar, Star-spotted Nightjar, Grey-headed Social Weaver, and Magpie Starling. The site is good for Burchell’s Zebra and smaller numbers of Grant’s Gazelle and Gerenuk.
 
Geralle National Park
It is primarily established to conserve endangered wildlife species of the country; gerenuk, giraffe, and elephants. The National  Park has an area of  ~1800 km2  and the altitude in the area ranges from 800  to 1380  m  a.s.l.  GNP consists of four major vegetation types:  grassland,  savanna land, bushland, and mountainous rocky areas with sparse vegetation.  It is bordered by the Dawa River in the north and east and by the Kenyan border in the south.  So far,  about  36 mammal species and 230  bird species have been recorded from the park Almost 25 percent of the countries endemic birds are inhibited in the area.
Wildlife: Elephant, Gerenuk, Greater, and Lesser Kudu, Beisa Oryx, Grant Gazelle.
Birds: White-tailed Swallow, White-winged Dove, Juba Weaver, Black-fronted francolin.
Originally created to conserve rare animals like Giraffe and elephants, this park is also known for great birdlife. The park consists of grasslands, woodlands, open shrublands, and exposed soils. Located far from Addis and with a low human density, this park is truly secluded.

Yangudi-Rassa National Park
 is in the center of the Afar Region (in the northern section of the Rift Valley) between the towns of Gewani and Mille, and 500 km from Addis Ababa. Yangudi mountain lies on its south-eastern boundary and is surrounded by the Rassa plains. Habitats include riverine forests along the Awash river, marshes and small lakes, dry riverbeds, rocky hills, sandy semi-desert, and wooded grasslands. The sandy semi-desert and wooded grassland make up the largest portion of the park. The two main ethnic groups inhabiting this area are the Afars and the Issas. Ethnic feuds have been frequenting between them, but most of the park happens to be in an area where they avoid each other.
More than 230 species have been recorded in this area. Being situated on an important migration flyway, many migratory species have been found including Falco naumanni and Circus macrourus, both of which are recorded regularly on migration and during the winter. Other species of interest include Phoenicopterus minor, Petronia brachydactyla and Ardeotis arabs. The park supports an important population of Equus Africanus (CR) and at least 35 other species of mammal.

Simien Mountains National Park
Ethiopia’s premier trekking and walking destination, the 412km2 Simien Mountains National Park was inscribed as a Natural World Heritage Site in 1979, whereupon UNESCO lauded it as “one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, with jagged mountain peaks deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500m”. In addition to the splendid scenery and hiking opportunities, the Afromontane meadows and moorlands of the upper Simiens also form one of Ethiopia’s most important biodiversity hotspots, populated by an alluring wealth of endemic plants and animals including Walia ibex, gelada baboon, and Ethiopian wolf.
The bedrock of the Simien Mountains comprises a vast and ancient basaltic dome moulded into a series of jagged pinnacles and buttresses by glacial activity and precipitation. More than a dozen of its peaks top the 4,000m mark, including the 4,533m Ras Dejen, which is Ethiopia’s tallest mountain.
The Afromontane vegetation of the Simien Mountains includes more than 1,200 plant species, of which three are endemic to the national park. Above 3,700m, the dominant vegetation type is open grassland punctuated by spectacular giant lobelias that stand up to 10m high. Giant heather trees and other ericaceous plants are the main vegetation type between the 3,000m and 3,700m contour.
Simien protects an alluring selection of endemic wildlife. It is the last remaining stronghold of the impressively horned Walia ibex, the only goat indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. Large troops of gelada baboon are rendered unmistakable by the male’s flowing lion-like mane and heart-shaped red chest patch. A population of around 50 Ethiopian wolves is the world’s second largest after Bale Mountains National Park. Other large mammals include Anubis baboon, Hamadryas baboon, grivet monkey, Menelik’s bushbuck, klipspringer, common jackal, spotted hyena, and leopard.
Simien Mountains National Park is one of northern Ethiopia’s key birding sites, with a checklist of 180 species that includes five Ethiopian endemics and 12 near-endemics. However, many would say the true avian star of the Simien is the magnificent lammergeyer, a cliff-loving vulture with a 2-meter wingspan and the only bird in the world with a specialized diet of bone marrow. The best way to explore the Simien Mountains is on foot or mule back Several overnight options are available. The 3-day trial connecting Sankaber, Gich, Imet Gogo, and Ayna Meda is recommended to those whose main interest is endemic wildlife. For peak-baggers, the ascent to the summit of Ras Dejen could be undertaken as a 3-day hike from Chennek. For those with limited time, it is possible to drive east from Debark to Chennek along an all-weather road and to exit the car for short walks.
 
Bale Mountains National Park
Ethiopia’s most important biodiversity hotspot, Bale Mountains National Park supports a rich mosaic of high-altitude habitats including lush evergreen forest, stands of giant bamboo, pastel-shaded moorland, and sheltered river valleys swathed in fragrant juniper-hagenia woodland. Nominated as a tentative UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 2009, the park is the most important stronghold to three endemic large mammal species – the charismatic Ethiopian wolf, handsome mountain nyala, and delightful Bale monkey – while its incredible avifauna is reflected by the African Birding Club having listed it as one of the continent’s top five birding hotspots.
Bale’s high-altitude centerpiece is the Sanetti Plateau, a vast lava plateau interspersed with several 4,200-plus meter volcanic cones.
Sanetti is the world’s most extensive Afro-Alpine moorland, comprising tussocks of heather interspersed with icy tarns and ethereal giant lobelias. The northern slopes below Sanetti support a mix of juniper-hagenia woodland and Afromontane grassland, while the southern slopes are layered with altitudinal bands of Erica, bamboo, and Afromontane forest
What to See?
Bale’s 1,300-plus plant species include 160 Ethiopian endemics and 23 unique to the park.
Bale is the main global stronghold for the endangered Ethiopian wolf, a handsome red-and-white canid often seen trotting through the heather of the Sanetti Plateau, where it feeds on rodents such as the endemic giant mole-rat.
Bale is the last main stronghold for the endangered mountain nyala, a large spiral-horned antelope most often seen on the short walking trail that runs through the juniper-hagenia forest around the park headquarters at Dinsho. Other mammals often encountered at Dinsho include warthog, Bohor reedbuck, and Menelik’s bushbuck.
The Harenna Forest south of Sanetti supports the park’s richest variety of large mammals, these include the remarkable giant forest hog (the world’s largest swine) and the very localized Bale monkey, a vulnerable endemic whose tiny range is attributable to its specialized diet of bamboo.
Bale stands out as the best place in Ethiopia to see endemic birds. Six national endemics are present, alongside another 11 species shared only with Eritrea, and several others unique to the Horn of Africa. Juniper-hagenia forest around Dinsho hosts woodland species such as white-cheeked turaco, yellow-fronted parrot, black-winged lovebird, and Abyssinian catbird, while high-altitude specialties on Sanetti include Rouget’s rail, chestnut-naped francolin, Spot-breasted plover, and alpine chat.
Bale supports the only known sub-Saharan breeding populations of a golden eagle, ruddy shelduck, and red-billed chough, underscoring the Palaearctic affiliations of Ethiopia’s wildlife.
Bale is a superb destination for hiking and mule-back treks. A good starting point for walkers is the undemanding trail around Dinsho, or the half-day Bamboo and Waterfall Trail in the Harenna Forest. Longer trails out of Dinsho, mostly above the 3,000m contour, take from two to eleven days.
Bale is surprisingly easy to explore by vehicle, with all-weather roads offering access to most of its more alluring habitats – indeed all-weather road across the Sanetti Plateau to the 4,377m peak of Mount Tulu Dimtu is the highest in Africa.
 
Kafta Shiraro National Park
One of the country’s Elephant destinations which situated at the northern tip of the country bordered by Eritrea and the Tekeze River channel. The Kafta Shiraro National Park is decorated with arid land plant species, riverine forest, and savanna grassland and palm trees.
Wildlife: Elephant, Red-fronted Gazelle, Greater Kudu, Roan Antelope, and Water back.
Birds: Meyer’s (Brown) Parrot, Abyssinian Roller, Demoiselle Crane, Egyptian Plover, different species of Sand grouse birds

Babile Elephant Sanctuary
Extending over almost 7,000 square kilometers to the southeast of Harar, Babile Elephant Sanctuary is a vast and spectacular reserve comprising wide gorges flanked by open plains, rocky outcrops, meandering river beds, and, in the south and the east, a drier almost-desert like landscape. Babile is home to Africa’s most north-easterly population of elephants, which some authorities assign to a unique race Loxodonta africana orleansi, endemic to the Horn of Africa. The sanctuary also provides refuge to thin populations of the localized black-maned Abyssinian lion and greyhound-like cheetah, along with various antelope (including greater and lesser kudu), the hamadryas baboon, and a spectacular selection of dry-country birds, including the endemic Salvadori’s serin. An estimated 200 elephants inhabit Babile, moving seasonally between the Erer and Gobelle river valleys, but also sometimes venturing outside the sanctuary to the western ridge of the Gobelle Valley. The best time of year to visit is the late rainy season (June to September) when the elephants usually congregate in the Upper Erer Valley about 40km from Harar.
This is one of the best spots in Ethiopia to watch the endangered black elephant.

Nechisar National Park, Lake Abaya
Considered more as a point of departure for the southern extremities of Ethiopia, including the Omo Valley, the city of Arba Minch’s is full of natural wonder and beauty. The city which nestled on the shores of Abaya Lake got its name from the numerous springs that feed a groundwater forest, and the Kulfo River, which drains into Lake Chamo. The area is rich in many tiny springs that bubble up from the ground. You can see many of them as you hike through Nechisar National Park. Abra Minch sits on the edge of Nech Sar National Park, which houses Lake Chamo and Abaya, the second biggest by surface area in Ethiopia, as well as beautiful mountain landscapes and forests, including God’s Bridge, a mountainous area of dense acacia scrub separating the two lakes.
There are myriad of products and spots that you can see in Arbaminch Separated from Lake Chomo by the “Bridge of God,” an isthmus covered by Nechisar National Park, Lake Abaya is Ethiopia’s second-largest lake. The isthmus is a popular spot for wildlife viewing.
The crocodile which enjoys a sunbath on the shore of Lake chamo is a joy to see.
The plethora of birds within Nechsar national park is the perfect spot for bird watchers.
The crocodile ranching farm is also one of the places of interest in Arbaminch.
Arbaminch and its surrounding is also the granary of Ethiopian banana production. Check out the banana farm during your stay.

Awash National Park
Awash N.P found in 200 k.m from Addis Ababa.The park is Legally gazzeted in 1966 it is situated in acacia savanna. Mount Fentale a Dormant Volcano 2007 m high found in Awash.The filwoha hot springs which feeds aseries of beautiful translucent blue pools, are situated in a grove of talldoum palms on the northern boundary of the park.
In the park 80 different sp. of mammals have been recorded & 400 different sp. of birds have been recorded.The most visible mammal Biesa Oryx,Sommering Gazzele&Salts Dikdik predators like lion,leopard,chettah,Spotted&Stripped Hyena.Awash river surrounded the park famous for hippos&Crocodiles,to take aphoto shot here is wonderful.

Maze National Park
Maze National Park is a recently established National Park in the Region. The park derives it name after Maze River that traverses through its length. It was established in 2003 after several surveys and studies were carried out. Prior to 2003, Maze served as a hunting area for Swayne‟s Hartebeest and Buffalo. It is a small park with an area of 2,020 ha and located 473 and 248 kms from Addis Ababa and Awassa respectively. Altitude ranges from 1000 to 1200 meter above sea level. The rainy season extends from March to September and rain is estimated to be between 800 to 1600 mm per annum. While the area has 38 species of mammals, major wildlife includes Swayne‟s Hartebeest and Buffalo. To date, 138 bird species have been recorded for Maze.
Unique features – Maze is one of the last remaining sites for the conservation of the Swayne‟s Hartebeest. It is arguably the second most important site for the Swayne‟s Hartebeest after Senkelle Hartebeest Sanctuary. Recent wildlife counts have revealed there could be up to 300 Hartebeests at Maze. Besides wildlife the site has unique land features. Mt Gughe, which rises to 4200 meter above sea level is found on the boundary of the park. Bilbo hot springs, found in the Park‟s southern parts, have geysers that spout steam into the air. The Wonja caves are an added attraction to the site. 
 
Omo National Park
The Omo National Park – one of the Ethiopia’s largest and richest nature sanctuary and yet one of the least visited areas in East and Central Africa. Located on the west bank of the Omo River, the park covers approximately 4,068 square kilometers, about 870 kilometers southwest of Addis Ababa. The Mago National Park, is located on the eastern bank of the Omo river. Although an airstrip was recently built near the park headquarters on the Mui River, this park is not easily reachable
Both parks can offer incredible spectacles of big game. Both have the merit, also, of being far from the beaten track and virtually unexplored, and thus are places in which game can be seen in a truly natural state.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. OMO NATIONAL PARKThe 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.
Although adjoining Mago, the large and beautiful Omo National Park has been hardly visited in the last two decades, as getting there has been so difficult. The only access to the park is via Omo Rate, by ferry to the west bank of the Omo River, and north to the border settlement of Kibish, where an unmaintained seventy-five-kilometre (46-mile) track leads to the Omo Park headquarters. However, the long-neglected route from Mui River up to Maji, tenuously linked to the town of Jimma, is being worked on. When this road is passable, a drive from Jimma – besides being extremely interesting in itself – will bestow the reward of visiting this truly wild and untamed area. There is virtually no tourist infrastructure within the park and little support for travelers.
The Omo and Mago parks are extensive wilderness areas and wildlife can be prolific: large herds of eland and buffalo, elephant, giraffe, cheetah, lion, leopard, and Burchell’s zebra. Lesser kudu, lelwel hartebeest, topi, and oryx are all resident species, as well as deBrazza’s and colobus monkeys and Anubis baboon. The 306 bird species recorded include many that will be familiar to East African visitors.
The lower reaches of the Omo river were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, after the discovery (in the Omo Kibish Formation) of the earliest known fossil fragments of Homo sapiens, which have been dated circa 195,000 years old
 
Gambella National Park
Gambella National park is located 850 km west of Addis Ababa. 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 ts 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. With its total area of approximately 50,600 hectars, it is the largest protected area in the country. Its northern boundary is formed by the Baro River. To the south of the park isthe 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.

Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park
 Situated in the Great Rift Valley, only 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Addis Ababa, and in the Lake Langano recreational areas, the Abijatta Shalla lakes National Park attracts numerous visitors. Using Lake Langano as your base, it is an easy trip to visit the National Park, which is 887 square kilometers in size, 482 of these being water.
The altitude of the park ranges from 1540 to 2075 meters, the highest peak being mount Fike, situated between the two lakes. The network of tracks in this park is always developing. At present you can enter at four different points, three of which are interconnected. Approaching from Addis you first reach the Horakello entrance, where the small Horakello stream flows between lakes Langano and Abijatta.
It was created primarily for its aquatic bird life, particularly those that feed and breed on lakes Abijatta and Shalla in Large numbers. The park compresses the two lakes, the isthmus between them and a thin strip of land along the shorelines of each. Developments have been limited to a number of tracks on land, and the construction of seven outposts. While attention is focused on the water birds, the land area does contain a reasonable amount of other wildlife.
Abijatta and Shalla are both terminal lakes but very different in nature. The surrounding area is mainly acacia woodland, some of which is very degraded by man. Lake Abijatta is a shallow pan, only fourteen metres (46 feet) deep, and its level fluctuates periodically, caused in part by human activity but often by natural phenomena as yet not fully understood. The beaches are unstable and saline, and vehicles must not venture too close as there is a very real danger of sinking.
Lake Shalla, by contrast, is, at 260 metres (853 feet), Ethiopia’s deepest Rift Valley lake, possibly the deepest lake in Africa north of the Equator. It is an exceptionally beautiful and still largely un¬touched stretch of water, with several hot springs that bubble up by the shore and flow into the lake.
The sides are steep and rocky — often right down to the shore. Although swimming is considered safe, it may feel strange: the water’s colour is like cold tea and there is a high concentration of salts, making it feel soapy. Few fish are found in this lake.
The park was created for the many aquatic bird species that use the lakes, particularly great white pelicans and greater and lesser flamingo. Shalla’s islands are used as breeding sites by many birds, and is home to the continent’s most important breeding colony of great white pelicans. Because of the lake’s lack of fish, the birds fly to Lake Abijatta — which has no islands — to feed. Other birds include white-necked cormorant, African fish eagle, Egyptian geese, various plover species, and herons. Although renowned for its bird life, Abijatta is now outclassed by Lake Awasa farther to the south.
Local mammals are not numerous but include Grant’s gazelle — the northern limit for this species — greater kudu, oribi, warthog, and golden jackal.
Unique feature:
It has one of the highest wetland bird diversity in Ethiopia It is home to 144 water bird species, which is in effect 70.6% of the total wetland bird species for the country. It is the most important breeding location for the Great White PelicanIt is known to be the best site in the country to find high number of Lesser FlamingosActs as a staging ground for thousands of migrating waders and ducks during the palaearctic migration period.Shalla is one of the deepest lakes in Africa and is reputedly one of the widest calderas on the continent.