National park · Ethiopia
Maze National Park
Enter Maze National Park for a day of wildlife viewing and easy walks; entry fee is about ETB 250–500 per person (check), and a licensed guide is required. Best visited in the dry season Jan–May; avoid the rainy months Jun–Oct when roads may be impassable.
- 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
220 km² (85 sq mi)85 sq mi (220 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
Jan–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Nine 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.
- Southern Ethiopia ↗National parks (Nech Sar, Maze, Abijatta-Shalla) charge entry per person plus a vehicle fee and a mandatory local scout; bring birr in cash.
- Southern Ethiopia ↗In Omo Valley and Konso villages, ask before photographing people; payment for portraits is normal and is arranged through your guide.
At a glance
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Area
- 220 km² (85 sq mi)85 sq mi (220 km²)
- Area reported as 220 km²; some sources round to 200 km² (check).
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- Jan–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Maze National Park in southern Ethiopia protects the endangered Swayne’s hartebeest and a diverse savanna ecosystem, offering easy river‑loop walks and hot‑spring views.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2005.
Size and age
220 km² (85 sq mi)85 sq mi (220 km²) · national park since 2005
Area reported as 220 km²; some sources round to 200 km² (check).
Why go
- Home to the endangered Swayne’s hartebeest, one of Ethiopia’s key conservation sites.
- Over 196 bird species make it a top spot for birdwatching in the wet season.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, animals gather around water.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarDry, wildlife active.
- AprDry, pleasant temperatures.
- MayEnd of dry season, still good.
- JunStart of rains, trails may be muddy.
- JulRainy, some areas inaccessible.
- AugRainy, road conditions poor.
- SepRainy, birding good but access limited.
- OctTransition to dry, still wet.
- NovDry returning, good for wildlife.
- DecDry, cooler temperatures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swayne’s hartebeestAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Vervet monkeys, waterbucks, buffaloes, leopards, lionsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 196 bird speciesJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Addis Ababa
Drive 460 km (286 mi) south‑west (check route and travel time) via the main highway; turn off at Selam Ber and continue 22 km (14 mi) to the park gate.Drive 286 mi (460 km) south‑west (check route and travel time) via the main highway; turn off at Selam Ber and continue 14 mi (22 km) to the park gate.
7–8 h (check)
Open the page →
From Awasa
Drive 235 km (146 mi) north‑west (check route and travel time) on the main highway, then follow signs to the park entrance.Drive 146 mi (235 km) north‑west (check route and travel time) on the main highway, then follow signs to the park entrance.
4–5 h (check)
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & visitor centre | Ticket office, information desk, basic facilities. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
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 are approximate centre of the park.
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 | ETB 250–500 | person | 2026 estimate; check official site. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided hike permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- A licensed guide is required for all hikes and for any wildlife observation.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking stoves only.
- Camping
- Camping only allowed in designated campgrounds; otherwise stay in nearby hotels.
Where to stay
Near the park
Abebe Zeleke Hotel
Basic rooms in Selam Ber (check exact distance).
Near the park
Lewi Resort Wolaita
Resort with restaurant and pool (check exact distance).
Safety
Wild animal encounters medium
Road conditions in rainy season high
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
- Main gate area reachable by car; short walks on flat terrain.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides; support community lodgings.
- Do not litter; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Maze National Park?
Entry is about ETB 250–500 per person (≈$5–$10); check the latest price at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Maze National Park?
The River Loop trail (easy, 2–3 h) and the guided Swayne’s Hartebeest watch walk (moderate, half‑day) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Maze National Park?
The dry season Jan–May offers good wildlife viewing and accessible roads; the wet season is good for birding but many facilities close.
Do I need a guide in Maze National Park?
Yes, a licensed guide is required for all hikes and wildlife observation.
Are there accommodations inside the park?
No permanent lodging inside; stay in nearby Selam Ber hotels such as Abebe Zeleke or Lewi Resort.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Maze National Park
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