The natural beauty of Ethiopia amazes the first-time visitor. Ethiopia is a land of rugged mountains (some 25 are over 4000 meters high) broad savannah, lakes and rivers. The unique Rift valley is a remarkable region of volcanic lakes, with their famous collections of birdlife, great escarpments and stunning vistas. With 14 major wildlife reserves, Ethiopia provides a microcosm of the entire sub-saharan ecosystem. Birdlife abonds, and indigenous animals from the rare walia ibex to the shy wild ass, roam free just as nature intended. Ethiopia, after the rains, is a land decked with flowers and with many more native plants than most countries in Africa

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SIMIEN MOUNTAIN
The simien mountain massif (225 sq.k.m) is a broad plateau, cut off to the north and west by an enormous single crag of over 60 kilometers long. The simien highlands constitute one of the major mountain massifs in Africa. The region includes many summits which are over 3,800 meters and culminates at the highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dashen, which is 4,620 meters and the fourth highest mountain in Africa.
 Fauna- within this spectacular splendor live the walia (S Abyssinian) ibex, semein red wolf and Gelada baboon- all endemic to Ethiopia- as well as the Hamadryads baboon, klipspringer and bushbuck. Birds such as the lammergeyer. The Altitude Ranges between 750-4,620 m above sea level and the Temperature ranges between 16-45 Degree C.

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BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONL PARK
It is an area of high altitude plateau of 2470 sq.k.m. With numerous spectacular volcanic plugs and peaks, beautiful tiny alpine lakes and rushing streams from the mountain descending in to deep rocks gorges on their way down to the lowlands.
Bale mountain National park is the largest Afro-alpine habitat. It offers visitors with opportunities of mountaineering horse trekking, scenic driving and chances to view some of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals.
The park was first established to serve as a sanctuary for the three rare endemic species of animals; namely, Ethiopian Red fox, mountain Nyala and menelik’s bushbuke.
Altitude- ranges between 1500-4450mt above sea level and Temperature Ranges between 15oc-30oc.
Flora- about 1600 plant species shelter in the park of which 160 are endemic to Ethiopia and 34 are strictly endemic to the park.
           
Fauna-78 mammal species of which 17 are endemic to Ethiopia. There are rare and endangered as well as endemic species (e.g. Ethiopian wolf and mountain Nyala.) over 280 birds  species have been recorded, including eight endemic (e.g. yellow-fronted parrot, Abyssinian long claw, spot breasted plover and Abyssinian wood pecker). There are several rare endemic frogs, including four species found in Bale alone. Similarly, there are two chameleon species restricted to the park.

           

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AWASH NATIONAL PARK
It is the first park (765 sq.k.m) legally in Ethiopia on account of the great numbers and varieties of wild mammals and birds as well as its tourist potential.
Another feature of the park is the Filwoha (hot springs) situated in the extreme north of the park. It is used as spa by the local people. The altitude-ranges from 750m-2000m above sea level and Temperature ranges between 16-45.

Flora:- out of 7,000 species of plants recorded in the country 400 is found in this park.
Fauna:- there are about 76 mammal species in the park mostly consisting of Oryx, bat-eared fox, caracal, ardvark, colobus and green Monkeys, anubis and hamadryads Baboons, Klipspringer, leopard, bushbuck, hippo, Soemmering’s gazelle, grevey’s zebra, cheetah, greater and lesser, kudus, mountain reedbuck, warthog, lion, several cat, crocodile and several others.

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NECH SAR NATIONAL PARK
The park (515 sq.km) was established as a sanctuary for the endemic and endangered Swayne’s hartebeest. The Amharic phrase ‘nech sar’ means ‘white grass’ refers to the central grassy plains, which is always associated with Burchell’s zebra, the park’s most striking feature. The park is an impressive swathe of white grassy plains set against the backdrop of clearly defined, deeply cut hills and mountains; it is the only national park in the world where the critically endangered Swayne’s hartebeest still survives. The altitude-Ranges from 1100-1650m above sea level and Temperature Ranges between 20-39.

Fauna:- 84 mammals’ species are known to occur in the park, the main species of mammals are Greater kudu, Burche’s Zebra, klipspringer, baboons, colobus monkey, and wild dog. Besides, 342 bird species have been recorded, including two found nowhere else in Ethiopia.

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MAGO NATIONAL PARK
The Mago national park (21,620 sq.km) is situated with in the Great Rift valley system in the south Nation, Nationalities and people regional state. East of the Omo River, stretching to the south, towards the chew bahir basin, Mago national park is rich in wildlife with few human inhabitants. The Altitude Ranges from 450-2528 above sea level and temperature is 14-41

Fauna:- 81 mammal species are known to exist in the park; mostly consisting of large herds of elephants, buffalos, Grant’s gazelle, greater and lesser kudus. 217 bird species have also been recorded.

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OMO NATIONAL PARK
The Omo National park (4,068sq.km) is one of the least spoilt wildernesses with splendid attraction of rich savannah and geomorphologic formation. The park is perhaps the last strong hold from several species of wildlife in Ethiopia. The most notable animal species are the Eland and Tiang, the former being the only animal unique to the park. The altitude Ranges from 450-2528 above sea level and the highest temperature is 36-39 between December and February; while the lowest temperature is 20-21 between March and May.

Fauna:- 75 mammal species are known to exist in the park; mostly consisting of large herds of elephants, buffaloes, Grant’s gazelle, greater and lesser kudus. 320 bird species, including the black –winged lovebird both aquatic.

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ABIYATTA SHALLA LAKES NATIONAL PARKS  
Abyijata-shalla national park or lakes parking reputed as bird watcher’s paradise. Despite their natural beauty, these lakes are best known for their bird life. A great number of endemic and exotic birds travel from Africa and different parts of the world to the park. The park shelters migratory birds usually from July to September. 
History – established in 1970 but not gazetted.
Location- 215 kms south of Addis Ababa in Oromia Regional state.
Area – 887 sq.km. Out of which 482 sq.k.m is that of the alkaline lakes.
Altitude- Range from 1540-2075 m above sea level
Temperature- lies between 150-450c
Fauna-About 37 mammal species have been recorded and some of them are klipspringer, greater kudu, Grant’s gazelle, orbit and mountain reedbuck. it is a wetland reserve bird sanctuary in the Great rift valley. Some 370 species of birds occur here. The most common are great which pelicans, flamingoes. Egyptian geese, marabou storks, yellow billed strokes, eagles, herons and
Egrets. The two lakes lie on the migratory route of aquatic birds from the northern hemisphere during the winter season.
Vegetation- savannah and acacia woodland.
Accommodation- hotels and camping sites available at the nearby lake longano beach resort

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