BY SOLOMON WASSIHUN
We are in the middle of the coldest and rainiest season of the year. Unlike most Ethiopians who make their living from the crop and grazing fields, this season is somewhat stressful for us, the urbanites. But we have consolation in knowing that many of those living overseas are worse off.
The severity of the cold weather here is a joke compared with that of Europe and America. The more interesting is, we receive the rainy and cold season while much of Europe, Arabia, and North America are under searing heat waves. These sharply contrasting weather conditions signal the presence of an untapped and easily accessible tourism market potential Ethiopia endowed in. And that it is a country alluring to tourism tycoons as a potential holiday destination.
Ethiopia, being home to the largest continuous area of high elevation in the African continent, has a vast landmass blessed with temperate and delightful climatic conditions with a scale rare to find in other African countries. Even some part of the country has uniquely adjusted climatic conditions throughout the year that are ideal for ecotourism, horticulture, and other special economic activities.
Suppose you are in Addis as a business traveler for just a few days, and you are craving a few hours of respite from the hustles and bustles. You may have several quick getaway options to consider. But one destination needs to be included in your options list. It is a popular getaway on the western edge of the Rift Valley and within reach of less than an hour’s drive from the capital -the cozy town of Bishoftu. The town got its name from its rich water resources, and it means ‘the land of excess water bodies’.
Despite its proximity, Bishoftu’s climate considerably contrasts with that of the capital city. This fact is more evident during the current rainy season. When Addis is battered by a continual downpour and covered by the grey cloud with biting cold wind, Bishoftu enjoys a few hours of daily respite from the rain, basking in caressing sunshine, and breathing the temperate sweet-scented fresh air.
The year-round balmy weather of the town, coupled with its unique natural endowments of several crater lakes, the lush green vegetation, the mountains chain, and amazing birdlife have captured the imaginations of thrill-seekers and nature lovers. Out of the fifteen crater lakes in Ethiopia that serve as tourist attractions, the six are in Bishoftu. Like the neighboring major towns [Adama and Mojo], Bishoftu emerged as a town following the establishment of the Ethio-Djibouti railway system in 1917. Despite its small size, Bishoftu is currently the relatively well-developed town nearest to the capital city, pushing itself toward the center of the map of the Ethiopian tourism industry.
Both local and international tourists visit Bishoftu in all seasons. Bishoftu’s fame as a tourist hot spot was well established since imperial times. Even Emperor Haile-Selassie had built a palace in the town. It was his favored weekend retreat. Other senior officials during the imperial time used to have properties near or around the crater lakes scattered around the town. The then Prime Minister, Aklilu Habtewold, spent some of his leisure time in Bishoftu swimming in the Lake Hora-Arsadi.
As the rainy season is a time of school closure, many parents in Addis and nearby towns bring their children to Bishoftu. The youth would swarm in groups from far and near to have a good memorable time. Companies and agencies prefer to hold their major annual events and conferences in Bishofutu. Thus during June, July, and August, the town would brim with an influx of tourists.
And in September, the festive month in the Ethiopian calendar, one of the largest human gatherings in Ethiopia would take place in Bishoftu at a lake called Hora-Arsadi. The Oromo people from every corner of the country would converge at the lake to celebrate a thanksgiving day, known as Irrecha. Some scholars describe Irreecha is the oldest form of monotheism in Africa.
Tourism has a considerable contribution to the town’s economy. The town’s image is changing for the better with breathtaking speed. Hotels, luxury lodges, and uniquely styled resorts, as well as cafes and restaurants, are sprouting like mushrooms. The rapid development of tourism activities has spurred considerable improvement of public utility services, roads, transportation, and other infrastructures in the town.
A study survey indicates that above 70 percent of the town residents’ livelihoods has an attachment to the tourism sector at various levels. Tourism has opened an opportunity for the local community to access the market for their agricultural and artistic products such as cultural clothes, handicrafts, and others. Quite a lot of youth are joining the services industries in the hope of making a decent living in the flourishing tourism in Bishoftu.
Tourism experts suggest that entrepreneurs should tap into tourism opportunities by getting involved in diversifying tourism products of the area. They say there is growing market potential for companies offering such recreational services as hiking, sailing, fishing sport, mountain trekking, agro-tourism, bird watching.
Bishoftu, surrounded by an agrarian society, is reputed for producing one the most sought-after variety of Teff, [the Adaa Magna]. Teff is an indigenous, most widely used staple food grain many Ethiopian households use to make Enjera. Bishoftu is also renowned for its fresh and best-quality vegetable products. Experienced visitors from Addis and other nearby towns do not forget to spend a few minutes at the vegetable stores whenever they set foot in Bishoftu.
The town’s attachments with modern agriculture start from the time of World War ll. The Italian invaders had tried to build a modern agricultural development center in the town. In addition to its strategic location and recreational potential, Bishoftu’s agricultural productivity was one factor that led the Italians to make it their garrison town, before they were chased out by the Ethiopian patriots.
For those who want to explore the best of Bishoftu with a one-day itinerary, prioritizing visits to resorts clustered around Lake Babogaya is advisable. It is less than 15 minutes drive away from the center of Bishoftu. Visitors may enjoy various activities like boat rides, fishing, and bird watching. The lake has breathtaking scenery having the beautiful Mount Yerer as its backdrop. The mountain in itself is a remarkable tourist attraction, as it offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Wild animals like deer, baboons as well as so many birds inhabiting the mountain. Mount Yerer has an easy hiking way as well as being accessible by off-road vehicles till the summit.
Apart from lake Babogaya, vacation hot spots located in the other lakes of the town are also must-see. These include Kuriftu, Bishoftu, and Hora-Arsadi. Though not developed like the other lakes, tourists enjoy visiting the Green Lake [Lake Magarisa] and admire its peculiar color [green] and rich birdlife. It is only 9 km from the town center, just behind the Ethiopian Air Force base, Bishoft’s most unique landmark.
In addition to enjoying the natural beauty surrounding its lakes, tourists come to Bishoftu to enjoy activities in the recently built water park. As East Africa’s largest of its kind, the water park promises an exciting and memorable time to both adult and children visitors. The park offers water play areas such as water slides, splash pads, and places for floating. The water rides would get visitors’ adrenaline pumping and leave them excited for more. Many visitors describe the park as the right place to have fun with family or friends.
The other bucket list item for tourists coming to Bishoftu is experiencing the uniquely Ethiopian fine arts at the African Art Gallery, located in the city center. There is also a museum displaying a collection of historical and cultural heritage dedicated to the development of Oromo culture.
The Ethiopian Herald July 31/2021
