AWASH NATIONAL PARK

Size: 750m2 (Seventh)
Region: Oromia/Afar
Geographical Location: Bordering the Awash River in the upper rift valley, 225km east of Addis Ababa
Altitude: 750-2,007m

Physical Features: Nearby Lake Basaka is home to many water bird species. The park's southern boundary is, in part, the Awash River, one of the major rivers of Ethiopia.

In the middle of the Park is the dominant volcano of Fantale, reaching a height of 2,007m on its rim. The Park also includes the dramatic awash fall and the unbelievably clear blue-but hot-pools of the Filwoha hot spring.

Temperatures: can reach as high as 42°C. Nights are cooler, with temperatures between 10°C and 22°C.

Rain: mainly falls between February and April and June to August & averages 619mm

Vegetation: Arid and semi-arid woodland and savannah, but also riverine forest. The plains are covered by grass species, with scattered small tree covered in dense thickets of acacia species. The rocky valleys to the north of the park are heavily bushed. Along the river a thin belt of dense riverine forest, including acacia, tamarina and fig species.

Fauna: Forty six (46) species, including Beisa Oryx, greater and lesser Kudu, Soemmerring's Gazelle, Swayne's hartebeest, lion, Hamadryads and Anubis baboon and their hybrids, Defassa waterbuck, Salt's dik-dik.

Birdlife: There are five (5) endemic among the 392 species (1st) to be found in the park. Resident species include green wood hoopoe, red-and-yellow barbet, emerald-spotted wood dove, carmine bee-eater several bustard species, fish eagle, tawny eagle, lanner and pygmy, falcon, black shouldered Kite, dark chanting goshawk, several varieties of Kingfishers and rollers, ostrich and lammergeyer.

Visitor facilities: Very basic caravan lodge on edge of Awash gorge, campsite beside river, museum.