The relief of Ethiopia is quite diverse, it is represented in the form of high mountains and arid deserts, dense forests and picturesque rivers with waterfalls. To get acquainted with the local nature it is possible in the National parks, in the territory of which unique wild animals dwell and all kinds of plants grow, many of them are endemic.
The relief of Ethiopia is quite diverse, it is represented in the form of high mountains and arid deserts, dense forests and picturesque rivers with waterfalls. To get acquainted with the local nature it is possible in the National parks, in the territory of which unique wild animals dwell and all kinds of plants grow, many of them are endemic.
Best Ethiopian National Parks
There are several nature reserves in the country. Some of them are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, others are archaeological sites. The most famous National Parks in Ethiopia are:
- Nechisar National Park - is located in the south-west of the country at an altitude of 1108 to 1650 m above sea level. The total area of the national park is 514 square meters. km, while about 15% of the territory is occupied by the Chamo and Abai lakes, which have significant water resources. Beside them nest a variety of birds, for example, pelicans, flamingos, storks, kingfishers, steppe kestrels, harriers and other birds. Of the animals in Nechisar there are Grant's ghazals, burchell's zebras, baboons, shrubby pigs, jackal jackals, swords, anubis baboons, crocodiles and bushboks. Previously, there lived hyena dogs, but now they are completely destroyed. In the protected zone grow legumes (Sesbania sesban and Aeschynomene elaphroxylon), Nile acacia, balanitis hepatite and narrow-leaved cattail.
- Bale Mountains National Park - the park is located in the central part of Ethiopia, Oromia region. The highest point is at an altitude of 4,307 m and is called the Batu Range. The National Park was established in 1970 and covers an area of 2220 square meters. km, the landscape of which is represented in the form of volcanic formations, rivers, alpine meadows, numerous plateaus and mountain peaks. Types and types of plants vary with height. In the protected area there are impassable tropical forests, thick groves of bushes and plains overgrown with succulent grasses. From animals, tourists can see jackals, Nyalov, Ethiopian wolves, antelopes, kolubusov and Semen foxes, as well as 160 species of birds. Tourists will be able to ride here on horseback, conquer local peaks or take a walk on specially designed routes.
- Awash (National Park Awasa) - is located in the center of Ethiopia in the basin of the Avash and Lady rivers, which form stunning waterfalls. The National Park was opened in 1966 and covers an area of 756 sq. Km. km. Its territory is covered with grassy savannah with acacia groves and is divided into two parts by the Dire Dawa - Addis Ababa motorway: the plain of Illala-Saha and the Kidu valley, which has hot springs and palm oases. There are 350 species of birds in the protected area and there are such mammals as kudu, Somali gazelle, East African oryx and dikdiki. Here, the jaw of an ancient man was discovered, which was a transitional form between australopithecines and humans (Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis). The discovery is more than 2.8 million years old.
- Simien Mountains National Park - is located in the Amhara region in northern Ethiopia. It was established in 1969 and covers an area of 22,500 hectares. In the national park is the highest point of the country, which is called Ras Dashen and is located at an altitude of 4620 m above sea level. The landscape is represented in the form of mountain deserts, savannas, semi-deserts and Afro-Alpine vegetation with a tree-like heather. From mammals here there are leopards, jackals, gelad monkeys, leopards, serval and Abyssinian mountain goat. You can also see a variety of birds of prey.
- Lake Tana (Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve) is a biosphere reserve created to protect a unique ecosystem and protect the country's cultural heritage. In 2015, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The lake is located at an altitude of 1830 m in the north-western part of Ethiopia and covers an area of 695,885 hectares. 50 rivers flow into the reservoir, the most famous of them is the Upper Blue Nile . On the lake there are small islets, on which grow medicinal and endemic plants, as well as a variety of shrubs and trees. From the birds here you can see pelicans, bearded and black cranes, long-winged parrots and eagles-screamers, and from animals there are hippopotami, spotted hygiene, antelope, porcupine, colobus and cat genetta. On the coastline inhabited hieroglyphic pythons, considered the largest on the continent.
- Abidjatta-Shalla National Park - its name was given to the national park because of two rivers of the same name, in the valley of which it is located. The reserve zone was declared in 1974, the total area is 514 square meters. km. This area is known for hot springs with mineral water and picturesque surroundings, where acacia grows. Here live various species of antelope, monkeys, hyenas, pelicans, ostriches and pink flamingos. At present, most of the Abidzhat Shala is captured by Ethiopian nomads, they graze cattle on the nature conservation land.
- Mago (National Park) - this area is famous for the fact that it has a dangerous fly that is a carrier of sleeping sickness, and the most aggressive of the tribes of Ethiopia , called Mursi . It has more than 6 thousand people who are engaged in the production of honey, cattle breeding and farming. Moving through the park can only be in a closed jeep, accompanied by armed scouts. The natural world of Mago is traditional for Africa, the landscape is represented by rivers and mountains. Here live zebras, giraffes, antelopes, rhinoceroses and crocodiles.
- Gambella (Gambella National Park) - one of the most interesting national parks of Ethiopia. It was founded in 1973 and covers an area of 5,061 square kilometers. km, which is covered with shrub groves, forest, marshes and wet meadows. Here there are 69 species of mammals: buffaloes, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, hyenas, leopards, elephants, hippos, monkeys and other African animals. Also in Gambel, there are 327 species of birds (green bee-eaters, long-tailed paradise haidai, stork-marabou), reptiles and fish. In the protected area grows 493 species of plants, but they are constantly destroyed by local residents. In this land, Aboriginal people grow crops, graze livestock and hunt wild animals.
- Omo (Omo National Park) - is located in the southern part of the country in the vicinity of the river of the same name and is considered a visiting card of the prehistoric period of Ethiopia. In this area, archaeologists have discovered the most ancient fossil remains of Homo sapiens on the planet. Their age exceeds 195 thousand years. The National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From animals in Omo there are elephants, cheetahs, buffaloes, antelopes and giraffes. Also here live representatives of the nationalities of Suri, Mursi, Dizi, Meen and Nyangaton.
- Yangudi Rassa National Park - occupies an area of 4730 square meters. km and is located in the north-east of the country. On the territory of the National Park there are 2 warring tribes: Issa and Afars. The administration of the institution is constantly working on conflict management. Here there are 36 species of mammals and 200 species of birds.