Wildlife & Wilderness

A herd of buffalo stampede in Gambella, Ethiopia

An Ethiopian wolf in Bale National Park, Ethiopia

A Swaynes stands in the bushland in Ethiopia

A gelada monkey with a view of the Simien Mountains behind him in Ethiopia

a tourist takes a photo of an antelope resting under a tree, Ethiopia

The wildlife of Ethiopia

Lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo, leopard and giraffe can all be found in Ethiopia’s many untouched and seldom explored National Parks. However, there are also unique endemic species which make a trip to this country particularly special.

Fantastic places to see wildlife

Kafta Sheraro National Park & Halledeghe Wildlife Reserve

Kafta Sheraro National Park has Africa’s most northerly herd of elephant. Halledeghe Wildlife Reserve has, among other plains game species, Grevy’s zebra and striped hyaena – two critically endangered mammals. The migration in Gambella, of the white eared kob, is a “must see” spectacle.

Maze National Park

Swaynes hartebeeste dot the plains of Maze National Park and Ethiopian wolves and mountain nyala populate the high country.

Chebera Churchura, Mago and Omo National Parks

Stunning forests and crater lakes create ideal habitat for a number of big game species in Chebera Churchura National Park, and, the wilderness area between Mago National Park and Omo National Park is home to a spectacular array of fauna and flora.

Gambella National Park

Gambella National Park is Ethiopia’s untouched wilderness. This vast area in the far south west corner of the country is flooded for most of the year, but in the four to five months when the water levels subside, vast plains open up and these create the perfect grazing lands for Africa’s second biggest migration, that of the white eared kob. Of the 1.2 million kob that move around the Sud, about 300,000 come into the plains of Gambella as it dries. As well as the huge numbers of kob, there are great herds of buffalo. Lion, roan antelope, tiang, Lelwels hartebeest and waterbuck all are found in the forests on the edge of the wetlands. Herds of elephant and rare Nubian giraffe are hidden away in the far corner of this landscape.

A man takes a photo of a Gelada monkey in the Simien National Park, Ethiopia

A close up picture of a Gelada monkey in the Simiens National Park, Ethiopia

Gelada monkeys in Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

A tourist walks amongst a group of Gelada monkeys in the Simiens National Park, Ethiopia

Gelada monkeys wtih a view of the Simien Mountains behind them, Ethiopia

The endemic species

The wildlife of Ethiopia is as diverse as the country itself, with an enviable list of endemic mammals and birds that delight many visiting naturalists.

Gelada monkeys

The gelada monkeys found in the north of the country are easiest to visit in the Simien Mountains National Park. These fascinating monkeys offer an interactive wildlife experience to matche any found on the continent.

The Ethiopian wolf

The Ethiopian wolf is the world’s most endangered canid, and a day spent with them in the high country is an indelible memory. Visit between January and March, to witness the pups emerging from their dens – an absolute must on any wildlife watching calendar.

Other endemic species

Mountain nyala, walia ibex, Swaynes hartebeest, Meneliks bushbuck and Bale monkeys are a few of the many other species only found in Ethiopia.

These unique endemic species enhance the usual big game sightings found around the country, making Ethiopia a rather special and attractive destination for a wildlife safari.