Nech Sar is named after the creamy white grass that covers the park in the central plains area. Nech Sar National Park is situated near the town of Arbaminch, 510 kilometers from Addis Ababa. The park covers an area of 514 square kilometers, Lakes Abaya and Chamo are the twin rift valley lakes separated by a neck of land better known as a "Bridge of Heaven", and they are the integral part of the park. Hot springs found in the eastern part of the park and the "crocodile market" located on the northwestern shores of lakes Chamo are an added attraction. The park is home to Burchell's Zebra, Grant's gazelle, greater Kudu and others. Various species of birds and crocodiles reflect the park's different habitat.

The park hosts about 188 different bird species - including two endemic of the area. Both the red-billed and the gray hornbill are common here, and the Abyssinian ground hornbill is also seen. Also common are fish eagle, kingfishers, and rollers. The ground water forest supported by a high water table in the park is one of its kinds in Eastern Africa.