​Wildlife & Animals – Awash NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Ethiopia.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Ethiopia.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Ethiopia.

Awash National Park has seen a fair amount of poaching, and wildlife viewing is hit-and-miss. However, when visiting some of the scenic highlights of the park, you might come across some animals. Beisa oryx and Soemmerring's gazelle are both quite common on the open plains, and the diminutive Salt's dik-dik might be spotted scurrying off in the long grass.

Abundant
Common
Occasional
Rare
None
Ethiopian wolf None
Gelada monkey None
Walia ibex None
Beisa oryx Common
Soemmerring's
gazelle Common
Hamadryas baboon Common
Salt's dik-dik Common
Lesser kudu Occasional
Desert warthog Occasional
Olive baboon Abundant
Defassa waterbuck Occasional
Nile crocodile Occasional
Guereza monkey Rare
Spotted hyena Occasional

Wildlife Highlights

Look out for the rare hamadryas baboon. The females are easily mistaken for the more widespread olive baboon, but the males, with their white coats and imposing manes, are easily identified. Due to overlapping ranges, you might even see some hybrids. Other primates to look out for are the vervet monkey and the striking, black-and-white guereza monkey, which tends to keep to the forest along the Awash River.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Awash NP is not a prime wildlife destination, but animals can be seen throughout the year. July to September is the short Wet season and wildlife viewing might be less productive over that period. This is when animals spread out more and are less inclined to seek out the river, lakes and springs for drinking.

Wildlife Rating

  • User Rating
    0.0/5 0 Wildlife Reviews

Wildlife Photos
+7 Photos

Want to Visit Awash NP?

Wildlife Rating

  • User Rating
    0.0/5 0 Wildlife Reviews

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (9)