The park area is home to the Nuer and the Anuak people. Both sexes of the Nuer favor cicatrisation, an adornment causing bumps in various patterns on their bodies. It is about 5060 sq.km in area. Originally the park was created for protection of extensive swamp habitat and its wildlife. Located on the Akobo river system it hosts several wildlife not found elsewhere in Ethiopia. These include the Nile lechwe and white-eared kob. The banks of the baro are rich in birdlife and thus give visitors an extra advantage.