National Parks in Ethiopia
South of the Sahara lies Ethiopia, which, measured by land area, is roughly three times the size of Germany. Unlike other African states in the north, Ethiopia is characterized by exceptionally lush flora and fauna.
In the highlands of the country, relatively a lot of rain falls, a basis for life. To protect the animal and plant world, the state has placed various areas under nature protection in the last few decades. In addition to 13 national parks, around 100 other areas are under nature protection.
The first protected areas
In the late 1950s, Ethiopia placed the first two areas under nature protection. In addition to the Simien Mountains National Park, the Omo National Park was included. Located north of Lake Turkana, this park was named after the Omo River. The highest animal density in the entire country can be found in this national park. Huge herds of giraffes, buffalo, lions and leopards roam the area, which is difficult for visitors to access. There is only a small airstrip near the park administration.
The Simien Mountains National Park is only 179 km² in size, but is worth protecting solely for its impressive mountain landscape. The highest mountain in Ethiopia, Ras Dashen, which is 4,500 meters high, lies in the park. Since 1979, the national park has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The last specimens of the Ethiopian ibex live in this area; they are under special protection.
Development in the 1960s
In the following decade, the East African state founded five more nature reserves. Perhaps the best-known park is the Bale Mountains National Park. It is located in the highlands in the southern part of the country; the second-highest mountain in Ethiopia, Tullu Deemtu, is located there.
Over many centuries, unique animal and plant species have developed there, isolated from the outside world. The particularly rare Ethiopian wolf can be found here, as well as an especially large number of different bird species. Another special feature of the park is the fact that it represents the largest alpine landscape in all of Africa.
No less interesting and very popular among tourists from all over the world is the Yangudi Rassa National Park, about 500 kilometers away from the capital Addis Ababa. The park is not located in the highlands, but in the savanna. Typical of this region are the high temperatures; the thermometer climbs to over 40 degrees Celsius in summer. In addition to a number of herd animals such as warthogs or gazelles, predators, especially cheetahs and jackals, are widespread.
The park of birds
Unique in its kind in Ethiopia is the Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park, which has officially been a national park since 1963. It was named after the two adjacent lakes, Abijatta and Shalla. It was founded almost 50 years ago to protect the impressive bird population in the area. Around 300 bird species live in the Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park, including six species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. Over 60 percent of the park is covered by water.
