Menz-Guassa Conservation Area

The Menz-Guassa Community Conservation Area, north-east of Addis Ababa, is a properly remote highland area, with a range of vegetation/landscapes from forested slopes to high afro-alpine shrub-and-grassland in magnificent mountain scenery.

While small (98 sq km), it is well protected and home to classic Ethiopian wildlife, including a few Ethiopian wolves and gelada monkeys. Excellent bird life includes augur buzzards and other raptors. It is also relatively intact culturally.

There is community-led trekking to be done here, backed by the Frankfurt Zoological Society. There is a “community lodge” you can stay at, and a remote camping area. There is a variety of walks you can make, from day walks to 3-nighters. Walkopedia would really like to walk here.

Quite an effort to get to, down a long, rough track; a long half day (some 260km) from Addis Ababa. Walking and accommodation need to be booked ahead.

See www.guassarea.org for further information.

High Rainfall July-September: Altitude 3,200-3,700m, so you will need to be careful about acclimatisation and altitude issues.

Walkopedia would make sure it gets here when it gets back to Ethiopia.