The Awash area is on the border of the Afar people and the Kereyou, an Oromo people. Both are pastoralists with distinct identities and fiercely proud and armed. From time to time, conflicts break out between them, often over grazing rights and access to water. At such times we avoid going into the northern part of the park. Driving to Doho Lodge and Awash Falls Lodge is safe. As a precaution, driving along the main road and going to the lodges should be done a few hours before sunset. Further west from Awash is the town of Metehara, and this area has seen disturbances in the past, so we advise driving through this area well within daylight hours.

There is a park further east, Aledeghi Park, also on the Afar/Oromiya border, which is subject to insecurity. Here we would need to clear the feasibility of visiting in the weeks and days prior to a trip.