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Ethiopia🇪🇹 | national parksMaze National ParkMaze River, dik-dik scrub, riverine forest, tsetse plains | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Maze
👍 Recommendednational park ranked #12
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Maze National Park forces one decision: whether to hire the required scout and vehicle for a full day, or skimp and see only the entrance plains. Go for the full day, because the animals sit deeper in. The park lies in the south of Ethiopia, west of Arba Minch, in the Rift Valley lowlands. Roads are dusty, tsetse flies bite through shirts, and you must arrange the scout at the park office before entering. I expected empty savanna; instead, a troop of Guenther’s dik-diks froze beside our track, tiny and trembling, ears twitching in the dry grass. Plan a first day with an early start from town, a scout beside you, and the Maze River by afternoon.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Ethiopia Travel Guide.
Safety warning

The current risk level for Ethiopia is high. Check the advice before going.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #12 national park in EthiopiaWhat sets this place apart

Maze National Park suits independent travelers who like their wildlife without crowds. Visitors are few, so you can often drive for hours seeing only your scout and the animals. The park protects the endangered Swayne’s hartebeest, a rare antelope found in only a few places on earth, and you have a real chance of spotting herds on the open grassland. The second reason is the access to the Maze River and its riverine forest, where baboons, colobus monkeys and birds gather. Arrangements are simple enough to organize yourself in nearby Arba Minch, which keeps costs under your control and the experience far from any tour-bus rhythm.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Swayne’s hartebeest herds: The park’s signature animal, a rare reddish-brown antelope grazing the open plains, often visible from the vehicle track.
  2. Maze River: A winding river lined with tall trees, where you can watch baboons and other wildlife come to drink.
  3. Riverine forest: Shady woodland along the water where colobus monkeys leap overhead and birds call from the canopy.
  4. Guenther’s dik-diks: Tiny antelopes that dash through the scrub, best spotted in the quiet hours of morning.
  5. Grassland plains: Wide, flat, golden stretches where you can see zebras, buffalo and warthogs, with hills rising beyond.
  6. Bird watching: Hornbills, storks and raptors appear along the river and over the savanna, rewarding patient observers.
  7. Hot springs near the park edge: A place to soak in warm water after a dusty day,
… read more 👉
  1. Swayne’s hartebeest herds: The park’s signature animal, a rare reddish-brown antelope grazing the open plains, often visible from the vehicle track.
  2. Maze River: A winding river lined with tall trees, where you can watch baboons and other wildlife come to drink.
  3. Riverine forest: Shady woodland along the water where colobus monkeys leap overhead and birds call from the canopy.
  4. Guenther’s dik-diks: Tiny antelopes that dash through the scrub, best spotted in the quiet hours of morning.
  5. Grassland plains: Wide, flat, golden stretches where you can see zebras, buffalo and warthogs, with hills rising beyond.
  6. Bird watching: Hornbills, storks and raptors appear along the river and over the savanna, rewarding patient observers.
  7. Hot springs near the park edge: A place to soak in warm water after a dusty day, found close to the park boundary.
Maze National Park’s river and plains pair well in a single day, with grassland drives at dawn and the shady river forest at midday.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Maze National Park

Omo Valley Tours from Jinka

Omo Valley Tours from Jinka

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3-Day Arba Minch & Konso: Culture, Wildlife & Local Tour

3-Day Arba Minch & Konso: Culture, Wildlife & Local Tour

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3 days around Arbaminch and Konso Adventure Tours Life Time

3 days around Arbaminch and Konso Adventure Tours Life Time

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5 Day Private tour to the Omo Valley Tribes and Adventure Tour

5 Day Private tour to the Omo Valley Tribes and Adventure Tour

5.0(16) 120h
From €1,168
per personViator
3 Days Arba Minch and Konso Tour: Nature and Culture Adventure

3 Days Arba Minch and Konso Tour: Nature and Culture Adventure

5.0(11) 72h
From €589
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6 Days Omo valley Tribal Tour (Starts Arba Minch End Jinka)

6 Days Omo valley Tribal Tour (Starts Arba Minch End Jinka)

5.0(8) 144h
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3 days, Arba Minch and Dorze

3 days, Arba Minch and Dorze

5.0(7) 72h
From €1,277
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6 days private Sight Seeing Tours.

6 days private Sight Seeing Tours.

5.0(6) 144h
From €1,177
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6 Days Omo Valley Cultural Tour

6 Days Omo Valley Cultural Tour

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From €1,358
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3 Days, Arba Minch, Dorze village and Konso Village

3 Days, Arba Minch, Dorze village and Konso Village

5.0(5) 72h
From €906
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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (December to February): Maze National Park is at its easiest now, with sunny days of 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), nights of 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F) and about 12 hours of light. Roads and the grassland tracks are firm, and animals gather near the Maze River. Expect the highest lodge prices in Arba Minch.
  • Short Rains (March to May): Afternoon storms turn black cotton soil into sticky mud and cut access. Rates drop and visitors are few.
  • Wet Months (June to September): Cooler at 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F), green and humid, with muddy tracks and many insects.
  • October and November: Rains fade and the grass is still tall. Fewer vehicles, moderate prices.
Book a guide and vehicle in Arba Minch a day ahead, and aim for January.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Arba Minch, about 2 to 2.5 hours away by road, is the base for nearly every backpacker visiting Maze National Park. Inside the park there is no lodging, only basic campsites near the ranger area, so bring a tent, bedding, water and food if you plan to sleep out. Ranger staff can advise on where to pitch.

In Arba Minch, the Sikela (upper) side has the best views over Lakes Abaya and Chamo. Budget guesthouses and simple hotels run US$10 to 25 a night, with hot water that is unreliable. Mid-range lodges on the Secha side cost US$40 to 80, and Paradise Lodge sits above the lakes with a good terrace. … read more 👉
Arba Minch, about 2 to 2.5 hours away by road, is the base for nearly every backpacker visiting Maze National Park. Inside the park there is no lodging, only basic campsites near the ranger area, so bring a tent, bedding, water and food if you plan to sleep out. Ranger staff can advise on where to pitch.

In Arba Minch, the Sikela (upper) side has the best views over Lakes Abaya and Chamo. Budget guesthouses and simple hotels run US$10 to 25 a night, with hot water that is unreliable. Mid-range lodges on the Secha side cost US$40 to 80, and Paradise Lodge sits above the lakes with a good terrace. Sodo and Wolaita are also reachable, but they are farther and offer little for park visitors. Arrange your park transport and guide from Arba Minch before you leave, since nothing can be organized at the gate.
Best hostels in Ethiopia


Best quality hotels in Ethiopia

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Maze National Park costs about US$78 to 157 per day for a backpacker once you add the mandatory scout and a shared vehicle. Park access and transport drive the budget, while food and beds in Arba Minch stay cheap.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$3 to 10Charged per person per day, plus a vehicle fee, paid in birr at the park office.
Scout and guideUS$10 to 20An armed ranger scout is required and often shared by a group.
Vehicle hireUS$50 to 90A 4x4 from Arba Minch for the day, best split between travelers.
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 25Guesthouses in Arba Minch. Camping in the park is cheaper but needs your own gear.
Food and suppliesUS$5 to 12Local meals are cheap. Bring snacks and water for the park, since none is sold inside.
Total Daily BudgetUS$78 to 157Sharing the vehicle among several people lowers this sharply.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsExploring Maze: trails, terrain, and views

Maze National Park has no marked hiking circuits, so walking here means following the tracks with your armed scout. The park is small, and most visitors combine short walks with a vehicle loop.
  • Maze River walk: Start from the track near the river and stroll under the trees with your scout, about 1 to 2 hours. The terrain is flat but sandy and uneven, and the difficulty is easy. Expect baboons, monkeys and birdsong.
  • Plains walk: Leave the vehicle at a safe spot and cross the open grassland for 1 to 2 hours. The ground is dry, cracked and dusty with scattered acacia. You may see hartebeest, zebra
… read more 👉
Maze National Park has no marked hiking circuits, so walking here means following the tracks with your armed scout. The park is small, and most visitors combine short walks with a vehicle loop.
  • Maze River walk: Start from the track near the river and stroll under the trees with your scout, about 1 to 2 hours. The terrain is flat but sandy and uneven, and the difficulty is easy. Expect baboons, monkeys and birdsong.
  • Plains walk: Leave the vehicle at a safe spot and cross the open grassland for 1 to 2 hours. The ground is dry, cracked and dusty with scattered acacia. You may see hartebeest, zebra and warthogs, so keep your distance and follow your scout’s lead.
  • Terrain and wildlife: Expect heat, fine dust, tsetse flies and long open views. Bring water, long sleeves, a hat and binoculars.
Practical details: The park lies near Arba Minch, which has minibus and bus connections from Addis Ababa and Hawassa, and you then need a vehicle for the final stretch because there is no regular public transport inside. Crowds are almost nonexistent. An entrance fee applies, plus a mandatory scout and vehicle charge, so pay at the park office.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Maze National Park is straightforward if you go with a ranger scout, which is required anyway. The main concerns are heat, so walk early, carry at least 3 liters of water per person and wear a hat. Grassland tracks have little shade and no marked trails, so follow your scout rather than navigating yourself. Wildlife includes buffalo, lions, leopards and the rare Swayne’s hartebeest. Keep a respectful distance, stay quiet and never walk off alone at dusk. Mosquitoes carry malaria in this lowland, so bring repellent and discuss prophylaxis with a doctor. Rains make tracks impassable, so check conditions before committing. Bring a first-aid kit, because help is far away.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

One full day is the minimum for Maze National Park, and two days suits you better if you camp. The drive from Arba Minch takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours each way, so a day trip leaves only a few hours on the plains. Overnighting lets you do an early morning and late afternoon game drive.
Getting to Maze National Park without your own vehicle is difficult, since no public transport enters the park. You can take a minibus from Arba Minch toward Morka or Maze, then you still need a hired 4x4 and a ranger scout. Most backpackers arrange a shared 4x4 in Arba Minch for around US$50 to 90 a day.
Yes, Maze National Park charges an entrance fee of about US$3 to 10 per person, plus a vehicle fee, paid in birr. A ranger scout is also required and costs roughly US$10 to 20 a day. Pay and register at the park office, and it helps to arrange everything through a guide in Arba Minch.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ethiopian national parks near Maze

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Maze National Park deserves one full day, starting at dawn, and no more unless you are a dedicated birder. I would stay the night in Arba Minch and pair it with Nechisar. Bring long sleeves, plenty of water and patience for the dusty road.

✈️ When did I visit Ethiopia?
Ethiopia I visited back in October 2017. I combined the trip with a visit to Sudan. Ethiopia was a pure surprise with the magical scenery like the Danakil Depression and the Simien Mountains.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ethiopia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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