Many unique plants and animals evolved in the isolation of the Ethiopian massif, also a place of great historical and cultural significance. The charismatic Ethiopian wolf is a powerful flagship for Afroalpine conservation.
Ethiopian wolves are protected within two national parks managed by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority: the Simien Mountains National Park in the Amhara National Regional State, created in 1969 and inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978, and the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) in Oromia National Regional State, created in 1970.
More recently, with the extension and creation of new protected areas and community-based conservation initiatives, the amount of suitable wolf habitat protected increased from 40% in 2000 to 87% in 2011.
Bale Mountains National Park
From the largest remaining montane forest, to the largest high-altitude plateau in Africa, this national park has much to offer to tourists that love wild spaces, trekking and wildlife watching. Tourism in Bale is on the increase, contributing to community associations of guides, horse lenders and porters, and local businesses. Useful links: Bale Mountains National Park; Bale Mountains Lodge
Simien Mountains National Park
This park contains the most amazing views and scarpments within the highlands of Ethiopia. Visitor numbers are steadly increasing, mainly attracted by endemic wildlife such as the endangered walia ibex, Ethiopian wolf and gelada. Useful links: Simien Mountains National Park; Simien Lodge; Limalimo Lodge.
Menz-Guassa Community Conservation Area
Located in the Central Highlands, Guassa-Menz is a community-based initiative already attracting many visitors and providing locals with a tangible income and an incentive to conserve this Afroalpine area. Great place to observe Ethiopian wolves and gelada. Useful link: Menz-Guassa Community Conservation Area.
Abuna Yoseph Community Conservation Area
Community-based tourism in this mountain range near Lalibela provides tourists with the opportunity to combine the historic route with mountain trekking and sightings of endemic wildlife including Ethiopian wolves and gelada. Useful link: Abuna Yoseph Community Conservation Area,