Nile crocodiles
Hundreds basking on the shore.
Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0 · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0 · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0 · Peter Wilton — CC BY 2.0 · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0
Nechisar National Park is a reserve in the Great Rift Valley of southern Ethiopia, east of the city of Arba Minch. Covering 750 square kilometres, it takes in Lakes Abaya and Chamo, the «Bridge of God», an isthmus between the two lakes, and the Nechisar plains, whose name means «white grass». The park was proposed in 1967 and established in 1974. Lakes make up about 15% of its area, and its elevation runs from 1,108 metres on the shore of Lake Chamo to 1,650 metres on Mount Tabala, known for its hot springs. Groundwater forest lines the lake shores, with dry grassy plains beyond. Wildlife includes plains zebra, Grant's gazelle, dik-dik, hippo, greater kudu and baboons, and the birdlife is rich, with storks, pelicans, flamingos and African fish eagles. A stretch of the northwest shore of Lake Chamo is known as the Crocodile Market, where hundreds of Nile crocodiles gather to bask, best seen on a boat trip. Enter the park with a guide, keep well away from crocodiles and hippos, and do not swim in the lake. Early morning is the best time for wildlife.
Hundreds basking on the shore.
Boat trips among the reeds.
Zebra and gazelles.
East of Arba Minch, South Ethiopia Region, Ethiopia
At the Crocodile Market on Lake Chamo's northwest shore, by boat.
No; the lakes hold crocodiles and hippos.