Top Ethiopia National Parks, Safari Regions & Wildlife
The Bale Mountains National Park

Situated 400 km southeast of Addis Ababa, the Bale Mountains National Park stands out as the premier safari destination in Ethiopia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bale Mountains National Park presents an extraordinary and diverse experience with 5 distinct ecological zones, breathtaking landscapes, rare and endemic wildlife, and an abundance of bird species.

Soaring to over 4000m (13,123 ft), the Sanetti Plateau stands as the highest mountainous region in southern Ethiopia, inviting exploration and discovery. The afro-alpine moorlands are teeming with a variety of rodents, including the unique giant mole rat, which serves as the preferred prey for the Ethiopian wolf, the rarest canid on the planet. The other distinct zones include the Gaysay Grasslands, a flat expanse ruled by swamp grasses and sedges; the Juniper Woodlands, home to Africa’s only native rose; the Erica Belt, a captivating blend of moorlands and forests that creates a magical landscape adorned with giant heather draped in lichen and dripping moss; and the Harenna Forest. The Harenna Forest stands as the most expansive region within Bale Mountains National Park, making it the second largest forest in Ethiopia and the largest cloud forest in the nation. The cloud forest is accompanied by a bamboo belt and a drier mountain forest in the lower reaches, featuring towering trees and a thick canopy that invites exploration.

The park is teeming with animals and birds, while the Bale Mountains proudly showcase 20 unique species that can not be found anywhere else on the planet. Although the Sanetti Plateau is the prime location for spotting endemic Ethiopian wolves, giant mole rats, and mountain Nyala, the surrounding park offers a wealth of sights to explore. Menelik’s bushbuck and Bale monkey, along with colobus monkeys, olive baboons, grey duiker, Bohor reebuck, serval, spotted hyena, and golden jackal are all present in this vibrant ecosystem. In a fascinating twist, the Bale mountains stand out as the sole region where both male and female klipspringers boast horns!

Bale Mountains National Park,

recognized by the African Bird Club as one of the top birding spots in Africa, is home to an astonishing variety of 310 bird species, along with 170 migratory birds that grace its landscapes. Famed for being a haven for highland Abyssinian and Ethiopian endemics, the Bale Mountains are home to a vibrant array of birdlife. This is Ethiopia’s top spot for witnessing remarkable species such as the wattled crane, moorland, and chestnut-naped francolins, along with the spot-breasted plover.

The Bale Mountains, teeming with rodents, provide an essential sanctuary for a diverse array of raptors. Here, you can find resident, wintering, and migrating species such as augur buzzards, Verreaux’s eagles, tawny eagles, steppe eagles, lanner falcons, kestrels, and bearded vultures, all thriving in this vibrant ecosystem. Whether you are an experienced birdwatcher or just starting out, Bale presents an extraordinary chance to encounter unique and native birds against its stunning scenery.

The sole drawback of an Ethiopia safari to the Bale Mountains National Park is the limited availability of accommodation. Guests can find budget-friendly hotels in the nearby Goba or Dinsho, offering a unique experience. For those with the means, the Bale Mountain Lodge stands out as the premier place to stay in the park and is regarded as one of the finest lodges in Ethiopia, making it a worthwhile investment.

The Bale Mountains National Park, brimming with ecological diversity and a plethora of endemic species, deserves a top spot on every travel enthusiast’s Ethiopian itinerary. This park is an absolute must-see.

Awash National Park

Situated approximately 220 km / 137 miles east of Addis Ababa, Awash National Park derives its name from the Awash River. The park spans approximately 850 km² / 328 sq miles in the Rift Valley, featuring a diverse landscape of arid acacia woodlands, thorny bushland, savannah, and lush riverine wetlands.

Awash boasts a variety of remarkable landmarks waiting to be explored. The Awash Falls cascade dramatically into the depths of the Awash Gorge, while the towering and majestic Mount Fentale, a dormant volcano that last erupted around 200 years ago, stands watch over the landscape. Nearby, the Filwoha Hot Springs attract both wildlife and visitors alike, creating a vibrant scene of natural wonder.

Established to protect the beisa oryx, salt’s dik-dik, soemmerring’s gazelle, and Hamadryas baboons, the park’s large mammal population has unfortunately diminished. This location offers a fantastic opportunity to encounter Beisa oryx, hamadryas, Olive baboons, vervet, and guereza monkeys. The true highlight of an Ethiopia safari in Awash is the incredible variety of over 450 bird species that inhabit the park.

Awash National Park is home to remarkable bird species such as the Sombre Rock Chat, Abyssinian roller, Lesser kestrel, and Eastern Imperial Eagle. Among the savannah birds, you will find the reintroduced Somali ostrich, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, golden-breasted starling, and red-and-yellow barbet, along with Ethiopian specialties like the Yellow-throated Seedeater.

Mago National Park is a place brimming with excitement and exploration.

Where shall we go next? Mago National Park lies approximately 527 km southwest of Addis Ababa, near the Kenyan border, and around 40 km / 25 miles from Jinka, the entrance to the Omo Valley.

Mago National Park spans an impressive 2162 km² / 835 mi², characterized by the majestic Mago Mountains and the winding Mago River. A tributary of the Omo River converges with the two rivers in the park, creating an expansive swamp land. Mago National Park boasts a diverse landscape of open savannah, acacia woodland, scrubland, and riverine forest, inviting exploration and discovery at every turn.

Mago National Park boasts an exciting array of 74 mammals, featuring majestic lions, towering elephants, elusive leopards, striking Beisa oryx, playful hippos, formidable Cape Buffalo, swift cheetahs, graceful giraffes, vibrant zebras, and cunning hyenas. Sadly, the thrill of encountering wildlife has been diminished by poaching, making large game elusive and difficult to find.

The park boasts an impressive array of bird species and stands out as one of the top locations for observing grassland and acacia birdlife. Keep an eye out for the elusive Dusky babbler, the vibrant violet hoopoe, the striking black-rumped waxbill, the intriguing Egyptian plover, and the charming snowy-crowned robin-chat.

The primary draw for visitors to Mago National Park is, without a doubt, the Mursi people. Among the more intriguing tribes of the Omo Valley, the Mursi stand out for their intricate body art, striking fashion choices, and the decorative lip plates adorned by the women of the tribe.

Chebera-Chuchura National Park

Chebera-Chuchura National Park is situated approximately 450 km / 280 miles to the southwest of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The park spans an impressive 1215 km², showcasing a rich tapestry of habitats and landscapes, teeming with rivers, streams, and four stunning crater lakes.

The Chebera-Chuchura boasts altitudes varying from 700 to 2450 meters above sea level, creating a landscape that is both diverse and uneven. The centerpiece is the Meka Forest, an expansive jungle interwoven with trails that evoke the spirit of trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Beyond the dense jungle, the park reveals rolling plains interspersed with winding rivers and streams, deep valleys, and dramatic gorges. The park offers a delightful journey of exploration with its numerous hot springs and crater lakes, making every hike an exciting experience.

The creatures in Chebera-Chuchura are elusive, and observing wildlife requires effort, as it must be undertaken on foot alongside a local ranger. This, however, is one of the primary attractions of an Ethiopia safari to Chebera-Chuchura Park. Encounter a variety of wildlife such as kudus, defassa waterbuck, giant forest hogs, vervet, colobus, Grivet, and Guereza monkeys, along with buffaloes and elephants. The park boasts a vibrant array of birdlife, featuring white-cliff chats, banded barbets, kingfishers, forest orioles, and snowy-headed robin chats.

Exploring the forest in pursuit of Ethiopia’s elephants amidst the thick jungle is exhilarating.