Awash River

Awash River

Awash is a major river in east Ethiopia. It begins at / around Melka Kunture Archeological site (West Ethiopia) and ends up at Lake Abbe, located between Ethiopia and Djibouti. Awash River is the most important water for Kereyu, Afar and Somali herders to water their cattle.

Near Metehara town, the Awash River creates magnificent waterfalls and so good to see. Awash National Park has been named after the River’s name. The River is very important for wildlife and birds in the Park as well.

The Awash Valley (and especially the Middle Awash) is internationally famous for its high density of hominin fossils, offering unparalleled insight into the early evolution of humans. "Lucy", one of the most famous early hominin fossils, was discovered in the lower Awash Valley. For its paleontological and anthropological importance, the lower valley of the Awash was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980.