Just past the headquarters there are viewpoints above and below this mighty waterfall, which tumbles into the magnificent Awash Gorge along the park’s southern boundary. Awash Lodge has a brochure for a short self-guided hike in the gorge below the falls. Park staff tell us you can swim here because the large crocodiles don’t attack people; it’s up to you whether or not you trust them. Nearby is a small museum filled with dusty skins, skulls and stuffed animals, plus good written information about the wildlife.
The gorge is 150m deep and at its most beautiful by the abandoned Kereyou Lodge, a short detour off the game drive. You can also spy a wide stretch of the gorge in Awash town: head 500m down the dirt road next to Park Hotel and continue on the main footpath across the train tracks.
