Nech Sar National Park is a 514 square kilometre protected area in southern Ethiopia, located near the town of Arba Minch in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, covering the narrow land bridge between Lakes Abaya and Chamo — two of the Ethiopian Rift Valley’s major lakes. The park is renowned for its large Burchell’s zebra population, one of the biggest zebra concentrations in Ethiopia, and for the abundant Nile crocodile and hippopotamus of Lake Chamo. The park holds 273 recorded bird species, approximately 31% of Ethiopia’s avifauna, of which 21 are endemic to northeast Africa, with the thick-billed raven found only within Ethiopia and the Nech Sar nightjar known only from within the park. The park sits roughly 510 km south of Addis Ababa, with Arba Minch as the nearest city and main base for all visits.
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Nech Sar National Park Activity Overview 2026
| Activity | Duration | Difficulty | Approx. Cost (USD) | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Drive on Nech Sar Plains | 3–5 hours | Easy (vehicle) | $20–$60 incl. fees | Nov–Feb |
| Lake Chamo Boat Safari | 2–3 hours | Easy | $15–$30 | Year-round |
| Kulfo Groundwater Forest Hike | 2–4 hours | Moderate | $5–$15 | Oct–Mar |
| Birding in the Park | Half day | Easy | $20 entry + guide | Nov–Apr |
| Filwoha Hot Springs Visit | 1–2 hours | Easy | Included in entry | Year-round |
| Bridge of God Viewpoint | 1–2 hours | Easy | Included in entry | Oct–Mar |
| Crocodile Market Visit (Lake Chamo) | 2 hours | Easy | $15–$25 | Year-round |
| Camping in the Park | Overnight | Moderate | $5–$10 | Nov–Feb |
Nech Sar National Park Location and How to Get There
Nechisar is about 2 km from Arba Minch, roughly 510 km south of Addis Ababa, and the entrance to the national park is reached by driving past the Arba Minch airport in the north of town. Arba Minch can be accessed both by road and by air, and Ethiopian Airlines operates a daily scheduled flight to Arba Minch. The flight from Addis Ababa takes approximately one hour, making it the most practical option for visitors with limited time. By road, the drive from Addis Ababa takes eight to ten hours on the main highway through Hawassa and Sodo.
A four-wheel drive vehicle or a very powerful two-wheel drive vehicle such as a Toyota Land Cruiser is required to visit the park, as there are very steep slopes to overcome, and when it rains the ground softens quickly and the park cannot be visited. All vehicle hire and guide arrangements can be made through the park headquarters or tour operators in Arba Minch town. Both national tour companies and local tour operators in Arba Minch can arrange your trip, and Bajajs (Tuk Tuks) can be used to explore the city while boats are available for seeing the crocodiles and hippos in Lake Chamo.
Wildlife in Nech Sar National Park
Nech Sar’s most visible large mammals are the zebra herds that graze the white grass plains of the central land bridge, with concentrations sometimes numbering hundreds of animals. Other animals to be seen include Bushbuck, Swayne’s Hartebeest, Burchell’s Zebra, Grant’s Gazelle, Guenther’s Dik-dik, Greater Kudu, Crocodile, and Anubis Baboon, with the most commonly seen antelope being the large greater kudu and the small Guenther’s dik-dik.
Other animals in the park include Hippopotamuses, African hunting dogs, lions, and leopards, though these are rarely seen. Lions are present in Nechisar National Park, but sightings are uncommon. Visitors should maintain honest expectations: due to long-term neglect, poaching, and overgrazing, wildlife numbers are lower in this park than they once were. Zebra, warthog, baboon, and crocodile sightings remain reliable, while large predator sightings are not guaranteed. The groundwater forest is home to the park’s primates, including the Anubis baboon, grivet, vervet monkeys, and the black and white Mantled Guereza.
Birding in Nech Sar National Park
A wide variety of plains game share 514 km2 of savannah, dry bush, and groundwater forest that is also habitat for 333 recorded bird species, three of which are endemic: the Thick-billed raven, the wattled ibis, and the mysterious Nechisar Nightjar. The park also has a noted population of kingfishers, storks, pelicans, flamingos, and African fish eagles.
Nechisar National Park is considered an important habitat for birds including kingfishers, storks, pelicans, flamingos, and African fish eagles. The Nechisar Nightjar is among the rarest endemic birds in Africa, known from only a single specimen collected within the park. Serious birders should arrange an experienced local guide, as the nightjar requires a dedicated night excursion. Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya both attract large concentrations of waterbirds, including cormorants, marabou storks, ospreys, and pelicans, making shoreline and boat-based birding particularly rewarding. The park also records the northern white-tailed bushlark, another species of interest for visiting birders. The diversity of habitats within the park gives birders excellent opportunities to see a vast range of Ethiopia’s avifauna across a single visit.
Lake Chamo Boat Safari and the Crocodile Market
A popular excursion from the park is a boat trip on Lake Chamo to the “Crocodile Market,” a well-known sun-basking spot for large Nile crocodiles. The boat safari can be organised with the local guide association or independently upon arrival in the park, and guides take visitors across Lake Chamo where crocodiles and various waterbirds can be seen. Besides crocodiles, there are many hippos and large birds including pelicans, marabou, and osprey to see on the water, and the boat trip takes approximately two hours.
A crocodile farm is located near the south shore of Lake Abaya, popularly known as the Crocodile Market. It is not recommended to visit the crocodile market on your own through the jungle, as there are mostly no paths and the risk is considerable. Always go with a park ranger or licensed guide. Boat trips are arranged at the park tourist office near the lake shore. Prices for boat hire have increased since earlier published figures and visitors should confirm current rates directly at the park office, budgeting approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Ethiopian birr for a full boat trip in 2026.
Game Drives on the Nech Sar Plains
Game drives across the white grass plains are the park’s signature activity, offering reliable zebra sightings alongside warthog, gazelle, and baboon. The main wildlife area is the Nechisar Plains, where you can see plains zebra, Grant’s gazelle, and Swayne’s hartebeest, though due to bad road conditions, reaching the plains is a considerable mission. A 4WD vehicle is not optional here — it is a firm requirement. Game drives typically depart from the main park gate in the early morning, between 6:00 am and 7:30 am, when animals are most active and temperatures are manageable. The central plains can take 30 to 60 minutes to reach from the gate depending on road conditions. The park has received support from EWCA and a boat patrol on Lake Chamo monitors crocodile populations and deters illegal fishing.
Kulfo Groundwater Forest and the Forty Springs
The park protects white savanna grass, acacia woodland, and groundwater forests fed by springs emerging from the land bridge, known locally as “Forty Springs” — the Amharic meaning of Arba Minch. The park provides good grounds for hikes, especially along the Kulfo groundwater forest to discover the origin of the forty springs set at the base of the cliff, and there is a pool associated with these springs for swimmers.
Underlying the land bridge are permeable volcanic aquifers through which water percolates from the surrounding escarpment, emerging as the Forty Springs that sustain the groundwater forest. The groundwater forest and Kulfo riparian forest dominate the western part of the park, while the Sermele riparian forest is found in the eastern section. The Forty Springs forest is one of the very few groundwater forests in eastern Africa, making it ecologically significant beyond its role as a visitor attraction. The springs are located on the road approximately 3 km inside from the park entrance and can be reached on foot. Primates, including Mantled Guereza colobus monkeys, are regularly seen within the forest canopy along this route.
The Bridge of God Isthmus
The park includes the “Bridge of God,” an isthmus between Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo, and the Nechisar white grass plains to the east of the Lakes. The escarpment stretching between Chamo and Abaya lakes is locally called the Bridge of God, giving rise to a legend that both lakes were once a single entity. The narrow neck of land sits at around 1,100 metres above sea level and provides wide-angle views over both lakes simultaneously. Lake Abaya measures 1,162 square kilometres and lies at a higher elevation than Lake Chamo at 317 square kilometres, and the alkaline chemistry of Abaya gives it a characteristic brownish colour, while Chamo is notably clearer. The contrasting colours of the two lakes, visible from the escarpment edge, are one of the park’s most photographed scenes. Sunrise and late afternoon light make the best times for this viewpoint.
Filwoha Hot Springs and Southeast Park Attractions
The hot spring in the southeast part of the park is a key attraction site, together with the fringing forest of the Sermalle River. Park elevations range from 1,108 metres above sea level at Lake Chamo up to 1,650 metres at Mount Tabala, which is renowned for its hot springs. The Filwoha hot springs area is less frequently visited than the Crocodile Market or game drive circuits, making it one of the quieter corners of the park for those who prefer solitude. The southeastern zone also holds dense riparian forest that supports different bird species from those found on the open plains, including various forest-dependent sunbirds and raptors. Access to this area requires a full-day excursion with a guide and is best combined with a game drive on the plains.
Best Time to Visit Nech Sar National Park 2026
The best time to visit Nechisar National Park is during the dry season months from November to February, as April, May, September, and October are the wettest months and the road to Nechisar Plains can become impassable during heavy rain. Monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean bring the majority of rain during the first rainy season between March and May, and prevailing winds from the Atlantic bring a second shorter rainy season between September and November.
| Month | Rain | Temp (Max) | Road Access | Wildlife Viewing | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Dry | 35°C | Good | Excellent | Peak |
| Feb | Dry | 35°C | Good | Excellent | Peak |
| Mar | Rains begin | 33°C | Fair | Good | Good |
| Apr |
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