Menagesha Suba State Forest Day trip

8–10 hours Free cancellation Private tour

Menagesha Suba State Forest Day trip, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Menagesha is a state forest since 15 century. It is a special tour package for bird lovers and simple mountain climber.

Nature and Wildlife Tours Mountain Bike Tours Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours 4WD Tours Motorcycle Tours

At a glance

Duration: 8–10 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: German, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by: Finot Tour Ethiopia - Day Tours

Ages: Children (1–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: All Fees and Taxes
Included: Fuel for the car 2 liter bottled water per day per passenger Driver allowance
Included: Lunch
Included: Dinner

Not included

Not included: Things which is not mentioned on included section.

Itinerary

Menagesha Suba Forest Park

8 hours Admission included

We set off at 7.00, heading west on the Jimma road. We pass potters’ markets and take a turn left after the town of Sebeta to mount Wuchacha and the Menegasha forest – the 50 km journey takes about 1 ½ hours. The Emperor Zera Yacob (1434-1468), noticing the degradation of the forest around Mount Wechecha, initiated what was the first reforestation and conservation measure in Africa by having Juniper trees planted. We will take a picnic lunch, making our way up through the forest towards the top of Mount Wechecha. We can expect to see the Abyssinian Catbird, Banded Barbet, Golden-backed Woodpecker, Black-headed Forest Oriole, Wattled Ibis, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Black-winged Lovebird, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Crowned Eagle and Narina’s Trogan. Among the wildlife species recorded here are: Menelik’s Bushbuck, Leopard rarely seen), Colobus Monkey, Serval, Grey Duiker, Hyaena, Warthog, Porcupine and Civet Cat.

After a picnic lunch in the forest, we will return to Addis Ababa by the Ambo road, stopping off at the small town of Addis Alem. Towards the end of the 19th century, faced with a chronic wood shortage around Addis Ababa (ultimately solved through the importation and planting of the fast growing Eucalyptus), Emperor Menelik II thought of transferring his capital here, and one can see today the imperial compound, Menelik’s residence, a dining hall, kitchen and the church of Mariam, which was planned to be the counterpart of Mariamtsion Church in Axum. The church has some interesting paintings and a small museum nearby contains clothes and decorations of former Ethiopian rulers.