For travelers who seek adventure far from the well-worn tourist trail, Gambela National Park offers a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. This vast wilderness in Western Ethiopia, bordering South Sudan, is a mosaic of wetlands, rivers, savannah, and forest. At its heart lies one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the African continent — the migration of the white-eared kob antelope, rivaled only by the wildebeest migration of the Serengeti.
The park is home to elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippos, Nile crocodiles, and over 300 bird species, including the legendary shoebill stork. Yet Gambela is more than wildlife — it is also a living cultural landscape, where the Anuak and Nuer peoples have thrived for centuries. Along the banks of the Baro River, you’ll learn about their fishing traditions, cattle culture, and unique spiritual practices.
This 7-day expedition with Dejene Ethiopia Tours combines game drives, guided hikes, river boat safaris, and cultural village encounters. It’s the perfect choice for adventurers, photographers, and anyone seeking an authentic connection with Ethiopia’s hidden treasures.
An extraordinary 7-day safari into Ethiopia’s western frontier — Gambela. Witness the white-eared kob migration, track elephants and lions, glide along the Baro River, and immerse yourself in the living traditions of the Anuak and Nuer tribes.
Highlights
- Witness Africa’s second-largest animal migration: the white-eared kob.
- Explore Gambela National Park: elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, hippos, and Nile crocodiles.
- World-class birdwatching — shoebill stork, fish eagle, jacanas, pelicans, and 300+ species.
- Boat safaris along the Baro River, Ethiopia’s only navigable river.
- Walk with guides in riverine forests and wetlands for close wildlife encounters.
- Visit Anuak villages — masters of fishing and river culture.
- Experience the Nuer people’s cattle culture and traditions.
- Sunset hikes and wilderness photography in Ethiopia’s most remote national park.
