Where to See Wildlife in Ethiopia: A Traveler’s Guide

The "Roof of Africa" is what people call Ethiopia, which showcases breathtaking landscapes alongside its rich cultural heritage and diverse biodiversity. The country offers its visitors various wildlife destinations throughout its territory.

Geladas rule the wild heights of Ethiopia

Top 8 Destinations to See Wildlife in Ethiopia

The wildlife of Ethiopia shows the same diversity as its geographical regions, which span from elevated plateaus down to lowland wetlands. The following destinations should be your priority if you want to observe wildlife in Ethiopia.

1. Simien Mountains National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park is renowned for its dramatic escarpments, deep valleys, and jagged peaks. It’s home to the endemic Gelada baboon (often called the "bleeding-heart baboon"), the rare Walia ibex, and the elusive Ethiopian wolf. Birdwatchers will also spot lammergeyer vultures soaring overhead.

Location: Northern Ethiopia, near the town of Debark, approximately 100 km north of Gondar.

How to Get There:

• Fly into Gondar from Addis Ababa (1-hour flight), then hire a 4x4 vehicle or join a guided tour for the 2-3 hour drive to Debark, the park’s gateway.
• Alternatively, overland travel from Gondar by bus or private car is available.

Best Time to Visit: October to May (dry season) offers clear skies and comfortable temperatures for hiking and wildlife spotting. Avoid the rainy season (June to September) due to muddy trails.

What to See:

• Gelada Baboons: "Bleeding-heart monkeys" found in large troops.
• Walia Ibex: A rare mountain-dwelling goat found only in Ethiopia.
• Ethiopian Wolf: Occasionally spotted at higher elevations.
• Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) :  A rare scavenger bird.

Activities:

• Multi-day treks with local guides
• Camping under starlit skies
• Short day hikes to viewpoints like Imet Gogo.
• Visiting Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak (4,550m)
• The annual Timkat festival (January 19-20) in nearby towns adds a cultural highlight.

Travel Tip: Bring sturdy hiking boots and warm layers, as altitudes exceed 3,600 meters.

Trekking Simien Mountains

2. Bale Mountains National Park

This park is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting the largest population of the endangered Ethiopian wolf, as well as the Mountain Nyala and Bale monkey. The Sanetti Plateau and Harenna Forest offer contrasting ecosystems—alpine moorlands and lush jungles.

Location: Southeastern Ethiopia, about 400 km from Addis Ababa, near the town of Goba.

How to get there: Drive from Addis Ababa (6-8 hours) via Shashemene, or take a Domestic flight to Goba (1 hour), followed by a short drive to the park. Organized tours often include transport.

Best time to visit: November to February for optimal wildlife viewing and pleasant weather. The park’s wildflowers bloom spectacularly in September and October.

What to see:

• Ethiopian Wolf: The world’s rarest canid, found in the Sanetti Plateau.
• Mountain Nyala:  A majestic antelope endemic to Ethiopia.
• Bale Monkey & Menelik’s Bushbuck: Unique primates of the Harenna Forest.
• Over 300 Bird Species, including the Blue-winged Goose and Abyssinian Catbird.

Activities:

• Guided hikes across the Sanetti Plateau, 
• Guided wildlife walks & wolf tracking
• Bird watching (spot the endemic Rouget’s Rail), 
• Cultural encounters with the Oromo people,
• Overnight stays at Bale Mountain Lodge. 
• Local coffee ceremonies with villagers are a cultural bonus.

Travel Tip: Pack binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens for distant wildlife sightings.

The elusive Ethiopian wolf prowls the Bale Mountains

3. Awash National Park

This park offers a savanna landscape with acacia woodlands and volcanic features. Look out for Beisa oryx, Soemmerring’s gazelle, and over 450 bird species, including the rare Arabian bustard. The Awash Falls add scenic beauty.

Location: Central Ethiopia, 225 km east of Addis Ababa, along the Awash River.

How to get there:

• A 3-4 hour drive from Addis Ababa on a paved road makes it accessible by private car or tour bus. 
• Public buses to Awash town are an option, followed by a short taxi ride to the park entrance.

Best Time to Visit: October to March, when the weather is dry and animals gather near water sources.

Activities:

• Game drives, riverside walks, and hot spring visits near Filwoha. 
• The park’s proximity to Harar allows for a cultural extension to see the famous hyena feeding at night.

Travel Tip: Stay hydrated and wear light, breathable clothing due to the warmer climate

Discover the raw beauty of Awash National Park — Ethiopia’s wild heart.

4. Gambella National Park

One of Ethiopia’s least-visited parks, Gambella is a wetland paradise hosting massive migrations of white-eared kob, Nile lechwe, and elephants. It’s a hidden gem for adventurous travelers.

Location: Western Ethiopia, near the South Sudan border, is about 770 km from Addis Ababa.

How to Get There: Fly to Gambella town from Addis Ababa (1.5 hours), then arrange a 4x4 vehicle with a guide for the park, as the roads are rough. Overland travel takes 2-3 days and is not recommended during the rainy season.

Best Time to Visit: December to March, when migratory herds are most active and the ground is drier.

Activities:

• Boat trips along the Baro River, 
• Birdwatching (shoebills and pelicans abound), 
• Camping in the wilderness.
• Local markets in Gambella town offer a taste of Nuer and Anuak cultures.

Travel Tip: Coordinate with a specialist tour operator, as infrastructure is limited.

Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) in the savanna

5. Omo Valley & Mago National Park

Location: Southern Ethiopia, near Jinka and the Omo River

How to Get There:

• Fly to Arba Minch or Jinka, then drive 2-3 hours.
• A 12-15 hour drive from Addis Ababa.

Best Time to Visit: December – February (cooler, less rain)

What to See:

• African Buffaloes in the park.
• Mursi Tribe – Known for their lip plates and unique traditions.
• Rare Birds & Primates in the tropical forests.

Activities:

• Cultural experiences with indigenous tribes
• Safari game drives
• Birdwatching & photography

Immersing in authentic cultural experiences with indigenous tribes

6. Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve

Location: Northern Ethiopia, near Bahir Dar

How to Get There:

• Fly to Bahir Dar, then take a boat.
• A 6-7 hour drive from Addis Ababa.

Best Time to Visit: November to March (less rain, best birdwatching conditions)

What to See:

• Pelicans, Herons, & Kingfishers around the lake.
• Monasteries & Island Churches around Lake Tana.

Activities:

• Birdwatching boat tours
• Monastery visits
• Fishing & cultural experiences

Hippos in Lake Tana

7. Nechisar National Park

Location: Near Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia

How to Get There:

• Fly to Arba Minch from Addis Ababa, then take a short drive to the park.
• Boat trips can be arranged from Lake Chamo.

Best Time to Visit: December to February

What to see:

• Burchell’s zebras
• Grant’s gazelle
• Greater kudu
• Crocodiles and hippos in Lake Chamo

Activities:

• Boat safari to see hippos and Nile crocodiles ("Crocodile Market").
• Game drives in the savanna plains.
• Birdwatching (fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans).

Burchell Zebras

8. Yangudi-Rassa National Park

Location: Afar Region, near the Danakil Depression

How to Get There: Accessible via Awash or Logiya, best with a guided tour due to remoteness.

Best Time to Visit: November – February (coolest months)

What to see

• African wild ass (critically endangered).
• Grevy’s zebra is historically recorded but now extremely rare in Ethiopia.
• Dorcas gazelle.

Activities:

• Wildlife tracking in semi-desert terrain.
• Combined visits to the Danakil Depression (Erta Ale volcano, Dallol sulfur springs).

African Wild Ass

Practical Travel Information

Most international tourists begin their journey at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines maintains robust connections between main worldwide airports. 

All but a few countries require their citizens to obtain visas. First-time visitors to Ethiopia must obtain their Ethiopia e-Visa before their trip through the application process.

The domestic flight network operates between major cities in Ethiopia. Visitors should use 4x4 vehicles with drivers or guided tours because the parks feature challenging terrain. The majority of parks require 4x4 vehicles for transportation.

Your stay in each park should last between 2 and 4 days based on your preference for trekking or photography activities. The schedule spanning 10 to 14 days allows visitors to visit various locations.

The country remains secure for visitors, but you should examine security updates for regions bordering Eritrea or South Sudan. Hire local guides for remote areas.

The best period to observe wildlife occurs during the dry seasons from October through March.

The essential travel items include binoculars along with a camera and hiking boots, and sunscreen protection.

The local population, together with protected wildlife species, lives in these regions.

Ethiopia offers one of the richest arrays of endemic wildlife in Africa, especially in its highland and montane ecosystems. The country guarantees an exceptional adventure through its opportunities to observe Ethiopian wolves and view Gelada baboons, together with its unspoiled forest areas.

Hope this article gives you useful information on where to see the wildlife in Ethiopia.  Ensure you have your Ethiopia visa sorted before embarking on this incredible wildlife journey.