Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority
Awash National Park
Awash National Park is a symbol of conservation practices in Ethiopia. It is one of the two National Parks first established and among the first that are now on the verge of irreversible loss. Despite all odds, the Park hosts ecological, cultural, archaeological, geological, and economic resource values. The Fentale Mountain and its stratovolcano crater, the Filwuha Hot Spring, Illala Sala Plain, and the Awash River with its gorge and magnificent waterfall are the main ecological units of the park. Fentale Mountain, with its 300-meter crater, is the highest peak in the Ethiopian Rift Valley system. The foothills of the mountain have caves inhabited by Spotted Hyenas, hence literally called ‘Hyenas Caves’. The Hyenas caves are among the attractions of the park.
Access and Accommodation
The park lies approximately 215 km, or a 4h drive, east of Addis Abeba. Both the Addis Ababa-Djibouti highways and railways bisect the park’s Illala plain into two. The main entrance is located between Metehara and Awash 7 towns and the headquarter is located about 11 km south of the main entrance close to the Awash Falls. The Kuriftu Resort is the only accommodation positioned inside the ANP; approximately 11 km from the main entrance and watching Awash Falls. Other accommodations include the very basic self-catered with no water supply or ablutions available at the park’s camping ground near the headquarter. Another camping ground is located close to the hot spring at the northern end of the park with limited road access, where only 4×4 vehicles are advisable.
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