Wildlife: Ethiopia’s richness in natural heritage has been under promotion and so it is not the priority for visitors to the country, rather the historic route is a marvel and a must-see for any visitors. The richness and uniqueness of the biodiversity of the protected areas of Ethiopia introduce species that occur nowhere else in the world. More than 6,600 plant species of which 15% are endemic to the country; 277 mammals of which 31 species are endemic; over 861 species of Birds of which nearly 31 of them are endemic; 208 species of reptiles, 77 species of amphibians, and 175 species of Fish.
As far as wildlife is concerned, it should not be viewed in relation to the spectacular big mammals only as is the case in many parts of the world, but it does include the small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and Plants for they are the crucial part of the ecosystem for which the big mammals depend for existence.
Please visit the official website of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority and the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society!
Simien Mountain National Park offers a spectacular wilderness both in terms of Fauna and Flora. The Walia Ibex, whose population has been remarkably increasing in recent years, and now sighting is guaranteed. The Guassa Community Conservation Area is one of the oldest in Sub-Saharan Africa which has been one of the strongholds of the Ethiopian Wolf (Canis Simiensis)
Bale Mountain National Park is home to the world’s rarest Canid the Ethiopian Wolf, Mountain Nyala, and the world’s largest population of the Giant Mole Rate. The Harenna forest south of the Park’s boundary has the Ethiopian Balck Mane Lion, wild dogs, and the recently discovered Bale Monkey.
Please visit www.ethiopianwolf.org for more information.
Awash National Park located in the middle of the Ethiopian Rift Valley has different plain animals such as the Bessa Orix, Dik-dik, Gerenuk, Bat Eared Fox and rarely seen leopards and lions. The Alledeghi Reserve close to the Awash Park on the way to the northern Rift system is home to the Abyssinian Wild Ass and herds of plain Animals.
Babile Elephant Sanctuary 4o km east of Harer is the largest reserve in the Country and is home to the endemic Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) the sub-species and Lions and wild Ass with luck. No Accommodation is available for camping otherwise a day trip from Harer can be done.
Senkele Sanctuary 320 km south of Addis Abeba was established for the protection of the largest known population of Swayne’s hartebeest.
Yabello Sanctuary is now the Borna National Park 562 km South of Addis Abeba on the way to Kenya and it is home to the Red Swayne’s hartebeest nowadays rare to see it, rather Burchill’s and Grave’s Zebra can be sited. The Sanctuary is also home to two Endemic Birds of Ethiopia the Stresemann’s Bush Crow and the Ethiopian White-tailed Swallow.
For the Big Game, the Chebera Churchura National Park 460km Southwest of Addis is an emerging park for the sighting of the African Elephant and the Cape Buffalo. This is the Park that has a less disturbed Eco-system for the African Elephant and the Buffalo in the country. Access is easy, but the internal road network is poor. Mago and Omo National Park are the most beautiful African wildlife reserves, but sighting is difficult due to poor roads, and thick vegetation. Elephants, Buffalo, Lion, Hartebeest, Tiang (Topi), Lions, Leopards, and Wild dogs are Seen. Accommodation is Camping only. Gambela National Park is where the second largest annual migration of the White-eared Kob is happening between Ethiopia and South Sudan. Buffalo, Topi, Lion, Giraffe, Waterbuck, Roan Antelope, Nile Lechwe, Burchill’s Zebra, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, and elephants can be seen. Poor internal Roads, Camping is Mandatory.
Contact us for more details: ethiopiaodyssey@gmail.com/ info@ethiopiaodyssey.com
Itinerary
Ethiopian Odyssey Special Wildlife Tour for Both Endemic Mammals and Plants.13 Nights/ 14 Days
Day 01- Arrival at the Bole International Airport. Balance of the day, the Gulele Botanical Garden and Entoto Park. O/n Ghion hotel or similar.
Day 02- Fly to Gondar and drive to the Simien Mountains National Park. O/n Simien or Limalimo Lodge.
Day 03- a full day in the Simien Mountains National Park. O/n Simien or Limamilo Lodge.
Day 04- a full day in Simien Mountain National Park. O/n Simien or Limalimo Lodge.
Day 05- drive back to Gondar. O/n Goha Hotel
Day 06- fly back to Addis and then connect for the flight to Goba. O/n Sheble Hotel.
Day 07- a full day in the Bale Mountain National Park’s headquarters in Dinsho. O/n Sheble Hotel.
Day 08- Excursion to Harena Forest and Senattie Plateau. O/n Sheble Hotel.
Day 09- Drive to Awassa. O/n Haile Resort or Similar.
Day 10- an early morning excursion to the Senkle Sanctuary and on the way back drive to Langano. O/n Sabana or Hara Lodge
Day 11- a full day in Langano. O/n Sabana or Hara Lodge.
Day 12- Drive to Awash. O/n Kuriftu Lodge.
Day 13- excursion to Aledeghi Reserve. O/n Kuriftu Lodge.
Day 14- drive back to Addis. O/n flies back home.