National park · Ethiopia
Kafta Sheraro National Parkካፍታ ሸራሮ ብሔራዊ ፓርክ
Enter Kafta Sheraro National Park: pay the entry ticket (check), drive from Mekelle (≈6 h) or join a guided river walk in the dry season; avoid the July‑August rains.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,176 km² (840 sq mi)840 sq mi (2,176 km²)
approximate
Established
2014
Best months
Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Ethiopia ↗Apply for the Ethiopian e-visa only on the official portal before you fly; visas on arrival have been suspended for most foreign visitors (check the current status for your passport).
- Ethiopia ↗Check your government's advice zone by zone before booking any domestic flight; in 2026 the UK and US advise against all travel to Amhara and Tigray, and the US also to Afar.
- Ethiopia ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention below about 2,000 m, altitude, and yellow fever — Ethiopia is itself a yellow fever risk country, so your next destination may ask for the certificate.
- Ethiopia ↗Confirm times in writing: local 'Ethiopian time' counts hours from about 6 am, so 2 o'clock local can mean 8 am.
- Northern Ethiopia ↗UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all advise against travel to parts of the north; check your own government's page before booking anything.
- Northern Ethiopia ↗Former conflict areas in Tigray and along the Eritrean border were mined; do not walk off marked routes or roads.
- Northern Ethiopia ↗Flights to Lalibela were suspended on 24 September 2026; confirm any domestic leg with the airline before paying.
At a glance
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Area
- 2,176 km² (840 sq mi)840 sq mi (2,176 km²)
- Sources give 2,176 km² (research estimate) and 1,878 km² (WDPA); the exact managed area varies (check).
- Established
- 2014
- Best months
- Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Kafta Sheraro National Park protects dry lowland woodlands and savanna along the Tekeze River, hosting a key African elephant population in northern Ethiopia.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority.
Size and age
2,176 km² (840 sq mi)840 sq mi (2,176 km²) · national park since 2014
Sources give 2,176 km² (research estimate) and 1,878 km² (WDPA); the exact managed area varies (check).
Why go
- Large African elephant population in a semi‑arid lowland setting.
- Riverine woodlands along the Tekeze provide wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Remote landscape contrasts sharply with Ethiopia’s highland parks.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool; good for wildlife spotting.
- FebDry, mild.
- MarDry, warming.
- AprEnd of dry season, comfortable heat.
- MayStart of rains; trails may get muddy.
- JunIncreasing rain, road conditions variable.
- JulPeak wet season, many paths impassable.
- AugHeavy rains, limited access.
- SepRain tapering, some trails recover.
- OctDry, clear skies, optimal for trekking.
- NovDry, cooler evenings.
- DecDry, pleasant temperatures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African elephantAll year · Year‑round; best sightings in dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Roan antelope, waterbuck, hyena, jackalAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wetland birds (e.g., storks, herons)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mekelle
Road: 600 km (373 mi) northwest; minibus or 4WD takes ~6 h; last fuel stop at Shire.Road: 373 mi (600 km) northwest; minibus or 4WD takes ~6 h; last fuel stop at Shire.
≈6 h
From Addis Ababa
Fly to Mekelle (≈1 h) then road transfer as above; or long‑distance bus (≈12 h).
≈12–14 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park gate / visitor centre | Entry point, ticket office, basic facilities. | Open daily; fees paid at gate. |
| Tekeze river corridor | Riverine woodlands, wildlife viewing platforms. | Walkable from gate; guided walks recommended. |
| Savanna interior | Open grassland, elephant routes. | Guided only; off‑road vehicles prohibited. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of the park; gate location based on official maps.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Exact fee not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the visitor centre area.
- Camping
- Not allowed outside designated camps; stay in Shire or Humera.
- Firearms
- Prohibited; only park rangers may carry.
- Off‑road vehicles
- Not allowed in interior zones without escort.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Shire town
Basic hotels and guesthouses ~30 km (19 mi) from gate.Basic hotels and guesthouses ~19 mi (30 km) from gate.
Near the park
Humera
Larger hotels, airport access.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Human‑elephant conflict medium
Security instability medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Park gate reachable by standard vehicle; short walks are easy.
- Longer treks involve uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Avoid supporting illegal gold mining; report any activity.
- Choose locally owned accommodation in Shire or Humera.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kafta Sheraro National Park?
The park charges an entry fee, but the exact amount is not published online; check at the gate (estimated low ETB range).
What are the best hikes in Kafta Sheraro National Park?
Guided river walk along the Tekeze (easy) and the savanna trek to the seasonal waterhole (moderate) are the main options; both need a park guide.
When is the best time to visit Kafta Sheraro National Park?
Dry months October to April offer clear roads and good wildlife viewing; avoid July‑August when heavy rains can close trails.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not permitted; stay in nearby towns such as Shire or Humera.
Is the park safe given recent conflicts?
Security can be variable; consult current travel advisories and travel with a local guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kafta Sheraro National Park
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