Ethiopia, a nation with diverse landscapes and uncommon wildlife, offers fantastic experiences for those who enjoy the outdoors and adventure. The wild Simien Mountains and the bizarre Danakil Depression landscapes are only two of the country’s many natural wonders.
The article will guide you through these breathtaking environments and provide tales of strange animal encounters, such as those with Ethiopian wolves and Gelada baboons. The nation is a must-visit destination for all avid travellers because of its unique cultural past and profusion of animals.
Ethiopia is mostly known as a destination for cultural tourism, and with its fascinating history and vibrant culture, many visitors are content to concentrate only on this facet of the country. On the other hand, because of its enormous range of habitats, it does have a very broad biodiversity. With over 800 species, including at least 30 that are indigenous to the nation, birds are also noteworthy.
At times, images of buffalo, giraffes, lions, and elephants are also included. By booking an Ethiopian Airlines ticket, you can travel to discover Ethiopia’s wildlife. The airlines provide numerous services to their customers.
Bale Mountains
At 4,200 metres, the lava-covered Bale Mountains are home to one of the largest forests in Ethiopia, as well as 78 different mammal species, like the thriving population of Ethiopian wolves, mountain nyalas, Menelik’s bushbuck, Bale monkeys, and no fewer than eight species of rodents. Additionally, the region is dotted with rivers, fertile grassland, and extensive alpine moorland.
These rodents are the only food the wolf eats, especially the mole rats. The black and white colobus monkey, olive baboon, leopard rock hyrax, warthog, huge forest hog, and spotted hyena are among the other animals that call this place home. The innumerable species of birds that may be seen here include the yellow-fronted parrot, blue-winged geese, and spot-breasted plover, which are unique to these mountains.
Simien Mountains
With Ras Dashen reaching 4,500 metres, the Simiens are Ethiopia’s biggest and tallest mountain range. The mountains provide amazing views and some fantastic options for longer treks and hikes. The fact that locals live inside Ethiopia’s national parks surprises many tourists, but that is part of the agreement between the communities and the government.
The majority of people show respect for animals, and it’s not unusual to see many gelada baboons hanging around near communities. Compared to their cousins, they are rather laid-back and kind, and they spend their days in great groups searching these high meadows for food. Here, too, Walia ibex are visible in seemingly inaccessible locations on the rock walls.
Omo Valley
The Omo Valley, among many mountain regions, is substantially warmer and wetter due to its lower height. The national parks here are home to lions, giraffes, elephants, buffalo, eland, cheetahs, and numerous plains animals. The banks of the river are lush and productive. The forest on the banks of the river is home to a large number of monkeys, crocodiles, hippos, and a profusion of birds.
Among the notable species are the vervet and black-and-white colobus monkeys, Pel’s fishing owl, and De Brazza’s monkey, mostly found in the tropical woods of Uganda and Congo. A variety of birds may be heard, if not seen, from the deep vegetation, including carmine bee-eaters, white-cheeked bee-eaters, black-headed gonolek, orioles, weavers, barbets, cuckoos, African fish eagles, and warblers.
Gambella National Park
Because so few people are aware of it, it’s not on anyone’s list of places they really must see. Boma National Park in South Sudan borders Gambella, an area of hot swampy lowlands crisscrossed by three sizable rivers that offer over 27,000 sq. km of exceptional animal habitat, of which 4,500 are in Gambella.
This immense swath of little-known or explored wilderness is merged into a protected area larger than the whole ecology of the Serengeti, Kafue, or Ruaha National Park. The primary sources of income for the Anuak and Nuer people who inhabit the area are fishing and cow herding.
The Danakil Depression
There are no other landscapes on Earth like those seen in the Danakil Depression. An unearthly landscape is created by the seething lava lakes, the enormous salt plains that extend forever, and the vibrant mineral deposits. Even though it’s a hostile and terrible environment, something is captivating about its stark beauty.
The ability of species such as the Afar people of the Danakil Depression and the Gelada baboons of the Simien Mountains to adapt to and thrive in such a wide range of environmental circumstances in Ethiopia is evidence of the remarkable diversity of life on our planet
