Awash National Park, a wonder in the heart of Ethiopia
In central Ethiopia, stretch over nearly 591 km2, is the Awash National Park. Created in 1966, it marks the birth of environmental thinking in Ethiopia and helps protect a unique region, home to exceptional biodiversity. Many species of herbivorous mammals and birds coexist in these vast dry meadows, lush green savannas and volcanic landscapes, nature lovers are here in paradise.
Awash waterfalls
Where is Awash National Park located?
This park is located between Oromia and Afar regions, 215 km from the country's capital, Addis Ababa. To the south, meanders the Awash River, which originates in the Ethiopian highlands. This is punctuated by spectacular waterfalls, visible in the park. Like all of Ethiopia, the region is subject to a bimodal rainfall pattern: a rainy season, followed by a dominant dry season, which can last up to 10 months. Within the park, the variations in altitude, from 700 to 2000 m, offer an exceptional variety of landscapes; from the plains of Ilala Sala, to the hot springs of Filhoua, passing by the falls and canyon of Awash or the Fantale volcano (2007 m). These different environments, promoting high biodiversity, make this park a mythical destination for ornithologists, primatologists and archaeologists (remember that East Africa is the cradle of humanity) in search of escape.
What makes Awash National Park unique?
The many mammals of the National Park
Awash National Park is home to more than 81 species of mammals, including Ethiopia's largest protected population of Beisa Oryx. It is possible to come across other charismatic mammals such as the tiny Salt's Dik-Dik, the Grivet Monkey or the Lesser Kudu. Several vulnerable species are also visible, such as the Soemmerring's Gazelle, the lion, but also the Spotted-necked Otter.
Beisa Oryx in the dry savannahs dotted with acacia trees
Female Lesser Kudu
Salt's Dik-Dik
Grivet Monkey
An exceptional diversity of birds
Regarding the avifauna, this is an major importance area, with nearly 453 species (including 6 endemic) recorded in the park! From the Kori Bustard, inhabitant of the dry savannas, to the Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill, which frequents thorny shrubs, through the flamboyant Little Bee-eater and Abyssinian Roller, the diversity of birds is incredible.
Kori Bustard
Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Abyssinian Roller
Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Other species and riches of Awash National Park
Several species of reptiles (43 species contacted) and amphibians and an unknown number of invertebrate species are also found in the park, an exceptional place for seasoned naturalists! In recent years, the park has enjoyed real popularity, visitors come mainly to discover the cultural diversity of local communities (Kereyu, Itu and Afar), the richness of flora and fauna, spectacular landscapes and archaeological sites.
Nile crocodiles spotted not far from Awash River waterfalls
What are the particular ecosystem features of the park?
Characterized by a semi-arid climate, Awash National Park is made up of grasslands, savannas and shrubs. The predominant vegetation type is the Acacia-Commiphora forest, consisting of shrub plants, tolerant to drought. This ecosystem, subjected to strong anthropogenic pressures in other parts of the Rift Valley, is relatively well preserved in the park. The main threats are the extraction of firewood and charcoal for the country's major cities and overgrazing, which reinforce erosion and weaken this environment.
Conservation efforts
Awash National Park currently faces major threats due to increasing pressure from local communities in search of resources. The conservation of biodiversity remains a subject of tension when populations seek to increase agricultural land in a country where population growth is reaching its peak. The boundaries of the park are often crossed by local people (Afar and Kereyu-Itu) in search of extensive pastures for their cattle. These permanent pressures irreparably lead to a degradation of the quality of the environment and trigger a decline in native species. However, in the central 250 km2 area, actively managed by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, grasslands are in good condition and support large populations of herbivores.
Visiting Awash National Park helps educate travelers about the beauty of this unique but extremely fragile biodiversity. During your tour, 10 % of the profits go directly to the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society. This NGO combines environmental protection, sustainable management of natural resources and sensitization of local communities to ensure comprehensive active protection of Ethiopia's habitats and species.
Discover this beautiful park with Salva Fauna
During our tour in Ethiopia, we have the chance to spend several days in this magnificent place, in order to discover this incredible biodiversity. Our lodge, located in the heart of the Awash National Park, allows us an unparalleled immersion in African nature. Our guides know this country very well and share with our participants, their passion for the African wild world.
Manon
References :
Belay, S., Amsalu, A. & Abebe, E. Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Awash National Park, Ethiopia: Impact of Decentralization on the Use and Management of Resources. Open Journal of Ecology 04, 950 (2014).
Biru, Y., Tessema, Z. K. & Urge, M. Perception and attitude of pastoralists on livestock-wildlife interactions around Awash National Park, Ethiopia: implication for biodiversity conservation. Ecol Process 6, 13 (2017).
Dejene, S., Sisay, H. & Ready, R. Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Ecotourism Potential and its Role for Sustainable Development and Livelihood in Awash National Park, Ethiopia. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) volume 3, 2 (2014).
Getahun, B. & Yeshanew, Y. Sustainable ecotourism potentials and its challenges in Ethiopia: The Awash National Park in Focus. “Sustainable ecotourism potentials and its challenges in Ethiopia: The Awash National Park in Focus”. 2, 2455–2070 (2016).
Yohannes, T. Woody Plant Species Diversity Analysis in Awash National Park, Ethiopia. J Biodivers Manage Forestry 02, (2013).
Zerga, B. Awash National Park: its degradation status and protection measures. Pj palgo journal of agriculture 2, 57–66 (2015).
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute » Acacia-Commiphora Woodland Ecosystem. https://www.ebi.gov.et/biodiversity/ecosystems-of-ethiopia/acacia-commiphora-woodland-ecosystem/.