National park · Ethiopia
Awash National Park
Visit Awash National Park: pay the entry fee at the gate, drive the main road (3 h from Addis Ababa) and hike the Waterfalls trail (2 km (1.2 mi)) in the morning; avoid the hot‑springs area in the hottest months.Visit Awash National Park: pay the entry fee at the gate, drive the main road (3 h from Addis Ababa) and hike the Waterfalls trail (1.2 mi (2 km)) in the morning; avoid the hot‑springs area in the hottest 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
More
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
1966
Best months
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.
- Eastern Ethiopia ↗Do not travel into the Ogaden or the rural Somali Region beyond Jijiga; the UK and US advise against all travel to much of it. Check your government's current advice before booking.
- Eastern Ethiopia ↗Harar's old town is best seen with a local guide; the hyena feeding and the old houses are usually arranged through your hotel.
- Eastern Ethiopia ↗Bring birr in cash. ATMs exist in Harar and Dire Dawa but fail often; cards are accepted in few places.
At a glance
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Area
- 1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1966
- Best months
- Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Awash National Park protects savanna wildlife and dramatic river gorges; visitors can see hyenas, baboons and waterfalls on short drives, while the remote north needs a 4×4 for hot‑springs and rugged trails.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1966.
Size and age
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²) · national park since 1966
check
Why go
- Observe hyenas, baboons and a range of savanna wildlife.
- See the dramatic Awash River gorges and waterfalls.
- Visit the hot‑springs and the remote northern landscape (4×4 required).
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- Jandry, cool
- Febdry, cool
- Marwarming, still dry
- Aprwarming, low rain
- Maystart of rains, still walkable
- Junrainy, road may be muddy
- Julrainy, hotter
- Augrainy, road issues
- Seprain tapering, cooler
- Octdry, pleasant
- Novdry, cool
- Decdry, cool
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HyenasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Olive baboonsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Soemmerring's gazellesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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
Drive 200 km (124 mi) via Addis‑Ababa–Adama Expressway, then follow Highway 4 east to the park gate.Drive 124 mi (200 km) via Addis‑Ababa–Adama Expressway, then follow Highway 4 east to the park gate.
3 h
Open the page →
From Dire Dawa
Drive west on Highway 4, about 120 km (75 mi) to the gate.Drive west on Highway 4, about 75 mi (120 km) to the gate.
2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance (Metehara/Awash) | Gate, visitor desk, parking. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Southern area | Waterfalls, river walk, wildlife viewing. | Standard car on paved road. |
| Northern area | Hot springs, remote trails. | 4×4 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 from park entrance marker; approximate for other points.
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 | 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
- Camping
- Only in designated sites; otherwise prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use provided stoves.
- Night travel on Highway 4
- Discouraged due to heavy truck traffic and poor lighting.
Where to stay
In the park
Awash Falls Lodge
Bungalows 10 km (6.2 mi) south of the gate; basic rooms, restaurant.Bungalows 6.2 mi (10 km) south of the gate; basic rooms, restaurant.
Near the park
Addis Ababa
Wide range of hotels, 3 h drive to the park.
Safety
Road traffic medium
Heat and dehydration 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
- Southern area reachable by standard car with short walks.
- Northern trails steep and require 4×4; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at the park‑run lodge to support local employment.
- Carry out all litter; avoid feeding wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Awash National Park?
Entry fees are set by the park authority; current price is not published online – check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Awash National Park?
The short Waterfalls trail (2 km) is easy and scenic; the longer Hot Springs route requires a 4×4 and is moderate difficulty.
When is the best time to visit Awash National Park?
October to November offers dry, pleasant weather; January to May is also good, while June to August can be rainy and road‑challenging.
Can I camp in the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated areas; otherwise prohibited.
Is a 4×4 vehicle necessary?
A standard car reaches the southern attractions; a 4×4 is needed for the northern hot‑springs and remote trails.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Awash National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?