Awash National Park protects a semiarid tract of Rift Valley floor inhabited by antelope such as the striking Beisa oryx and magnificent spiral-horned greater kudu.
A bird checklist of almost 500 species includes Arabian Bustard, African swallow-tailed kite, northern carmine bee-eater and the endemic yellow-throated serin.
Scenic highlights include the spectacular crater of Fantelle Volcano and Lake Beseka set amidst stark black volcanic rubble at its base, as well as the surging waterfall at the head of the Awash Gorge and fields of palm-lined hot springs regularly frequented by Hamadryas baboons.
At dusk visit Aga Edu Cave which might reveal some of the 20-plus spotted hyenas that have their dens here.