DOCSLIB.ORG

Ultimate Ethiopia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ultimate Ethiopia ULTIMATE ETHIOPIA October 20 - November 1, 2021 | 13 Days | Overland Adventure RED Axum SEA Expedition Highlights Simien Mountains Gondar • Meet the engaging gelada baboons of Simien Mountains National Park. Bahir Dar Lalibela • Visit Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and he source of the Blue Nile. • Discover the earliest churches Addis Ababa known to Christendom—the ancient ETHIOPIA rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia’s ‘New Jerusalem.’ • Visit the remains of several royal castles Bale Mountains Main Tour built between the 13th - 17th centuries BLUE NILE FALLS Extension in the city of Gondar. LALIBELA MAP NOT TO SCALE • Join an optional extension to explore Bale Mountains National Park, home to giant mole-rats, Menelik’s bushbuck, mountain nyala, and over 300 species of birds. • Itinerary .................................... page 2 > • Flight Information ...................... page 3 > • Meet Your Leader ..................... page 4 > • Rates ........................................ page 4 > • Know Before You Go ................. page 4 > BLUE NILE FALLS • Optional Post-extension ............ page 5 > ZION CHURCH LALIBELA Sunday, October 24 Itinerary AXUM / LALIBELA Return to the airport for our flight to Lalibela, capital of the Zagwe Dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries. Arguably Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be ongoing enhancements to this itinerary. Ethiopia’s greatest attraction, Lalibela’s famous rock-hewn churches have drawn religious pilgrims since the 16th century and still amaze modern travelers. The majority of the rock- Wednesday, October 20, 2021 hewn churches are situated within the town; after lunch, DEPART USA begin your exploration of the first church complex. The area Board your independent flight to Ethiopia. is a sacred site for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and you are likely to encounter brightly clad priests conducting ancient ceremonies or pilgrims visiting hermit monks in their Thursday, October 21 subterranean haunts. Check in to the Hotel Maribela for dinner ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA and overnight. Arrive in the capital city of Addis Ababa late in the evening and transfer to the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa for overnight. Monday, October 25 LALIBELA Friday, October 22 This morning, visit the cave church of Yemrehanna Kristos, ADDIS ABABA located a short distance outside of Lalibela. Considered one After a morning at leisure, begin your exploration of this of the most beautiful of all Lalibela’s churches, Yemrehanna fascinating county with a city tour of Addis Ababa. Founded is unique in that it is built, rather than excavated, within a in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and located 8,000 feet above cave. This afternoon, complete your exploration of Lalibela sea level at the foot of the Entoto Mountains, Addis Ababa is with a visit to the second complex of rock-hewn churches considered the diplomatic capital of Africa, being the seat of in town, culminating with a visit to the famous church of St. the African Union (AU) and playing host to over 100 foreign George. You will also have the opportunity to meet with a embassies. Drive to the summit of Mt. Entoto for fantastic local family to participate in a coffee ceremony and cooking views, then visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral and one of the demonstration. largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the Merkato. Tuesday, October 26 Saturday, October 23 LALIBELA / GONDAR / SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ADDIS ABABA / AXUM After breakfast, board our flight to Gondar, then depart After breakfast, board our flight to Axum, a small town that overland for Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO once formed the capital of the great Aksumite Kingdom. Visit World Heritage Site recognized for both its scenic beauty and the area’s main historical sites, including the Archaeological the endangered wildlife that it supports. The region includes Museum; the Zion Cathedral, where the original Ark of many summits above 12,000 feet and culminates in the the Covenant is said to be housed; the Stelae Park, where highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dashen, which at 15,280 feet is magnificent 3rd- and 4th-century monoliths tower 100 feet into the fourth highest mountain in Africa. Check in to the Simien the sky; and finally, the ruined palace reputed to have been Lodge, your base for two days of exploration. home to the Queen of Sheba. Dinner and overnight at the Sabean Hotel. ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | ULTIMATE ETHIOPIA < 2 > GELADA BABOON GONDAR Wednesday, October 27 locally as Tissiat—which means “Smoking Water.” The Falls SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK are 328 feet wide and the water plunges some 150 feet, giving Spend a full day appreciating breathtaking scenery, while rise to picturesque clouds and rainbows. Nesting behind the keeping an eye out for troops of endemic gelada, or lion- curtain of water are slender-billed chestnut wings. Other birds mane, baboons, terrestrial primates that live in groups in the area include fire finches, ground-scraper thrushes, robin- numbering up to 500 individuals. These baboons feed en chats, yellow-fronted tinkerbirds, and bare-faced go-away masse in the high-altitude meadows during the day and roost birds. Return to Bahir Dar in the afternoon for a visit to the along the edge of the escarpment at night. Other notable lively market. wildlife includes the endemic walia ibex, a large mountain goat unique to the Simien region, as well as the dapper augur buzzard and spectacular, eagle-sized thick-billed ravens. Sunday & Monday, October 31 & November 1 BAHIR DAR / ADDIS ABABA / USA Board our morning flight to Addis Ababa and check in to the Thursday, October 28 Golden Tulip, with the afternoon at leisure. Relax at the hotel, SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK / GONDAR then transfer to the airport for your late evening flight, arriving After breakfast return to Gondar, the 17th-century capital in the USA the next day. of Ethiopia. Our route traverses pastoral highlands, passing through traditional villages inhabited by the Amhara people. This afternoon, visit the Royal Enclosure, home to the castles of Emperors Fasiladas, Iyasu, Dawit, and Mentewab, and come Flight Information to understand why this town has been called “the Camelot of Africa.” Then explore the decorated church of Debre Berhan You will need to purchase airfare from your home city/Addis Ababa and Addis Ababa/home city. The domestic flights within Ethiopia Sellasie, and the Bath of King Fasiladas, who established are included in the price of the expedition. Please contact our Gondar in 1636. Dinner and overnight at the Goha Hotel. in-house Air Department for fare quotes, reservations, or other air-related questions. Friday, October 29 GONDAR / BAHIR DAR This morning depart Gondar and travel by road to Bahir Dar on the shores of Lake Tana, the source of one of Africa’s greatest rivers. Check in to the Kuriftu Resort in time for lunch, then embark on a boating excursion on Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest body of water. Included will be a visit to the Ura Kidane Mehret monastery on the Zeghie peninsula and the nearby church of Narga Selassie. Birdwatching on the lake is also superb. Saturday, October 30 BAHIR DAR / BLUE NILE FALLS Today after breakfast, drive to the Blue Nile Falls—known CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF ZION ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | ULTIMATE ETHIOPIA < 3 > Meet Your Expedition Leader LEX HES – A naturalist and wildlife photographer, Lex was born and educated in Johannesburg and has been involved in the world of wildlife for nearly 40 years. Previously a guide at the world-famous Londolozi Game Reserve, Lex is now a popular freelance nature guide who imparts his wealth of knowledge of Africa’s ecosystems in an easygoing and friendly manner. He is an author and nature photographer with five books to his credit—the highly acclaimed Leopards of Londolozi; a children’s book called Bushschool; Attracting Birds to Your Garden in Southern Africa; The Complete Book of Southern African Mammals; and Wild South Africa, about the biomes of his native country. In addition to time spent in the Mpumalanga Lowveld and guiding visitors around Southern Africa, Lex has been involved with biological work on the sub-Antarctic islands of Amsterdam and Marion and leads tours to Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, Zambia, Madagascar, Namibia, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Rates $10,990 per person, double occupancy; $14,990 per person, single occupancy Limited to 14 expedition members. INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: • Domestic airfare within Ethiopia • Round trip airfare from your home city/Addis Ababa and • All excursions in the company of a world-class expedition Addis Ababa/home city leader and local guides • Excess baggage charges • All gratuities • Airport arrival and departure taxes • All accommodations • Transfers for independent arrivals and departures • All group meals, including selected beverages with lunch and dinner • Passport and/or visa fees • All entrance fees • Travel insurance • Arrival and departure transfers on group dates • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages • Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear (other than listed at left), and other incidentals • Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance • Email/Internet/fax/telephone charges A 25% per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition. All rates are per person, quoted in US dollars, and must be paid in US dollars. Rates and itineraries are subject to change. Please review our Terms & Conditions online at www.zegrahm.com/terms, or call our office for a printed copy. Know Before You Go This trip is for experienced travelers only. For most activities, a relatively moderate level of exertion is required. You must be able to walk distances of one to three miles, sometimes over uneven surfaces, such as unpaved paths and slippery trails, and climb stairs that may not have handrails, especially when visiting the churches of Lalibela. Please note that the elevation of Addis Ababa is over 7,500 feet and altitude sickness may occur in some individuals.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Existing Challenges of Heritage
    ACCESS Freely available online rism & OPEN ou H f T o o s l p a i t n a r l i u t y o J Journal of ISSN: 2167-0269 Tourism & Hospitality Research Article The Existing Challenges of Heritage Management in Gondar World Heritage Sites: A Case Study on Fasil Ghebbi and the Baths Shegalem Fekadu Mengstie* Department of History and Heritage Management, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia ABSTRACT Heritage management is an administrative means by which heritage resources are protected from natural and manmade cause of deterioration. The town of Gondar is located in Northwestern Ethiopia and it has outstanding and outstay world cultural heritage resources situated at its hub. However, these stunning properties are threatened with multidimensional heritage management problems. So, the main aim of this paper is to identify the main and existing challenges and show the severity of the problems in comparison with different case studies in the world. It compiled through qualitative research method with descriptive research design. And data were collected through survey, participant observation and photographic documentation and interpretation. The collected data also compiled by qualitative method of data analysis. The main and the existing challenges of Gondar’s world heritage sites, specifically of the Fasil Ghebbi and the baths are plant overgrowth, human activities on the immediate vicinity of the sites (that leads to vibration of the structures and noise disturbance), negligence, visitors pressure, improper conservation, nonexistence or inapplicability of heritage management plan, Lack of tourist follow-up system as a means for deliberate graffiti of heritages, lack of cooperation among the concerned bodies and unavailability of directions and instructions.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethiopian Cultural Center in Belgium የኢትዮጵያ ባህል ማእከል በቤልጅየም
    Ethiopian Cultural Center in Belgium የኢትዮጵያ ባህል ማእከል በቤልጅየም NEWSLETTERS ቁጥር –20 May 23, 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS BRIEF HISTORY OF ETHIOPIA ¨/The Decline of Gondar and Zemene Mesafint PAGE 1-5 አጭር ግጥም ከሎሬት ጸጋዬ ገ/መድህን ገጽ 6 ሳምንታዊ የኮቪድ 19 መረጃ ገጽ 6-7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brief History of Ethiopia Part 10: The Decline of Gondar and The Zemene Mesafint (The Era of the Princes; 1769 – 1855) For about 200 years, Ethiopia passed through turmoil caused by the aggressiveness of the Muslim states, the far-reaching migrations of the Oromo and the disruptive influence of the Portuguese. These episodes left the empire much weakened andfragmented by the mid-seventeenth century. One result was the emergence of regional lords who are essentially independent of the throne, although in principle subject to it. In this issue of the newsletter, we will briefly describe the major events and decisive characters that shaped the course of Ethiopian history until the rise of Tewodros II in 1855. The Gondar period produced a flowering Indian textile and European furniture. of architecture and art that lasted for more Gondar enjoyed the veritable status of a than a century. For the 18 th century fashion capital to the extent that it was Ethiopian royal chroniclers, Gondar, as a described in the 1840s by two French city, was the first among the cities that captains as the “Paris de l’Abyssinie” fulfilled all desires. Imperial Gondar where ladies and gentlemen wore dresses thrived on war chests, trade and revenue of dazzling whiteness, had good taste, from feudal taxation.
    [Show full text]
  • Reactive Monitoring Mission to Simien Mountains National Park Ethiopia
    Joint World Heritage Centre – IUCN Monitoring Mission to Simien Mountains National Park World Heritage Property MISSION REPORT Reactive Monitoring Mission to Simien Mountains National Park Ethiopia 10 – 17 May 2006 Guy Debonnet (UNESCO) Lota Melamari (IUCN) Bastian Bomhard (IUCN) July 2006 1 Executive Summary The World Heritage Committee requested at its 29th session (Durban, 2004) a joint UNESCO/IUCN monitoring mission to Simien Mountains National Park to assess the state of conservation of the property and progress towards achieving the 4 benchmarks set by the World Heritage Committee at its 25th session to guide the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The mission took place 10 – 17 May 2006. This joint mission report summarizes the mission’s key findings on current conservation and management issues at the property. It includes detailed recommendations regarding the benchmarks set by the Committee, including a proposal for 4 revised benchmarks, and other recommendations to improve the conservation and management of the property. The mission found that substantial progress has been made towards the benchmarks 1, 2 and 4 set by the Committee at its 25th session. At the same time, the mission concluded that it is imperative to finalize the park boundary changes and to legalize them through a re- gazetment of Simien Mountains National Park. The mission also noted that benchmark 3 was not achieved and will not be achieved in the near future. The mission concluded that in spite of the progress made since 2001, the threats to the values for which the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List have not yet been resolved.
    [Show full text]
  • Explore ETHIOPIA ONE COUNTRY: MANY CONTRASTS Gonder Erta Ale Volcano
    ETHIOPIA TOURISM ORGANIZATION Explore ETHIOPIA ONE COUNTRY: MANY CONTRASTS Gonder Erta Ale Volcano Walia Ibex Blue Nile Falls Gheralta Mountains Daily to Ethiopian Tourist Destinations www.ethiopianairlines.com ETHIOPIA RISING I take pride in the that we intend to roll out some destinations that are publication of this guide. over the next three to four already established. Explore Ethiopia is a years to ensure that our publication that will herald destination stands out. There is not a doubt that a new dawn for tourism Currently, we are working Ethiopia is rising and development in Ethiopia. on an inventory of our rising very fast. We want to tourism products before sustain this by growing our Our intention is to help going out to the market to economy further. build on this so that we can show what Ethiopia as a showcase the very best of destination has to offer. Ethiopia as a tourism and OUR GOAL, THEREFORE IS TO investment destination. PARTNERSHIPS PACKAGE THIS DESTINATION AND The Ethiopia Tourism One of our major strategies PRESENT A NEW VIBRANT BRAND Organization (ETO) was will be pegged on FOR ETHIOPIA AS A DESTINATION formed by the government partnerships with other of Ethiopia as the sole tourism stakeholders in marketing agency for Ethiopia, in the region and Tourism is one sector destination Ethiopia. The internationally. that has the potential ETO is also tasked with of taking Ethiopia to a the role of developing For instance, we have whole new level and it is new tourism products for partnered with national through this organization Ethiopia.
    [Show full text]
  • A Survey of Representative Land
    1 A SURVEY OF REPRESENTATIVE LAND CHARTERS OF THE ETHIOPIAN EMPIRE (1314-1868) AND RELATED MARGINAL NOTES IN MANUSCRIPTS IN THE BRITISH LIBRARY, THE ROYAL LIBRARY AND THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES OF CAMBRIDGE AND MANCHESTER by Haddis Gehre-Meskel Thesis submitted to the University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy June 1992 ProQuest Number: 10672615 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10672615 Published by ProQuest LLC(2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 This work is humbly dedicated to the memory of His Grace Abune Yohannes, Archbishop of Aksum. ( 1897 - 1991 ) May his lifelong work in the service of the Ethiopian Church and people continue to bear fruit and multiply. 3 ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to compile and analyse information about ownership, sales and disputes of land in Ethiopia helween 1314 and 1868 on the basis of documents which are preserved in the marginalia of Ethiopia manuscripts in the Collections of the British Library, the Royal Library at Windsor Castle and the University Libraries of Cambridge and Manchester.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethiopia: Cradle of Civilization January 19-February 2, 2022
    Ethiopia: Cradle of Civilization January 19-February 2, 2022 15 days for $5,997 total price from Washington, DC ($5,395 air & land inclusive plus $602 airline taxes and fees) This tour is provided by Odysseys Unlimited, six-time honoree Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Tour Operators award. An Exclusive Small Group Tour for Members of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Dear VMFA Members, Join VMFA on an exclusive 15-day small group tour to Ethiopia – a place like no other. On this unparalleled journey, experience the fascinating history, extraordinary wildlife, and rich culture of one of Africa’s most beautiful countries. Begin your voyage sightseeing in diverse Addis Ababa, including Lucy’s 3.2-million-year-old bones in the National Museum. Upon arrival on the shores of Lake Tana, visit the Negede people, travel by boat to see ancient churches, and admire the Blue Nile Falls. Tour Gondar’s evocative 17th-century castle complex. With two nights in Simien Mountains National Park, admire this spectacular UNESCO landscape. Explore Axum’s famed archeological sites, then discover Lalibela’s incredible rock churches. Your journey concludes back in Addis Ababa. You have the option to extend your stay and encounter Southern Ethiopia’s traditional tribes and a national park with a 6-day/5-night post-tour extension. Space on this exciting program is limited and will fill quickly. Your deposit is fully refundable up until 95 days before departure. Book risk-free today! Sincerely, Adele “Hutch” Livingston Coordinator of Member Travel VMFA RESERVATION FORM – ETHIOPIA: CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION Enclosed is my/our deposit for $______($500 per person) for ____ person(s) on Ethiopia: Cradle of Civilization, departing January 19, 2022.
    [Show full text]
  • 10 Best Mountain Treks in Africa 1 MOUNT KILIMANJARO TANZANIA
    10 Best Mountain Treks in Africa From the Atlas Mountains of Morocco all the way down to South Africa’s Drakensberg, Africa has got the best and most popular trekking destinations with Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in the continent at the top of the list. 1 MOUNT KILIMANJARO TANZANIA Climbing Africa’s highest mountain peak is not for the faint of heart. At 19,336 feet high, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak. Every year at least 20,000 people attempt to climb up the mountain through the 5 different climatic zones. Situated in the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania, this geological wonder is any mountaineers dream climb. There are different routes up Mount Kilimanjaro. Each route has a degree of difficulty in climbing, traffic and scenic beauty. The longer the route you take the less difficult the climbing is and the more you enjoy trekking up the mountain. The least difficult routes are Marangu and Rongai; the more difficult routes are Machame, Shira, and Lemosho. The longer routes have more difficult hiking but you'll be more acclimatized and your chances of reaching the summit are therefore higher. Kilimanjaro National Park is rich in unique bird life, wildlife and beautiful flora. We suggest getting to know the area before your trek, as there is so much to enjoy before your climb. Due to the proximity to the equator and warm Indian ocean, much of the mountain slopes are rich areas of forest, with 195 unique bird species that call this home. As you ascend the mountainous terrain, the landscape changes from lush forest to alpine moorland, interspersed with valleys and ravines.
    [Show full text]
  • The QUEST for the ARK of the COVENANT As This Book Was Going to Press the Publishers Received the Sad News of the Death of the Author, Stuart Munro- Hay
    The QUEST for the ARK OF THE COVENANT As this book was going to press the Publishers received the sad news of the death of the author, Stuart Munro- Hay. It is their hope and expectation that this book will serve as a fitting tribute to his lifelong dedication to the study of Ethiopia and its people. The QUEST for the ARK OF THE COVENANT THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE TABLETS OF MOSES STUART MUNRO-HAY Published in 2005 by I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd 6 Salem Road, London W2 4BU 175 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10010 Website: http://www.ibtauris.com In the United States and Canada distributed by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10010 Copyright © Dr Stuart Munro-Hay, 2005 The right of Stuart Munro-Hay to be identified as the author of this work has been assert- ed by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. ISBN 1-85043-668-1 EAN 978-185043-668-3 A full CIP record for this book is available from the British Library A full CIP record for this book is available from the Library of Congress Library of Congress catalog card: available Typeset in Ehrhardt by Dexter Haven Associates Ltd, London Printed and bound in Great Britain by MPG Books Ltd, Bodmin Contents Preface and Acknowledgements .
    [Show full text]
  • February 27, 2002
    ETHIOPIA HISTORIC NORTH & MTNS 9-Day Group Tour of Ancient Sites & Simien Mountains Experience Northern Ethiopia on this small group Duration trip, including fascinating sites such as rock-hewn 9 days churches, impressive stalea and lively markets in 2016 Departures Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum & Lalibela. Plus explore the Jan 17 (Timkat Festival in stunning scenery of the Simien Mountains with an Gondar), Feb 5, Mar 15, Apr opportunity to view endemic Gelada baboon. 19 (Palm Sunday Festival in Axum), May 28, Jul 13, Aug DAY 1 – ADDIS ABABA: On arrival at Addis Ababa Bole 1, Sep 18 (Meskel Festival in International Airport, you will be met by your guide and then Addis Ababa), Oct 12, Nov 25 transfer to your hotel. Overnight Jupiter International or similar. (St. Marry Axum Zion Festival in Axum), Dec 11 DAY 2 – BAHIR DAR: Fly from Addis to Bahir Dar and visit the Blue Nile Falls before lunch. In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Accommodations Ethiopia’s largest body of water - Lake Tana (1,390 square miles) Basic & Eco-Lodges to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret (14th Fitness Rating Century AD) and Azwa Mariam (14th Century AD). Overnight Easy Abyminch Hotel or similar. (B, L, D) Activities DAY 3 – GONDAR: Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar, the 17th century capital of Ethiopia. In the Cultural tours, stunning afternoon, visit the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ‘Bath of scenery & wildlife Emperor Fasiladas’, the church of Quskuam Mariam (17th century AD), the residence of Empress Mintwab, and the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its wall and ceiling paintings of Land-only price* angels.
    [Show full text]
  • Simien Mountains National Park
    2013-2014 First Enhancing our Heritage Assessment at Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP), WHS Compiled and Edited by Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) Final Draft Report - February 2014 1. Introduction to the Project Area, Simien Mountains National park Ethiopia is a relatively vast country with a land area of 1.2 million square kilometers and a wide variety of topography and climate. It comprises of over seven ecosystems that range from afro- alpine to evergreen montane forest and desert scrubland areas. As a result, Ethiopia is endowed with great variety of flora and fauna and the extreme ranges have resulted in unique and diverse suite of its biological resources. Ethiopia has the largest extent of afro alpine and sub-afro-alpine habitats in Africa. One of the major protected areas of the country that was set aside since four decades ago to conserve the afro-alpine habitats and their unique flora and fauna is the Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP). It is a home to a number of threatened and endemic species of which the Walia ibex and the Ethiopian wolf are listed as critically endangered. Taking its outstanding value and the unique features into account, the park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. The inscription was made on the basis of its importance for biodiversity and its exceptional natural beauty. However, the park has been under serious threat from expansion of settlement and cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation and associated perturbation. These anthropogenic pressures resulted in deterioration of the park habitats in general and decline of populations of flagship species, particularyly the Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf.
    [Show full text]
  • The Relocation of the Village of Arkwasiye in the Simien Mountain National Park in Ethio- Pia: an Intervention Towards Sustainable Development?
    Research eco.mont - Volume 4, Number 2, December 2012 ISSN 2073-106X print version 13 ISSN 2073-1558 online version: http://epub.oeaw.ac.at/eco.mont The relocation of the village of Arkwasiye in the Simien Mountain National Park in Ethio- pia: an intervention towards sustainable development? Tiru Berihun Tessema, Michael Jungmeier & Michael Huber Keywords: National Park, World Heritage, Ethiopia, relocation, protected area management, development co-operation, UNESCO Abstract Profile The study analyses the effects of the relocation of the village Arkwasiye in the Simien Protected Area Mountains National Park, a most spectacular landscape in the northern highlands of Ethiopia. The relocation was deemed necessary as just one component in a bundle Simien Mountain National Park of measures proposed by the UNESCO World Heritage Commission. In 2007 some 165 households were relocated voluntarily to the new village of Kayit. The socio-eco- nomic effects of the relocation were evaluated by carrying out on-site interviews with Mountain range the residents. The results indicate that the relocated villagers are satisfied with the new infrastructures and social services. However, relocation has also brought certain Simien Mountains disadvantages with far-reaching consequences for the everyday life of the villagers, and thus their livelihoods, as these have led to a considerable loss of earning oppor- Country tunities and – against the aims of the relocation – to intensified grazing in the area. The authors discuss these results in the light of a recent global discussion on relocation Ethiopia for conservation purposes and come up with five recommendations. Close monitor- ing of key parameters is seen as a minimum requirement for such an undertaking.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report Prepared by Jorgelina Marino, Eric Bedin Claudio Sillero-Zubiri and EWCP Team
    April 2017 Annual Report Prepared by Jorgelina Marino, Eric Bedin Claudio Sillero-Zubiri and EWCP Team ©ThierryGrobet ewcp annual report | 1 Contents p3, Executive Summary p4, A letter from our Founder & Director p5, Invited Contribution p6, Monitoring wolves and threats p15, Disease control and prevention p18, Habitat protection p20, Outreach and education p24, Research and capacity building p27, News p29, Project Administration p30, Our donors p32, The EWCP Team p34, Why Choose EWCP p34, Contact Us Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme Our Vision Our vision is to secure Ethiopian wolf populations and habitats across their present distribution, and to extend the species range, stressing its role as a flagship for the conservation of the Afroalpine ecosystem on which present and future generations of Ethiopians also depend. ewcp annual report | 2 Executive Summary 2016 was marked by widespread unrest in Ethiopia affecting several EWCP sites, culminating with the declaration of a state of emergency in September. In spite of the many logistic and administrative complications that ensued, most of our activities were implemented in full and with positive results. Thanks to the hard work of our Wolf Monitors we can report that wolves in Bale Mountains are on their way to recovery from recent rabies and distemper epizootics, with a 30% growth. Many pups were born, and we are confident this will translate to successful recruitment into the population. Our monitoring teams continue to expand, with more Wolf Monitors and Wolf Ambassadors recruited across the Ethiopian highlands. To ensure that threats to wolves are detected and reported efficiently, we are providing training to staff in the Arsi, South Wollo and Simien mountains.
    [Show full text]