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NECHISAR NATIONAL PARK

 


Nechisar National Park ranks in the experience of many visitors as one of the most beautiful places anywhere in the tropical savannahs. It is a small park of 514 square kilometers, located on an outstandingly scenic part of the Rift Valley floor between two lakes. The park is bounded to the east by the Amaro hills that rise to about 2000m. To the north lie the perennially red waters of Lake Abaya, which at 1,070 km is the second largest lake in Ethiopia ( the largest being Lake Tana). To the south is Lake Chamo, a small- clear watered lake of 350 square kilometers. To the east is the town of Arba Minch, headquarters of the North Omo Zone. Enclosed by the lakes and the Amaro hills are the central plains that, seen from a distance, appear white giving rise to the name nechsar (white grass). Extensive bushlands fringe these plains and there are several steep volcanic hills. Elevation is from 1,108 to 1,650m above sea level. There are two main rivers in the park, the Sermule and the Kulfo. The rivers are both less than 10 meters across and rarely deeper than 1 meter. A small but biologically rich ground water forest is supported by the high water table associated with numerous springs along the escarpment west of the park (the name Arba Minich means forty springs). This ground water forest is the only one or its kind in East Africa. January to March is the hottest period with daily maxima of around 350C. November and December are typically the coldest months with maxima of around 280C. The main rains are in March to May with a smaller peak in September to November. The average annual rainfall is about 900 mm. Access: Arbaminch is 505 km from Addis Ababa, on an all weather road. There is a new standard airport at Arba Minch. From Arba Minch to the park, many of the tracks are very steep, it is essential to use a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Camping: is allowed in the park, you should have your own facilities including water and need to remove your own rubbish but marvelous tours organize tours of camping and can arrange and deliver every facility. Wildlife Viewing: one of the reasons why Nechisar was proposed as a national park in the 1960’s was the large number of wild animals still there and the fact that it was not yet inhabited by people. The central plains support populations of Burchell’s Zebra, Grant’s gazelle and the endemic Swayne’s hartebeest, a sub species. Other mammals commonly seen in the park are leopard, jackal, spotted hyena, greater kudu, waterbuck, klipspringer, dikdik, warthog, mountain reedbuck, and Columbus & grivet monkeys. Less commonly seen are lion, wild dog, serval cat, mongooses, bush big, porcupines and many small diurnal and nocturnal mammals – altogether 84 species. In lakes Abaya and Chamo there are hippos and crocodiles. To date 333 bird species have been recorded including 3 endemic birds; the thick – billed raven; the watteled ibis; and the mysterious Nechisar nightijar,Caprimulgus solala, known only from the wing of a dead bird discovered in 1990. Boat trip on Lake Chamo is interesting and popular to visit the hippos and crocodiles.

Attractions/Destinations

    • Axum
    • Lalibela
    • Gondar
    • Bahir Dar
    • Harar
    • Addis Ababa
    • Holy days/Festivals
    • One Day / Two Days Tours
    • Photo Albums
    • --Birding Tour Ethiopia--
    • Parks
    • --Simien Mountains
    • --Awash National Park
    • --Bale Mountains
    • --Nechisar National Park
    • --Mago National Park
    • --Omo National Park
    • -- Lake Abijata-Shala

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