NECHISAR NATIONAL PARK
Nechisar National Park
ranks in the experience of many visitors as one of the most beautiful
places anywhere in the tropical savannahs. It is a small park of 514 square
kilometers, located on an outstandingly scenic part of the Rift Valley
floor between two lakes. The park is bounded to the east by the Amaro
hills that rise to about 2000m. To the north lie the perennially red waters
of Lake Abaya, which at 1,070 km is the second largest lake in Ethiopia
( the largest being Lake Tana). To the south is Lake Chamo, a small- clear
watered lake of 350 square kilometers. To the east is the town of Arba
Minch, headquarters of the North Omo Zone. Enclosed by the lakes and the
Amaro hills are the central plains that, seen from a distance, appear
white giving rise to the name nechsar (white grass). Extensive bushlands
fringe these plains and there are several steep volcanic hills. Elevation
is from 1,108 to 1,650m above sea level. There are two main rivers in
the park, the Sermule and the Kulfo. The rivers are both less than 10
meters across and rarely deeper than 1 meter. A small but biologically
rich ground water forest is supported by the high water table associated
with numerous springs along the escarpment west of the park (the name
Arba Minich means forty springs). This ground water forest is the only
one or its kind in East Africa. January to March is the hottest period
with daily maxima of around 350C. November and December are typically
the coldest months with maxima of around 280C. The main rains are in March
to May with a smaller peak in September to November. The average annual
rainfall is about 900 mm. Access: Arbaminch is 505 km from Addis Ababa,
on an all weather road. There is a new standard airport at Arba Minch.
From Arba Minch to the park, many of the tracks are very steep, it is
essential to use a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Camping: is allowed in the park,
you should have your own facilities including water and need to remove
your own rubbish but marvelous tours organize tours of camping and can
arrange and deliver every facility. Wildlife Viewing: one of the reasons
why Nechisar was proposed as a national park in the 1960’s was the large
number of wild animals still there and the fact that it was not yet inhabited
by people. The central plains support populations of Burchell’s Zebra,
Grant’s gazelle and the endemic Swayne’s hartebeest, a sub species. Other
mammals commonly seen in the park are leopard, jackal, spotted hyena,
greater kudu, waterbuck, klipspringer, dikdik, warthog, mountain reedbuck,
and Columbus & grivet monkeys. Less commonly seen are lion, wild dog,
serval cat, mongooses, bush big, porcupines and many small diurnal and
nocturnal mammals – altogether 84 species. In lakes Abaya and Chamo there
are hippos and crocodiles. To date 333 bird species have been recorded
including 3 endemic birds; the thick – billed raven; the watteled ibis;
and the mysterious Nechisar nightijar,Caprimulgus solala, known only from
the wing of a dead bird discovered in 1990. Boat trip on Lake Chamo is
interesting and popular to visit the hippos and crocodiles.