Awash National Park, Ethiopia (Center on Interactive Map)

Awash National Park consists of the Fantelle Volcano and semi-arid savannah. Plenty of camels and cattle in this park.

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Trips

Africa: Egypt and Ethiopia 1/16/2011: We woke up early in our attempt to find the Sombre Rock Chat and Yellow-throated Seedeater on the slopes of Mt. Fantelle.

It seems that there had been some recent trouble in the area as we were required to bring two scouts with us to the mountain. We took the car as far up the mountain as was possible, and then we started out on foot.

Little did either of us know, the plan for that day was to climb 2000 meters to the crater of the volcano. The climb up was not too difficult until we got near the rim where the path was a bit steep and slippery.

Coming back down was really difficult, though. We had not carried enough water since we thought we would only be walking for an hour or so. Also, we had not eaten anything. In addition, it was especially hot coming back. We arrived back to the road, exhausted, eight hours after starting the hike. The highlight of the hike was dipping on the Yellow Throated Seedeater.

That night, we stayed in a hotel near the Awash Falls. There is where we found out, too late, about a "Hyena Cave" nearby from whence 200 hyenas exit at dusk. Maybe next time.

Previous Visit (Lake Ziway: 1/15/2011)
Next Visit (Gondar: 1/18/2011)

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Lifelists

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