Kafta Shiraro National Park
One of the country’s Elephant ranges is situated in the northern tip of the country bordered by Eritrea. The Kafta Shiraro National Park is decorated with arid land plant species, riverine forest, and savanna grassland, and palm trees. The park harbors unique populations of several nationally and globally conservation concern species such as the endangered African Elephant. In addition to the African Elephant, the park possesses several conservation concerns and economically important faunal and floral species, including the only known population in Ethiopia of Red-fronted Gazelle and one of the two populations of Roan Antelope occurring in the country. KSNP is also the only site in Ethiopia where several bird species have been known, such as the Demoissel Crane.
Wildlife: Elephant, Red-fronted gazelle, Greater Kudu, Roan Antelope, Water back.
Birds: Meyer’s (Brown) Parrot, Abyssinian Roller, Demoiselle Crane, Egyptian Plover, different species of Sand grouse birds
Why visit this park? Bordering Eritrea to the north, the Kafta Shiraro National Park is one of a few areas in Ethiopia that conserve Elephants. Furthermore, over 20,000 Demoiselle Cranes winter within the park – the only place in Ethiopia where they can be spotted.
Park Discription
The Kafta-Sheraro area was formerly known as “Shire Wildlife Reserve” since 1968. A proposal to upgrade the reserve to the present status of Kafta-Sheraro National Park was made in 2007 mainly to conserve one of the relict populations of the African Elephant found in the area and other co-occurring biodiversity and ecosystems.
Park rules
- Park areas are open from 6: 00 am – to 6:00 pm.
- Overnight stay is prohibited in any park area except in campsites.
- Fires are permitted only in existing fireplace grills using charcoal. No fire shall be left unattended, and any fire must be completely extinguished before leaving the area.
- Motorized vehicles must always remain on designated roadways and parking areas.
- All trash, litter, or refuse is to be placed in the provided trash receptacles. No dumping allowed.
- Hazardous Activities – It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any activity on any park lands that constitutes a hazard to the safety of self or other persons.
- The use of any fireworks and/or weapons is strictly prohibited.
- It is unlawful to remove, damage, destroy, deface, or otherwise vandalize any park property, structure, sign, or vegetation.
- It is unlawful to hunt, trap, harass, or harm any wild animal, bird, or plant life.
06:00 am – 06:00 pm
The climate in the KSNP is generally characterized by hot to warm semiarid and seasonal rainfall. The mean monthly temperature ranges from 28.35°C to 35.1°C. The coolest temperature occurs from July to September while the warmest temperature occurs from March to May. The maximum mean monthly temperature is in March ≈ 33.15°C and May ≈ 34.4°C while the minimum is in both August ≈ 28.35°C and January ≈ 28.65°C, respectively. The rainfall pattern is bimodal with two distinct seasons. The short rains occur from May to mid-June and September whereas the long rains occur during July ≈ 174 mm and August ≈ 252 mm.
Game driving, bird watching, nature walking, camping and others.
Camping grounds inside the park