Don’t Miss These National Parks in Ethiopia

By
Lilly E
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Bale Mountains National Park. Photo by hecke06/Depositphotos

Ethiopia is definitely one of the most fascinating countries in all of Africa. Located at the divergence point of two tectonic plates, the Nubian and the Somai Plates, this country of 105 million people has a rich natural wealth in addition to its incredible history and cultural traits.

If you are looking to escape to nature during your Ethiopian vacation, you should keep these stunning national parks in mind.

Simien Mountains National Park

Ethiopia is a very mountainous country, and one of the most spectacular mountainous regions can be found in this park in northern Ethiopia. The gelada baboon, which only lives in this rocky and craggy area, can often be found roaming freely near hiking trails and represents the natural diversity found in the Simien Mountains.

Bale Mountains National Park

Another mountainous national park that you should definitely check out in Ethiopia is the Bale Mountains. The craggy, volcanic mountains of the park contrast sharply with the Sanetti Plateau which has been flattened by glaciers. Large mammals such as the Ethiopian wolf abound in this area.

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After our bikepacking trip was cut short, I went to Bale Mountains National Park to photograph and conduct interviews for @frankfurt.zoological.society | Here’s the thing about Bale: It’s the largest Afroalpine habitat on the continent and it’s tropical forest harbors more endemic mammals than any other similar sized area on the planet. This includes the Ethiopian wolf—Africa’s rarest canid—and the mountain nyala (seen here). It’s a biodiversity hotspot, but it’s also important to people. The mountains rise above 14,000’ and function as a water tower, absorbing water in the wet season and releasing it through four rivers during the dry season. Between ten to fifteen million people in southeast Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya depend on the water that comes off the Bale massif | Since the 1960s Ethiopia’s population has tripled, from 30 million to over 100 million. Today, this population explosion threatens the park in the form of overgrazing and deforestation. It’s the classic question of conservation in the 21st century: how do you provide opportunity for people while also protecting precious habitat and clean water for those living downstream? #balemountainsnationalpark

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Nechisar National Park

An arid plain dominates the Nechisar National Park, which is sandwiched between Abaya Lake and Chamo Lake. Crocodiles can be found in Chamo Lake’s placid waters, whereas animals such as zebras dominate the dry landscape between the lakes in this natural protected area.

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Postals etíops 31. Una habitació amb vistes.

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