3- Day Maze & Nech Sar National Parks Wildlife Safari

Arba Minch • Nech Sar National Park • Lake Chamo • Maze National ParkDuration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

Starting Point: Addis Ababa

Destination: Arba Minch, Nech Sar & Maze National Parks

Focus: Wildlife, nature, photography and birdwatching

Safari Highlights

• Nech Sar National Park
• Lake Chamo boat safari
• Lake Chamo’s famous crocodiles
• Hippopotamus viewing
• Swayne’s hartebeest
• Maze National Park wildlife photography
• Birdwatching
• Southern Ethiopia’s Rift Valley landscapes.

DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA – ARBA MINCH – NECH SAR NATIONAL PARK – LAKE CHAMO

Take a morning domestic flight from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch. Upon arrival, meet your Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel guide and driver and begin your southern Ethiopia wildlife adventure.

Drive towards Nech Sar National Park, located between Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo. The park is known for its open grasslands, woodland and diverse wildlife. Continue to Lake Chamo for a boat excursion along the lake. One of the highlights is the famous Crocodile Market, where large Nile crocodiles can often be seen resting along the shoreline. Hippos and numerous waterbirds can also be observed during the boat trip.

Possible wildlife:

• Nile crocodiles
• Hippopotamus
• Burchell’s zebra
• Swayne’s hartebeest
• Grant’s gazelle
• Greater kudu
• Baboons and monkeys
• Pelicans, fish eagles, herons and other waterbirds.

Late afternoon, return to Arba Minch.

Overnight: Arba Minch

DAY 2: ARBA MINCH – MAZE NATIONAL PARK – FULL-DAY GAME DRIVE

After an early breakfast, depart Arba Minch for Maze National Park, approximately 180–200 km away depending on the route. Maze is characterized by savanna grassland, woodland, shrubland and riverine forest.

Upon arrival, complete the park formalities and begin your game drive.
The main attraction is the Swayne’s hartebeest, an endangered endemic subspecies for which Maze is one of its important remaining habitats. Spend the afternoon exploring different habitats of the park, looking for wildlife and photographing the landscapes and birdlife.

Possible wildlife:

• Swayne’s hartebeest
• Waterbuck
• Greater and lesser kudu
• Warthog
• African buffalo
• Bushbuck
• Leopard
• Lion
• Cheetah
• Spotted hyena
• Olive baboon and vervet monkey
• Numerous savanna and woodland bird species

Wildlife sightings depend on season, weather and animal movements.

Overnight: Maze National Park, camping or available park accommodation, subject to current availability and park arrangements.

DAY 3: MAZE NATIONAL PARK – MORNING GAME DRIVE – ARBA MINCH

Wake early for your final morning game drive. Early morning is an excellent time for wildlife observation because many animals are active before the heat of the day. Continue searching for Swayne’s hartebeest and other mammals while enjoying the changing light over the savanna. Maze has recorded more than 39 species of large and medium-sized mammals and around 196 bird species. After the game drive, begin the return journey to Arba Minch. Arrive in Arba Minch and transfer to the airport for your onward domestic flight to Addis Ababa. End of the 3-day wildlife adventure with Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel.