The main objective of the study was to characterize the habitat composition and distribution of rodents and insectivores in a recently established Chebera Churchura National Park, Ethiopia. The study was carried out between 2010 and 2011. Study grids were marked in seven randomly selected habitats. Swampy forest, riverine forest, grassland, wooded grassland, bushland, lake shore, and agricultural field were identified. Forty nine Sherman live traps were used to capture the small mammals. A total of 704 individuals of rodents and insectivores were captured in 5488 trap-nights. These comprised 16 species of rodents, and 2 species of insectivores. The distribution of species varied among habitats. Mastomys natalensis was the most widely distributed species, whereas Crocidura flavescens was the least. The distribution pattern also varied along altitudinal gradients. The study revealed that habitat composition is a very important factor for species richness and distribution of rodents and insectivores in the park. © International Society for Tropical Ecology.