Awash National Park is a symbol of nature conservation in Ethiopia. The park contains valuable ecological, cultural, archaeological, geological, and economic resources. In Awash National Park, you can admire a waterfall, turquoise pools of natural hot springs, and the dormant Fentale volcano. The resulting crater, the Filwuha hot spring, the Illala Sala plain, and the Awash River with its gorge and magnificent waterfall form the park's most important ecological units. The Fentale volcano, with its 300-meter-high crater, is the highest peak in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. In its foothills are caves inhabited by spotted hyenas, literally "hyena caves." The hyena caves are among the park's attractions.

The beautiful Beisa oryx and the Soemmering gazelle are common here. Other animals include salt-billed dik-diks, greater and lesser kudus (especially in the Kudu Valley), Defassa waterbucks, warthogs, and black-and-white colobus monkeys, which prefer the riparian forests. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, black-backed jackals, caracals, servals, wild cats, and aardwolves can also be found in the park (although less easily spotted). However, with a little luck, you might spot them.

Birds

The park's birdlife is exceptional, and many Ethiopian endemic birds can be observed. Over 460 bird species have been recorded in Awash, from the common ostrich to the rarer secretary bird and Abyssinian hornbill. The scarlet bee-eater and Abyssinian roller add bold splashes of color. And there are many more species—from raptors to forest and savannah birds. Three bustard species: Kori bustard, Struthio-crested bustard, and Sulphur-crested bustard; secretary bird, African goshawk, white-bellied mason, yellow-throated sea eagle, African fish eagle, seedeater, and dusky wheatear; and various species of starlings and weaverbirds.

History of the park

Awash National Park was the first of two parks in Ethiopia to be officially recognized, following the advice of Petrides (1961) and UNESCO missions. The decision to grant it national park status was justified for the following reasons: First, most of the area in question was already protected as a private hunting reserve of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie, thus providing abundant game. Second, it is an area of exceptional physiographic and geological interest, where the Rift Valley extends. Furthermore, the reserve's landscape, wildlife, and proximity to the capital, Addis Ababa, make it ideally suited as an arid lowland national park (UNESCO MISSION, 1964).

The park covers an area of 756 square kilometers and consists primarily of acacia and grassland, but also offers an interesting variety of volcanic landscapes. Easily accessible from Addis Ababa, the 756 square kilometer Awash National Park is one of Ethiopia's most visited parks. Located 211 kilometers east of Addis Ababa from the edge of the city, it takes its name from the Awash Falls near the park headquarters.

Doho Lodge

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs is an eco-lodge located on the northern edge of Awash National Park. It offers accommodation with a selection of food and beverages. The rooms are self-contained and separated from neighbors. They are traditionally built and offer relaxation. The lodge is known for one of the best hot spring pools in the world. It is also ideal for bird watching, game drives and wildlife viewing, mountain and forest hikes, hyena spotting, and fishing.