National park · Ethiopia
Omo National Park
Enter Omo National Park: pay the entry fee (check at gate), drive from Addis Ababa (check road conditions), hike the Maji Mountains area in the dry season (Jun–Sep) for wildlife and scenery.
- 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
4,068 km² (1,571 sq mi)1,571 sq mi (4,068 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Jun–Sep
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
- 4,068 km² (1,571 sq mi)1,571 sq mi (4,068 km²)
- Park area is reported as about 4,068 km²; figures may vary by source.
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Addis Ababa
Omo National Park, Ethiopia's most remote protected area, spans savannah, riverine woodlands and the Maji Mountains, offering wildlife sightings and hot springs.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.
Size and age
4,068 km² (1,571 sq mi)1,571 sq mi (4,068 km²) · national park since 1980
Park area is reported as about 4,068 km²; figures may vary by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Addis Ababa.
Why go
- Large herds of buffalo, zebra and Grant's gazelle on open savannah.
- Maji Mountains peak (1541 m) offers panoramic views.
- Remote park with hot springs and riverine woodland.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCool, some rain (check).
- FebCool, some rain (check).
- MarCool, some rain (check).
- AprTransition to dry season (check).
- MayStart of dry season (check).
- JunDry, good wildlife viewing (check).
- JulDry, best for trekking (check).
- AugDry, good for hikes (check).
- SepDry, end of peak season (check).
- OctStart of short rains (check).
- NovRainy, roads may be poor (check).
- DecRainy, limited access (check).
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, zebra, Grant's gazelle, elandAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah (rare)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Birds (312 species) – especially waterfowl near Omo RiverMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | 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 north‑west; road is rough, time depends on conditions (check).
check
Open the page →
From Arba Minch (airport)
Road north‑west, time depends on conditions (check).
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters (Mui River) | Gate, visitor office, basic camp site, access to short trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Maji Mountains area | Main trekking zone, includes the 1541 m peak and surrounding savannah. | Guided hikes recommended. |
| Hot springs sector | Three natural hot springs near the southern plains. | Open, but no facilities. |
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; exact trailheads may vary.
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 (adult) | Free | person | 2026 estimate, check 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 trek beyond the headquarters area (check).check
- Camping
- Only in designated camp site at headquarters; wild camping prohibited (check).check
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed outside the camp site (check).check
- Pets
- Dogs not permitted in the park (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Arba Minch town
Hotels and guesthouses (check drive time).
In the park
Headquarters camp
Basic tents and bunkhouses for overnight stays (check).
Safety
Road conditions medium
Heat and dehydration medium
Wildlife encounters low
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
- Headquarters area reachable by vehicle with short walks.
- Trails are unpaved and steep; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use local guides and pay entry fees to support park management.
- Do not collect firewood; use provided camp stoves.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Omo National Park?
Entry is about 200–300 ETB per adult; tickets are bought at the headquarters gate.
What are the best hikes in Omo National Park?
The Maji Mountains summit trek (4–6 h, moderate) and the Omo River flat walk (2–3 h, easy) are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Omo National Park?
The dry season June to September offers the best wildlife viewing and trail conditions.
Do I need a guide for any activity?
A guide is mandatory for any trek beyond the headquarters area, including the Maji Mountains hike.
Is camping allowed anywhere in the park?
Camping is only permitted at the designated camp site near the headquarters; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Omo National Park
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