National park · Ethiopia
Geraille National Park
Enter Geraille National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check) and hike the short Savanna Loop (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in the cool season; avoid the rainy months.Enter Geraille National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check) and hike the short Savanna Loop (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in the cool season; avoid the rainy months.
- 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
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
approximate
Established
2006
Best months
Nov–Feb
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
- 1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
- Approximate; official park sources give varying figures for the total protected area.
- Established
- 2006
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Addis Ababa
Geraille National Park protects savanna ecosystems in Southern Ethiopia's Borena region, hosting giraffe, African elephant and black rhinoceros, and supports the cultural heritage of the Borena peoples.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2006.
Size and age
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²) · national park since 2006
Approximate; official park sources give varying figures for the total protected area.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Addis Ababa.
Why go
- Savanna wildlife including giraffe, African elephant and black rhinoceros.
- Open landscapes and cultural sites of the Borena peoples.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, mild temperatures.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarStart of short rains.
- AprIncreasing rain, some trails muddy.
- MayRainy, some roads difficult.
- JunHeavy rains, many paths closed.
- JulPeak rainy season.
- AugContinued heavy rain.
- SepRain tapering, some trails recover.
- OctDrying, wildlife active.
- NovCool, dry, good game viewing.
- DecDry, comfortable temperatures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giraffe, African elephant, black rhinocerosOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Various antelope and bird speciesOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
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
Road: 900 km (559 mi) southeast by bus or hired vehicle; travel time about 13–15 h.Road: 559 mi (900 km) southeast by bus or hired vehicle; travel time about 13–15 h.
13–15 h
Open the page →
From Moyle
120 km (75 mi) north‑east by local minibus; about 2 h.75 mi (120 km) north‑east by local minibus; about 2 h.
2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate and visitor centre | Entry point, information desk, ticket office. | Open daily. |
| Savanna Loop trailhead | Start of the 2 km (1.2 mi) easy loop with wildlife viewing points.Start of the 1.2 mi (2 km) easy loop with wildlife viewing points. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Elephant and rhino viewing area | Open grasslands where large herbivores are often seen. | Guided walks recommended. |
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.
Approximate central coordinates for orientation.
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 150–250 | person | Check latest rate at gate. |
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 wildlife‑focused walk beyond the main loop.
- Camping
- Only permitted in designated campgrounds; otherwise stay in nearby towns.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited outside designated areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Moyle town
Basic guesthouses and lodges about 20 km (12 mi) from the park.Basic guesthouses and lodges about 12 mi (20 km) from the park.
Near the park
Local community camps
Simple campsites with basic facilities; book through park office.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Road conditions 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
- Main gate and visitor centre have vehicle access and short, level paths.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in community‑run lodges; support local conservation fees.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep to marked trails.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Geraille National Park?
Entry is around 150–250 ETB per person; confirm the exact price at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Geraille National Park?
The 2 km Savanna Loop is easy and family‑friendly; for wildlife, join a guided elephant walk (moderate).
When is the best time to visit Geraille National Park?
Dry months Jan–Feb and Oct–Dec offer comfortable weather and good wildlife viewing.
Do I need a guide for any activity?
A guide is required for wildlife‑focused walks beyond the main loop and for any elephant or rhino sightings.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
Only in designated campgrounds; otherwise stay in nearby towns or community camps.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Geraille National Park
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