Abuna Yoseph - Lalibela's best kept secret

Shepherd boy on Abuna Yoseph

Towering above Lalibela to the East is the majestic mountain called Abuna Yoseph. Its peak, Rim Gedele, never properly surveyed, registered at 4,300 meters above sea level (14,107ft) on GPSs on our recent trip. This means it is probably the highest peak outside the Bale and Simien mountains.

The mountain is one of the remaining habitats for the endangered Ethiopian Wolf, which only lives in the Afro-Alpine habitat found on Ethiopia's highest points. There are two packs on Abuna Yoseph itself, which can be seen early in the morning.

Ethiopian Wolf familly photographed by Martin Harvey- for more of Martin's photos see website http://www.wildimagesonline.com

In addition to the Wolf, large troops of Gelada Baboon, numbering a few hundred are easily seen. Also numerous Lammergeyer (known for soaring up high with bones and dropping them to break them open to then take out the marrow) and Augur Buzzards preying on the same rodents as the Wolves, and a wide variety of other birds of prey.

Jagged edges arround the peak of Abuna Yoseph

From Abuna Yoseph's peak a panoramic view that takes in distant peaks including Mount Choke in Gojam (between Addis and Bahir Dar!).

This fragile ecosystem is coming under increasing pressure from surrounding villagers who bring their livestock to the top for grazing. Without an alternative way for communities to gain an income from the mountain its special habitat and the animals for whom that habitat is home will die out.

TESFA is currently raising money along with the the Afro-alpine Ecosystem Conservation Project Frankfurt Zoological Society to expand the community tourism activities to this wonderful mountain. Enough funds have been raised to develop the first site and work will start on that during the course of 2007. See donations page for information on how you can support TESFA to do this work.

For more information regarding Frankfurt Zooligical Society see: http://www.fzs.org

Leanne, Woldi and Mark at Rim Gedele - 4,300 m on a explorative visit on Abuna Yoseph - Oct '06.