Nech
Sar National Park Walking distance from Arba Minch, 'nech sar'
means white grass in Amharic and is named after the pale plains in the park's west. However, Nech Sar contains a wide
variety of other terrains, including acacia scrub, moist forests and open stretches of water. The park is surrounded by Lakes
Chamo and Abaya, and the large populations of hippos and crocodiles are one of the areas main attractions. The crocodile market
on the shores of Lake Chamo, where hundreds of the reptiles can be seen basking is a particularly good viewing spot. The park
is also renowned for its birdlife, with a very healthy population of raptors.
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Awash National Park Awash National Park is Ethiopia’s oldest national park and one
of the most rewarding for nature lovers. The scenery at the park is stunning and varied. The southern section boasts the spectacular
Awash river gorge and waterfall, and also the Illala Sala Plains where herds of the elegant oryxes are easily spotted, as
well as bee eaters, rollers and chanting goshawks. The northern section of the park has the dormant volcano Mount Fantalle
and the Filwoha Hot Springs, which offers lagoons full of herons, storks and pelicans and a well-located campsite. Bush pigs
are frequently seen within walking distance of the camp, and Hamaydras baboons are also present. If you are lucky, during
the night you may hear the roar of a passing lion, or even the sawing cough of a leopard.
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Mago
National Park Four hours from Jinka, covering an area of over 2000
square kilometres, the extensive wilderness of Mago NP is most popular with tourists for the Mursi villages that lie along
the Mago river. The habitat varies from dense, acacia forest at the basin of the rift valley to the 2528 metre high Mount
Mago. The park has around 200 lions, Grevy's zebra, greater and lesser kudu, reticulated giraffes and plenty of Olive
baboons. There have also been over 300 bird species recorded.
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