Omo National Park

Omo National Park is in south-western Ethiopia, towards the border with South Sudan and Kenya, and west of the Omo River.

Understand

Located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region on the west bank of the Omo River, the park covers approximately 4,068 square kilometres (1,571 sq mi), about 870 kilometres (540 mi) southwest of Addis Ababa; across the Omo is the Mago National Park and the Tama Wildlife Reserve.

History

Omo National Park was founded in 1980. In October 2008, African Parks announced they were giving up the management of the Omo National Park and leaving Ethiopia. African Parks stated that sustainable management of the Ethiopian parks is incompatible with 'the irresponsible way of living of some of the ethnic groups. The organization has trouble dealing with the indigenous population trying to continue its traditional way of life within the park borders.

Landscape

Major land features include the Omo River on the east, the Maji Mountains, the Sharum, and Sai plains to the north and west, and the Illibai plains and Dirga Hills to the south. There are three hot springs, and the park is crossed by some rivers, all of which drain into the Omo. The Mui River crosses the middle of the park before joining the Omo River. Much of the park is at 800 metres (2,600 ft) but the southern part by the Neruze River drops to 450 metres (1,480 ft). The highest peak of Maji Mountains which is located within the park is 1,541 metres (5,056 ft) above sea level.

Flora and fauna

The park offers excellent opportunities to view wildlife with 73 species of mammals and 312 species of birds. It is home to large herds of buffalos, zebras, elands, beisa oryxes, tiangs, Lelwel hartebeests, dik-diks, bushbucks, reedbucks, and Grant's gazelles. Other mammals that are elusively rare to find include elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, bushpigs, African wild dogs, giraffes, oribis, klipspringers, greater kudus, hyenas, black rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, and warthogs. Primates such as the Mantled guerezas, Olive baboons, and De Brazza monkeys also live within forested areas.

The vegetation of Omo National Park is mostly open savannah, thickets, and riverine woodland.

Get in

Although an airstrip was built near the park headquarters on the Mui River, this park is not easily reachable; the Lonely Planet guide Ethiopia and Eritrea describes Omo National Park as "Ethiopia's most remote park."

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