Awash National Park

Understand

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna Awash is one of the best areas in Africa to observe hyenas.

Climate

Getting there

By car

Awash National Park is 200 km by road from Addis Ababa, 3 hours drive using the Addis Ababa–Adama Expressway. It's 105 km north-east from Adama (Nazreth), national highway 4. The 1 park entrance is located in between two towns: Metehara (14 km west) and Awash (16 km east).

Getting around

Large areas of the park need a good 4×4 with high chassis, particularly to visit the northern part including the Hot Springs, where the dirt road is damaged. A standard car can access the southern area south of national highway number 4.

See

1 Awash waterfalls, south of the park (next to the lodge). Waterfalls are more impressive during or just after the rainy season. Sometimes, olive baboons cross the river on the rocks at the top of the waterfalls and are visible from the lodge. Downstairs, you can walk along the Awash River, and you may see crocodiles sleeping on the rocks when the water flow is quiet (dry season). Seeing crocodiles may need the help of a ranger, because of their colour. (updated Sep 2015) Animal tour in the park. By car. Visible animals: oryx beisa, kudus, dik-diks, sulcata tortoises, Soemmerring's gazelles, olive baboons. Sometimes, there are Afar people and their camels. (updated Sep 2015)

2 Viewpoint on the Awash River gorges, south-east of the park, in defunct Kereyu Lodge. Viewpoint on the Awash River gorges and one of its tributaries. (updated Sep 2015) Hot Springs (Fil woha). (updated Sep 2015) Mount Fentale. (updated Sep 2015)

Sleep

Lodging 1 Awash Falls Lodge, inside the park, 10 km south by dirt road. The only active lodge inside the park. Simple bungalows in a traditional style. A nice lodge to sleep in a natural landscape, with a view of the waterfalls. A room for driver is included. Single US$70, double US$100 (reduction for residents of Ethiopia). (updated Sep 2015)

Camping

Backcountry

Go next

Melka Awash - south of Addis Ababa, likewise an archaeological site with remains of hominid life from almost two million years before present. Sodere - a 1-hour detour on the way back to Addis Ababa, to see the natural hot springs and the spa, near Awash River. 25 km south of Adama on national highway 8.