National park · Ethiopia
Mago National Park
Enter Mago NP: pay 300 ETB per person, drive 2‑3 h from the Omo River gate, hike the Mago‑Neri trail in dry season (Oct‑Mar); avoid rainy months (Jun‑Sep).
- 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
2,160 km² (834 sq mi)834 sq mi (2,160 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
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
- 2,160 km² (834 sq mi)834 sq mi (2,160 km²)
- Park covers about 2,160 km² of savannah grassland and bush (official figure).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Mago National Park in southwestern Ethiopia protects extensive savannah ecosystems and a rich mix of wildlife such as giraffe, elephant, lion and leopard, while the surrounding Omo River valley is home to diverse ethnic groups like the Aari, Hamar and Mursi.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1979.
Size and age
2,160 km² (834 sq mi)834 sq mi (2,160 km²) · national park since 1979
Park covers about 2,160 km² of savannah grassland and bush (official figure).
Why go
- Savannah grassland and bush with abundant wildlife including giraffe, elephant and lion.
- Cultural diversity of Aari, Hamar and other ethnic groups along the Omo River.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, good wildlife spotting.
- MarEnd of dry season.
- AprWarm, still dry.
- MayWarm, low rain.
- JunRainy start, roads muddy.
- JulRainfall peaks.
- AugRainy, heat high.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctDry, cooler.
- NovDry, comfortable.
- DecDry, cooler nights.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, hartebeast, roan antelopeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of gallery forest (kingfishers, bee-eaters)Oct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Arba Minch
Drive north on the Omo road, then turn east to the park gate.
2–3 h
From Addis Ababa
Fly to Arba Minch (≈1 h), then drive as above.
≈4 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gate area | Visitor centre, ticket office and short savannah loops. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Mago‑Neri trail | Main 15 km (9.3 mi) hike along the Mago and Neri rivers, wildlife viewing points.Main 9.3 mi (15 km) hike along the Mago and Neri rivers, wildlife viewing points. | Guided or self‑guided in dry season. |
| Neri River site | Gallery forest and birdwatching spot. | Open, short walk from trail. |
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; park spans a large area.
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 300 | 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
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking stoves.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites near the gate; otherwise stay in Arba Minch.
- Guides
- Required for the Mago‑Neri trail during the rainy season (Jun‑Sep).
Where to stay
Near the park
Arba Minch hotels
Range from budget guesthouses to mid‑range hotels, 30 km (19 mi) north of the park.Range from budget guesthouses to mid‑range hotels, 19 mi (30 km) north of the park.
In the park
Park gate campsite
Basic sites with pit toilets; book through the park office.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters low
Road conditions in rainy season 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 reachable by car; short walks are level.
- Longer trails have uneven ground and river crossings, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑run lodges in Arba Minch.
- Avoid buying souvenirs made from wildlife parts.
- Use park‑approved guides to ensure revenue stays locally.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mago National Park?
The entry fee is about 300 ETB per person (check for the latest price).
What are the best hikes in Mago National Park?
The Mago‑Neri trail (≈15 km) offers the best wildlife and river scenery; it is doable in a day in the dry season.
When is the best time to visit Mago National Park?
Visit in the dry months October to March for comfortable hiking and good wildlife viewing.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is required for the long trail during the rainy season; otherwise you may hike independently with a map.
Where can I stay near the park?
Accommodation is available in Arba Minch town (hotels and guesthouses) and a small campsite at the park gate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Mago National Park
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