Awash National Park Safari: Wildlife & Bird Watching

Awash Falls and 450 bird species across acacia woodland and volcanic ridges

A 2-day private safari from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park, Ethiopia's oldest wildlife reserve, with a driver and guide, accommodation, and all meals. You'll drive through the Rift Valley, stop at crater lakes and volcanic landmarks on the way, then spend two days exploring the park's grasslands, woodlands and riverbanks for oryx, hartebeest, baboons, crocodiles and endemic birds like the Verreaux's eagle and carmine bee-eater. The route includes Awash Falls, where the river cuts through a narrow gorge, and a morning game drive on day two when wildlife is most active.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa to Awash National Park

• Drive from Addis to Awash via Bishoftu
• Stop and walk at Lake Hora
• Continue drive to Awash via Adama
• Stop for coffee near Adama
• Pass Fentale Mountain and Lake Beseka
• Arrive at Awash National Park
• Game drive and visit Awash Falls

Day 2: Awash to Addis Ababa via Bishoftu

• Morning exploration in Awash National Park
• Drive back to Addis Ababa
• Stop for lunch and visit Lake Bishoftu
• Continue drive to Addis Ababa

The experience

The drive east from Addis Ababa covers 225 kilometers through the Rift Valley, stopping first at Lake Hora near Bishoftu to walk the shoreline and watch cormorants, ibises, storks and pelicans. You'll pass through Adama for coffee, then approach Awash National Park via Fentale Mountain, a volcanic peak still releasing gas, and Lake Beseka, fed by the Awash River and bordered by Metehara, a town known for its sweet oranges. The landscape shifts as you move closer to the park, from farmland to the drier acacia woodland that defines the reserve.

On arrival, a game drive takes you across the park's 756 square kilometers of terrain, from grassy plains to volcanic ridges and riverine forests. Awash Falls is the centerpiece: the river cascades through a narrow gorge, and the surrounding banks hold crocodiles, olive baboons, bushbucks, warthogs and lesser kudu. The park hosts over 450 bird species, including the rare Abyssinian Roller, yellow-throated serin, and the majestic Verreaux's eagle. Swayne's hartebeest, a rare antelope found only in Ethiopia, roams the grasslands, and if conditions align, leopards or lions occasionally appear. You'll spend the night at Genet Hotel Awash.

Day two starts before dawn with a return to the park for a morning exploration, when birds and animals are most active and the air is cool. After breakfast you'll drive back toward Addis Ababa, stopping in Bishoftu to see Lake Bishoftu itself (a crater lake ringed by steep volcanic walls with deep blue water), and to have lunch before the final leg home. The entire trip includes the driver, air-conditioned vehicle, fuel, accommodation, breakfast, coffee or tea, park entrance fees and a scout fee.

What’s included

• Driver and English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle and fuel.
• accommodation at Genet Hotel Awash.
• breakfast both mornings.
• coffee or tea.
• park entrance and scout fees.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Addis Ethiopia Tours

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you travel at your own pace with a dedicated driver and guide rather than joining a group: ideal if you want flexibility in where you stop and how long you linger at Awash Falls or during the morning game drive when wildlife is most active. The 2-day format gives you a full afternoon and an early morning in the park, which is what catches both the late-day and dawn feeding periods. A 1-day trip would cut the morning exploration entirely.

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Top questions

What animals and birds will I actually see at Awash National Park?

Awash National Park holds over 450 bird species, including the Verreaux's eagle, carmine bee-eater, yellow-throated serin and the rare Abyssinian Roller. Mammals include East African oryx, Swayne's hartebeest (endemic to Ethiopia), bushbucks, olive baboons, warthogs, lesser kudu, crocodiles basking near the water, and occasionally leopards or lions. The early morning game drive on day two offers the best chance to see wildlife active and feeding.

How long is the drive from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park?

The park lies 225 kilometers east of Addis Ababa. Day one includes stops at Lake Hora near Bishoftu, coffee in Adama, and views of Fentale Mountain and Lake Beseka, so the full journey takes most of the day before you arrive for an afternoon game drive.

What is Awash Falls and will I see it up close?

Awash Falls is where the Awash River cascades through a narrow gorge: a dramatic sight especially when the river is high. You'll see it during the afternoon game drive on day one, and the riverbanks around the falls are where crocodiles, baboons and other game congregate, making it a prime wildlife viewing spot.

Is this tour private or shared with other travelers?

This is a private 2-day safari, so you travel with your own driver and guide in an air-conditioned vehicle. The guide speaks English and is with you throughout both days.

What stops do we make on the drive back to Addis Ababa?

On day two, after the morning game drive and breakfast, you'll stop in Bishoftu (also called Debre Zeyit) to see Lake Bishoftu, a crater lake surrounded by steep volcanic walls, and to have lunch before returning to Addis Ababa.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the driver and guide, air-conditioned vehicle, fuel, accommodation at Genet Hotel Awash, breakfast both mornings, coffee or tea, park entrance fees, and a scout fee. Bottled water is provided throughout.