Natural Attractions of Ethiopia
Danakil Depression
The Danakil Depression is located in the Afar region in northeastern Ethiopia, close to the border of Eritrea and Djibouti. It’s considered one of the hottest (average 34,4 C), driest (100-200 mm rainfall/year) and lowest regions on earth (125 meter below sea level). It is also one of the most geologically active regions with three tectonic plates meeting at the Afar Triple Junction. When tectonic plates move apart like at Danakil, it creates lave lakes, hot springs, geysers and fissures in the ground. Here the toxic gases saturate the air, the pH is extremely acidic and saline and metal concentrations are very high.
Simien Mountains
The Simien Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in Northen Ethiopia near Debark where the park Head Quarters are located. The park was made a world heritage site in 1978.
The park holds the highest mountain in Ethiopia; Ras Dashen which stands at 4535m. The high altitude of the ridge means the climate is quite cool allowing a number of species to live which are found no where else on earth. Some of these species include the Walia Ibex Ethiopian Wolf and gelada baboon.
Omo National Park and River
Omo National Park is on the west bank of the Omo River in the lower Omo valley. The park is 140 km long, stretching from the Neruze River in the south to the Sharum plain in the north, and up to 60 km wide where the Park Headquarters are situated. There are three hot springs, and the park is crossed by a number of rivers, all of which drain into the Omo. The park is home to the Surma, Mogudge and Dizi peoples, with the Bume (yanyatong) making much use of areas in the south and the Mursi crossing the Omo River from the east. These people are pastoralists and hunter-gatherers, but also cultivate a few crops on the river levees, and make extensive use of the river resources.
Lake Tana
Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and the second largest in Africa. Lake Tana covers an area of 3,000 square kilometers, while its catchment area covers 15,000 square kilometers. Four major rivers feed into the lake, including Gilgel Abbay, which flows from the south, Gumera and Rib from the northeast and Megech from the north. The Tana basin connects about two million people, the majority of whom subsist on agriculture, while the two largest cities in the Amhara region, Bahir Dar and Gondar, lie within the basin.
Blue Nile Falls
The Blue Nile Falls are located in the Ethiopian plateau, passing the Blue Nile River. It is one of the greatest falls in Africa. The Blue Nile River is a tributary of the Nile River which is the world’s longest river. It originates at Lake Tana. The waterfall is located on the upper course of the river. To reach the falls, which is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) away from Bahir Dar, drive south from Bahir Dar for about half an hour, and stop at Tis-Isat village. A rewarding but longer trek is to walk along the east bank all the way to the back of the falls; crossing the river by tankwa.