Awash National Park

Awash National Park is a protected area in the Afar Region in the eastern part of the country. The terrain includes open plains with volcanic rock, warm springs, and the river that connects several different habitats.

The government created the protected area in 1969 to preserve the region's wildlife. It was the first such reserve in the country and later served as a model for other conservation projects.

The name comes from the river that runs through the entire area and shapes the landscape. Visitors often see herders with their livestock in the surrounding zones, where grazing has been part of daily life for centuries.

The park sits about 225 kilometers (140 miles) east of Addis Ababa and is reachable by paved road. Visitors can choose between simple camping spots and permanent structures, with early morning hours best for spotting animals.

The area is home to more than 450 bird species, including many migratory and native birds that move between different elevations. The waterfall on the river forms a natural border between the upper and lower sections of the reserve.