The economy of Ethiopia has prospered for many years on agricultural products but currently, the country expands to industrialization and service providing for additional incomes. However, the wildlife tourism and conservation practices are still at low attention. Therefore, this review paper identifies potential opportunities and wildlife diversity to promote wildlife tourism practices in Ethiopia. Furthermore, it also identifies the challenges and future directions to put into practice for future wildlife tourism industry. Wildlife tourism is one of the best potential economies to the country due to the presence of magnificent diversity of wildlife with high endemism and expansion of protected areas. The main intentions of tourists are to visit large mammals and birds with their natural habitats. The country earns million dollars per year only from protected areas through nature based tourism. The Montane and Afroalpine, Rift Valley and Transboundary ecosystem, a world class icon for wildlife tourism which attracts various tourists, and potential tourism destination for Ethiopia due to its high mammalian diversity and scenic area. The expansion of protected areas, peaceful and friendly people, and endemism promote tourism industry in Ethiopia. Even though, Ethiopia is the third country next to Tanzania and Uganda in terms of land surface of protected area; human-wildlife conflict, loss of biodiversity, and limited tourism and conservation attention with poor infrastructure are some of the major challenges. To scale up wildlife tourism industry, better promotion with practical conservation practices, community based tourism approaches and infrastructures should be implemented throughout the whole area of tourist destination.
The interaction between human being and nature was started before million years ago when human being was created. Their relationships have been increased and more intense during the hunt and gathering. Traditionally, many people perceived wildlife as only to some game species (almost exclusively birds, mammals, and fish) that has been hunted. Currently, the term “Wildlife” includes all living organisms that are not domesticated and found in the wild, even those that are not used for sport hunting (non-game species) [
Tourism is an important strategy for socio-economic development in developing countries [
Wildlife tourism can be recognized in many African countries, including Ethiopia: Safari tourism, ecotourism and recreational tourism. The Safari tourism is the most common excursion of national parks; it includes to a large public that is interested in viewing large mammals and colorful birds in a wild with exotic landscape and a range of nature tourism products. Many of these wildlife visitors will also be interested for integrated cultural and natural heritages [
Wildlife tourism is one of the key economic activities for countries that have rich biodiversity and high endemism. Nature based tourism includes a wide range of activities, such as bird-watching, whale-watching, general wildlife viewing, visiting zoos and aquaria, snorkeling to view underwater life, hunting and recreational fishing [
In the previous decades, before the existence of mass tourism, visitors were content with viewing displayed animals in zoological gardens. These days, many tourists desire to get and interact with wild species in their habitats and experience a much more close to realistic habitats [
The main objective of this paper is to provide a review of the wildlife resources and historical development of wildlife tourism in Ethiopia, with particular reference to the opportunities and challenges that the industry faces in order to provide future direction for sustainable tourism development to the country.
Historical Tourism Development in EthiopiaMany developing countries incorporated tourism as one of the main components of their economic development and foreign exchange earners. Gross income is more than 20% of the total value of merchandise exports are the most important export of goods and services. Ethiopia has a long history of conservation. The first recorded indigenous conservation-oriented activity took place during the reign of Emperor Zerea Yacob (1434-1468) [
The country’s geology, archeological sites and landscape as well as cultural diversity have been contributed for tourism development and promotion. However, the wildlife tourism solely dependent on protected areas, primarily national parks and sanctuaries of the country. During the 1970s, trophy hunting was also conducted on a large scale in Ethiopia, though since then, increasing human populations, political instability and encroachment on wildlife habitat have resulted in a 95% decrease in the area used for trophy hunting. The Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) the species most commonly used by operators to attract visiting hunters to Ethiopia. Later, the government knew the importance of wildlife resources (primarily for large animals and scenic places) for tourism development due to revenue and supports the countries income. Therefore, the government has attached due attention to formulate a wildlife development and protection strategy in harmony with the country’s goal, and the existing international natural resources development and protection principles [
Ethiopia is located at 3˚30'N and 15˚00'N latitude and 33˚E and 48˚E longitudes in the horn of Africa, and one of the wildlife biodiversity centers of the world [
The biogeographic of the country characterized by two features; namely the arid horn of Africa (Ogaden) and mosaic highland plateau [
Unlike the flora of Ethiopia, the fauna is not well investigated and documented. However, I tried to compile documents obtained from different literature to show the mammalian diversity that could contribute for tourism information and conservation development strategies (see
Currently, around 320 species of mammal including 39 endemics (both small and large mammals), 918 birds with 19 endemic species, 240 reptiles (16 endemics), 71 amphibians (30 endemics) and 172 freshwater fishes with 38 endemics and more than 1225 insects recorded in Ethiopia (
Main Category | Sub Category | # of Species | # of Endemic Species |
---|---|---|---|
Vertebrates | Mammal | 320 | 39 |
Birds | 918 | 19 | |
Reptiles | 240 | 16 | |
Amphibians | 71 | 30 | |
Fish | 172 | 38 | |
Invertebrates | Insects | Arthropod 1225 | 7 (Butterflies) |
Vascular Plants | 6500 | 625 |
Source: [
[
The floral part of Ethiopia varies from montane forests with coniferous and broadleaved forests, vast savannah, steppes and to deserts are interrupted by lakes with acacia commiphora woodland ecosystem, crossed by rivers and streams accompanied by galley forests [
Protected areas are the main focus for the maintenance of biological diversity and contribute for economic developments of a nation. In the past few decades, the numbers of protected areas in developing countries are expanding [
The incredible biogeography of Ethiopia is characterized by four distinct regions, namely; the Highlands, Rift Valley, Western Lowlands, and the Eastern Arid Areas of the country [
The extensive highlands of Ethiopia are unique in Africa and home to high proportions of endemics. The Ethio-
No | Protected Area | Federal | Region | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | National Parks | 11 | 10 | 21 |
2 | Wildlife Sanctuaries | 2 | 1 | 3 |
3 | Wildlife Reserves | 1 | 2 | 3 |
4 | Controlled Hunting Areas | - | 18 | 18 |
5 | Open Hunting Areas | - | 7 | 7 |
6 | Community Conservation Areas | - | 3 | 3 |
Source: [
Eco-Region | Focal Protected Areas |
---|---|
Montane & Afroalpine | Bale Mountains National Park Simien Mountains National Park |
Great Rift Valley | Chebera Churchura National Park Nech-Sar National Park Senkelle Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary |
Transboundary Migratory Ecosystem | Gambella National Park |
pian highlands consists of Afroalpine ecosystem and mountainous vegetation vary with coniferous and broadleaved forests and ericaceous vegetation types. The Afroalpine ecosystem contains protected areas including Bale Mountains National Park and Simien Mountains National Park and described below.
1) Bale Mountain National Park
a) Unique features
Bale Mountains National Park (the largest Afroalpine ecosystem in Africa) is encompassed within geographical coordinates of 6˚29'N - 7˚10'N and 39˚28'E - 39˚57'E. The park includes a major Afro alpine plateau over 3500 m above sea level as well the slopes to the south that include low land tropical moist forest down to 1500 m above sea level. The presence of largest Afroalpine habitat in Africa, steeper slope of the forest on Harenna escarpment, Mount Batu, Sanetti Plateau, Erica with giant plant lobelia and ecosystem of the park attracts numerous tourists. The park’s habitat can be divided into five habitats: the Northern Grasslands (Gaysay Valley), Northern Woodlands (Park Headquarters), Afro-alpine Meadows (Sanetti Pleateau), Erica Moorlands, and the Harenna Forest. A large part of the park ranged from 3000 to 4377 m above sea level and this is the second highest peak of Ethiopia next to Ras Dashen of northern highlands. Tulluu Dimtu is the highest peak of the park delivers excellent view for tourists [
b) Key species contributed for tourism
The mountains provide habitat and home of the endemic and endangered species (presented on
2) Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP)
a) Unique features
Simien Mountains National Park is located on geographical coordinates about 13˚9'N and 38˚15'E with an area of about 233 km2 adjacent to Mt. Ras Dashen, the highest summit of the country and the fourth highest peak in Africa. It has been created due to mass erosion over the years of Ethiopian plateau which is spectacular landscapes in the world, with beautiful mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp cliffs dropping some 1500 meter above sea level. The park is the most beautiful mountain area in the world and occupies chains of plateau and grassy plains [
The park has a global impact for biodiversity conservation because of it is home to globally threatened and flagship species, including the iconic Walia ibex, a wild mountain goat found nowhere else in the world, the Gelada baboon and the Ethiopian wolf and therefore, those mammals contribute for tourism industry [
The magnificent of the Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia consists of both aquatic ecosystems including lakes, rivers and giant waterfalls, and terrestrial with savannah crowded with game, dense and wonderful bush land area [
1) Chebera Churchura National Park (CCNP)
Chebera Churchura National Park is one of the recently established in 2007 protected areas and located about 330 and 460 km southwest of Hawassa and Addis Ababa, respectively [
the central Omo Gibe basin of Rift Valley in the Southern Nation Nationalities Peoples and Regional State, Ethiopia. It lies between 36˚27'00"E - 36˚57'14"E and 6˚56'05"N - 7˚08'02"N and covers an area of 119 km2 with altitudinal range of 700 - 2400 m above sea level [
The vegetation of the park can be divided in to four categories; montane forest, riverine forest, woodland and grassland vegetation types with high species composition. Its topographic feature is characterized by unique and very attractive with highly heterogeneous and hilly terrain, few flat lands and highly undulating to rolling plains with incised river and perennial streams, valley and gorges.
a) Fauna as a key species
The exceptional and variety of habitat hosts about 37 larger mammals and 237 species of birds in the park. Five large mammals “big five” species occur namely; African elephant (Loxodonta africana), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Lion (Panthera leo) and Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious) in the park. In addition to these key species, Gureza (Colobus guereza), Bush baby (Gelago senegalensis), Savanna baboon (Papio cy- nocephalus), Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Bushpig (Potamocherus larvatus), Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsipprymus), Common duiker (Sylvicapra oreotragus), Golden jackal (Canis aureus), Honey badger (Mellovora capensis), African civet (Civettictis civetta), White tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda), Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Leopard (Panthera paradus), Aardvark (Orycteropus afer),
Ground squirrel (Xerus erythropus), Porcupine (Hystrix cristata) and Nile crocodiles were some of the mammals recorded in the park [
2) Nech-Sar National Park
Nech-Sar National Parkis among IUCN category II National Park in Ethiopia and established in 1974 to conserve the endemic Swayne’s hartebeest and other key species as well as preserving its scenic beauty (
The park’s landscape includes extensive grasslands, savannah, mountains and hills and has a variety of habitats ranging from savannah, dry bush and ground water forests. Most of the park is covered in thick bush land with wooded valleys and foothills at the base of the Amaro Mountains. About 15% of the park consists of Lake Abaya and Chamo around that contributes groundwater forest and shoreline habitats, home for aquatic dependent animals [
a) Dominant flora of the park
The beautiful and diverse evergreen habitat which is dominated by large trees such as the Giant figs, Ficus sycomorus and Ficus vasta, forest mahogany, Trichilia dregana, and the Sermule Valley characterized by classic dry season habitat with large umbrella acacias (Acacia tortilis) and sycamore figs (Ficus sycomorus). Freshwater springs attract variety of butterflies and dragonflies some of them are endemic species.
b) Fauna and key species
The aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem of Nech-Sar National Park harborsmore than 37 mammals and 330 bird species. Among these large mammals, Swayne’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei), Burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli), Grant’s gazelle (Nanger granti), Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsipprymus), Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), Bohor reedbuck (Redunca redunca), Oribi (Ourebiaourebi), Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), Common Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Guenther’s dik-dik (Madoqua guentheri), Grey Duicker (Sylvicapra grimmia), Bush duiker (Sylvicapra oreotragus), Bush pig (Potamocherus larvatus), and Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious). Lion (Panthera leo), Leopard (Panthera paradus), Serval cat (Leptailurus serval), Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Common jackal (Canis aureus) and Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) are the major predators recorded in the park (
c) Attractive features of the park
The presence of many large mammals and avifaunal diversity with two major lakes; Abaya and Chamo, Nech-Sar plain, Rift Valley escarpment, 40 hot springs nearby, white creamy grass covers the central plains, the “crocodile market” located on the northwestern shores of Lake Chamo attracts both local and international tourists.
3) Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary
Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best tourist destination protected areas found in the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia. It is located between 7˚10'N and 38˚15'E, and on the western side of the Great Rift Valley, west of Hawassa and 320 km south of Addis Ababa. The Sanctuary was established in 1976 to protect the endemic and endangered antelope species, Swayne’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei), and currently covers 54 km2 [
a) Faunas and habitat types
The sanctuary characterized by montane savannah and acacia woodland habitat is quite scenic with Tesisa, Borena and Lalima hills and mountainous view. Swayne’s hartebeest is one of the flagship species to the sanctuary and it harbors other wild animals including Bohor reedbuck (Redunca redunca), Lion (Panthera leo), Greater
kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), Oribi (Ourebia ourebi), Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Servalcat (Leptailurus serval), Civet cat (Civettictis civetta), Caracal (Caracal caracal), Warthog (Phacocoerus aethiopicus), Grivet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), Crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata), Aardvark (Orycteropus afer), Abyssinian hare (Lepush abessinicus) and common jackal (Canis aureus) (
1) Gambella National Park (GNP)
Gambella National Park founds on at the edge of southwestern lowlands of Ethiopia and established in 1974 to conserve a diverse assemblage of wildlife and unique habitats particularly key species (
a) Wildlife diversity of the park
Gambella National Park’s vegetation covered by shrub lands, flood plains, woodland and forest with long savannah grasses. The park is very undistinguished from other protected areas of the country by transboundary habitats and hosts numerous migratory ungulates [
Gambella National Park has a variety of wildlife; more than 41 large mammals and 300 bird species of which 11 are Sudan-Guinea Biome species. The most common large mammals found in the mixed habitats are African elephant (Loxodonta africana), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Lion (Panthera leo), Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Giraffe, Taing (Topi), Bush pig (Potamocherus larvatus), Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsipprymus), Nile lechwe, Burchell’s zebra.The swampy and savanna-dwelling species hosts many mammals such as the Nile lechwe (Kobus megaceros), White-eared kob (Kobus kob leucotis), Roan antelope and Bohor reedbuck (Redunca redunca), while primates include the Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) [
In other hand, Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious), Nile crocodiles and perch, and other freshwater fishes, amphibians and reptiles hosted by rivers at Gambella National Park. Furthermore, variety of fresh water fishes, amphibian and reptile species are found in this region [
b) Unique features
The flat landscape that supports deciduous woodlands, grassland vegetation and plain games, and perhaps be one of the best wildlife areas of the country. It also has high set of Wildlife, which the country shares with neighboring countries including White-eared kob, Nile Lechwe, Roan Antelope, Topi and Elephant. Further-
more, the near threatened Shoebill and Basra Reed Warbler have been recorded. The area holds 11 Sudan-Gui- nea Biome species holding 69% of Ethiopia’s total assemblage for this category. The largest wetland area and four major rivers crossing the park (Baro, Alwero, Gilo, Akobo) is one of the tourist destination sites in Ethiopia.
Other important aspects for tourism industry are peace and security of either the site or country, where tourists hosted. The multi-cultural and great hospitality of people with various ethnic groups who speak their own language and identity in every corners as well as variety of religious ceremony have its own contribution for tourism development. In East Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda are likely to achieve growth of between 6.5% and 7.5% in 2014/15 [
Many protected areas in Ethiopia are threatened due to ever increasing of population, habitat loss and degradation [
Conflicts over natural resources between the communities living adjacent to protected area and tourism development have increased in recent years because of changes in land use and accompanying new ideas about wildlife resource management and utilization [
The varieties of large animals in Ethiopia are many and their distributions are dependent on the protected
areas (primarily on national parks and sanctuaries) with insufficient protection [
Deforestation resulting land degradation is the global threats for many wild animals with its natural habitat and affects the wild animal’s life style in their preferred habitats. The forest cover of Ethiopia has been approximately 40 % of its land a century ago but now has declined to only 3% [
Poaching and illegal wildlife trade activities in and around the park, as well as the unwise use of natural resources have been the major problems facing the park and have led to the extinction of some fauna species [
During the 1970s, trophy hunting was also conducted on a large scale in Ethiopia, though since then, aggregate human populations, political instability and encroachment on wildlife habitat have resulted in a 95% de-
crease in the area used for trophy hunting. Trophy-animal hunting (e.g. elephant or buffalo) accumulate high revenue for safari hunters and provide income for the rural resident communities. Mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoniis) is the most commonly species used by operators to attract visiting hunters to Ethiopia [
The wildlife tourism industry of Ethiopia is mainly dependent on protected areas (national parks and sanctuaries). The country has rich in wildlife diversity; exclusively large mammals and attract many tourists locally and internationally. Nature based tourism offers high revenue away from agricultural production. The Ethiopia’s protected areas are expanding; currently more than 55 including national parks and sanctuaries. The three eco-re- gion; montane and Afroalpine ecosystem, Great Rift Valley and southwestern transboundary ecosystem are best tourism destination in Ethiopia. Nature-based tourism which serves dual purposes; protects the various unique wildlife species and improving the livelihoods of local communities. However, protected areas and tourism destination sites are under severe threat. Failure to conserve protected areas will have dire consequences for biodi-
versity conservation; will preclude the sustainable use of wildlife as a development option and have long term negative impacts on tourism industry in general.
The wildlife conservation authorities have to; stress on to decrease the negative impacts on nature and culture which damage a tourism destination through education or teaching the importance of conservation benefits. Direct revenue from conservation and management of protected area, strive and maximize economic benefit for the host country and local communities, especially peoples living in and adjacent to protected areas. Further infrastructure expanding and the locals have to be benefited from the visitors.
I would like to thank for my family, Wolkite University especially department of Natural Resource Management staff members, and scholars who support and provide information for this manuscript and cooperation to be fruitful. I also thanks to the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority for providing different pictures and supporting this ideas.
AlemnehAmare, (2015) Wildlife Resources of Ethiopia: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Directions: From Ecotourism Perspective: A Review Paper. Natural Resources,06,405-422. doi: 10.4236/nr.2015.66039