AWASH NATIONAL PARK
Awash National Park takes its name from the Awash River which marks the park’s southern boundary is located 225 km east of Addis Ababa, cover an area of 827 square kilometers (319 square miles) the Park stretches 30km east to west and a little less from north to south. The terrain is mainly acacia woodland and grassland. Lying in the lowlands east of Addis Ababa, and striding the National Park is one of the handpicked reserves in Ethiopia as it’s the most reachable national park in the country. The Awash River, one of the major rivers of the Horn of Africa, waters important agricultural lands in the north- eastern part of Ethiopia and eventually flows into the wilderness of Danakil Depression. The dramatic Awash Falls as the river tumbles into its gorge is the site not to be missed in the national park.
Awash National Park surrounding the dormant volcano of Fantale is one of the main features of the park on the southern flank of which can be seen the dark scar of the last lava flow of 1820 is a reserve of arid and semi-arid woodland and Savannah, with riverine forests along the Awash River. Forty-six species of animals have been identified here, including Beisa Oryx and Swayne's Hartebeest. The bird life is prolific especially along the river and in amongst the 392 species recorded. The other feature is the turquoise-blue pools of the natural hot springs in the extreme north of the park where you can enjoy swimming and bathing. Awash national park is one of the best ideal national park for those who are interested with nature, wild life and birding with limited schedule.
Bird life over 350 species are recorded for the park: They range from the great ostrich, frequently and easily observed, and the less common Secretary Bird and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, to the flashes of brilliant pink which are the Carmine Bee-eaters, and the Abyssinian Roller with turquoise and purple, wings, between these two extremes, birds of the riverine forest, Coucal, Turaco, Go-away Birds; birds of prey; and birds of the savannah to the north at Filwoha lies the hot springs oasis in its groves of palm trees. The Awash River gorge in the south of the park has some spectacular waterfalls near the park headquarters.