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Stories for the road
Get destination notes, practical travel tips, and new stories from Oromia.
A western wetland park of grassy plains, hippo pools and spectacular birdlife.
Overview
Roughly 80 kilometres from the town of Dembi Dolo lies Dhati Walal National Park. Once a controlled hunting area and now turned into a natural conservation site, it is unusual in being predominantly a wetland, broken up by some great grassy plains. Hippo, buffalo and waterbuck are in abundance, alongside many smaller species, and the birdlife is spectacular in this wetland habitat.
There is a hillock in the park called Gara Arba, which means 'Elephant's Hill'. The name suggests that at one time elephants would have roamed through these plains.
Gallery
What's included
Conservation and wildlife park permits are arranged, and a wetland safari guide with birding expertise travels with you alongside an armed conservation scout.
The day covers the hippo pools and the wetland birdwatching circuit, the grassy plains where buffalo and waterbuck gather, and a guided summit walk up Gara Arba for the view across the whole floodplain.
Bring comfortable shoes, a refillable bottle, and a camera.
Your visit directly supports conservation and local livelihoods across Oromia.
Travel with purpose. Leave with stories.
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