Yabello Wild Life Sanctuary

Administered by: Oromia

Distance from Addis: 570 km

Year of establishment: 1986

Area: 2,500 km2

Key Species: Burchell’s Zebra, Ostrich, Borena Gazelle.

What’s special about this park? Originally set up to protect and conserve the Swayne’s hartebeest, this sanctuary is made up of savannah with woody and herbaceous plants.

Guassa Community Conservation Area

Administered by: Regional Government

Region: Amhara

Distance from Addis: 260 km

Year of establishment: 2012

Area: 100 km2

Key species: Gelada Monkey, Ethiopian Wolf, Birds of Prey

What’s special about this park? Born of one of the oldest common property resource management systems in sub-Saharan Africa, Guasa has been managed by the Qero system since the 17th century. Rolling hills to a steep plateau provide spectacular scenery.

Babile Elephant Sanctuary

Administered by: Federal Government

Region: Somali and Oromia

Distance from Addis: 557 km

Year of establishment: 1970

Area: 6,987 km2

Key species: Elephant, Lion, Lesser kudu

What’s special about this park? Created to protect a native elephant sub-species, this sanctuary is lined with Jurassic limestone scenery.

Senkele Swaynes Sanctuary

Administered by: Federal Government

Region: Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s

Distance from Addis: 300 km

Year Established: 1974

Area: 54 km2

Key species: Swayne’s hartebeest, Bohor reedbuck, Oribi, Leopeard, Greater kudu.

What’s special about this park? Visit this sanctuary for spectacular views of the Lalima and Borena hills. The small size of the reserve and open terrain make it the one place in Ethiopia where Swaynes hartebeest sightings are practically guaranteed.

Source: EWCA