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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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