Arsi Mountains National Park- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Arsi Mountains National Park, located in Ethiopia's Oromia Region, encompasses a significant portion of the Ethiopian Highlands, covering 10,876 km² of diverse and rugged terrain. Established in 2011, the park protects a range of elevations and habitats—from montane forests to alpine grasslands—across prominent geological features like Mount Chilalo (4,036 m), Mount Kaka, the Galama Ridges, and the Dhara Dilfekar block. These mountains form the southern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, and their volcanic origins have shaped calderas, valleys, and alpine lakes that feed key rivers such as the Awash and Shebelle. The park harbors 30 endemic or regionally significant mammal species, including the endangered mountain nyala, Ethiopian wolf, and Menelik's bushbuck. Its three main vegetation zones support plant species like Erica arborea, giant lobelia, and Afro-alpine herbs, while also providing habitat for a wide range of birdlife—99 species recorded to date. In addition to its ecological richness, the park offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife observation, and birdwatching in a high-altitude setting shaped by both natural forces and traditional pastoralist cultures.