Groundwater is a principal source for meeting irrigation and domestic needs in the semi-arid region of the Giba basin, northern Ethiopia. This study evaluates the historical and future impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) and climate change on groundwater recharge dynamics of the Giba basin using the physically distributed WetSpass-M model. The model was calibrated monthly by comparing simulated results with field-measured surface runoff and base flow. The analysis period includes historical (1984-2024) and future projection (2024-2044) under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs4.5 and 8.5). The results show a decline of barren land from 19% in 1984 to 3.6% in 2024 and an increase of rainfall by + 188 mm in the same period. Consequently, these changes have resulted for an increase of annual recharge from 28.4 mm/yr (5.4% of rainfall) to 71.8 mm/yr (10.7% of rainfall), respectively. Similarly, mean annual recharge is projected to increase by + 12 mm/yr and + 6.7 mm/yr in the 2040 s compared to the 2020 s under the RCP8.5 and RCP4.5 scenarios, respectively. However, a slight decline of projected rainfall and recharge during the dry season under the two scenarios can intensify the existing soil moisture-deficit problems during the irrigation periods. Moreover, reduction of recharge due to urbanization and deforestation (in some locations) is witnessed in the study area from 1984 through 2044 under both RCP8.5 and 4.5 scenarios. Therefore, site-specific aquifer recharging mechanisms, rather than imposing the traditional 'one-size-fits-all' approach that does not consider spatiotemporal heterogeneity of catchment characteristics at a local level, are required to enhance groundwater sustain-ability so as mitigate climate change impacts. In this regard, implementation of managed aquifer recharge in selected areas can significantly improve groundwater availability.