Simien Mountains National Park is one of the National Parks of Ethiopia. Located in the Simien Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, its territory covers the Simien Mountains and includes Ras Dashan, the highest point in Ethiopia.

It is home to a number of extremely rare species, including the Ethiopian wolf, Gelada Baboon, and the Walia Ibex, a wild goat found nowhere else in the world. More than 50 species of birds inhabit the park, including the impressive Bearded Vulture, or Lammergeyer, with its 10-foot (3m) wingspan.

It was established in 1969, having been set up by Clive Nicol, who wrote about his experiences in From the Roof of Africa (1971, ISBN 0 340 14755 5).

It was one of the first sites to be made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (1978). However, due to serious population declines of the characteristic native species, in 1996 it was also added to the List of World Heritage Sites in danger.

See also

• National parks in Ethiopia

References

External links

• UNESCO World Heritage Entry on Simien National park
• UNESCO Natural Site Data Sheet
• The National Parks of Ethiopia: Simien Mountain Adventure - Part I (Addis Tribune)
• The National Parks of Ethiopia: Simien Mountain Adventure - Part II (Addis Tribune)
• The National Parks of Ethiopia: Simien Mountain Adventure - Part III (Addis Tribune)