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Ethiopia
National Gambela
Park
Located about 600
kilometres from Addis Ababa on the river Baro, Gambela has a strange
history. From 1902 until it was captured by the Italians in the
Second World War, it was administered by the British, the only part
of Ethiopia to be so governed, The reason for this is that the
British opened a port there on the wide and navigable Baro River,
which during four months of the rainy season is navigable and
provides direct access to the sea via the Nile through Khartoum.
Ethiopian coffee was exported via this route, up to 1940. Now the
port has fallen into disrepair, though remains of the warehouses and
jetty can be seen. At its peak, up to 40 ships would be in dock at
any one time. Gambela (sometimes spelt Gambella} gives access to the
GambeIa National Park. The undulating plains of high Sudanese grass
offer excellent opportunities for wilderness exploration. It is not
particularly easy to access however.
Beyond Gambela towards the Sudanese border, the Anuak cultivators
give way to the nomadic Nuer. These pastoralists herd their
long-horned cattle into huge camps when they stop for the night.
Wildlife
In the river are to be found huge Nile perch, up to 100 kilograms,
crocodiles and hippos. Other wildlife includes buffalo, giraffe,
waterbuck, Roan antelope, zebra, bushbuck, Abyssinian reedbuck,
warthog, hartebeest, hyena, lion and elephant. Unfortunately, there
are very few animals to be seen in the park, but the birds are many
and varied, the olive baboon and the local race of the vervet, with
its white whiskers, are the very common, as is the black and white
colobus monkey.
Access
Bus links to Addis Ababa via Bako. (Min 2 day journey) 4 weekly
flights from Addis Ababa by Ethiopian Airlines (Mon, Thurs, Fri,
Sat).
Accommodation
All accommodation is to be found in nearby Gambela town.
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