BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
If anything I witnessed during this journey, Southern western State is one proof that Ethiopia is a land of contrasts and extremes. It is however unfortuate that Ethiopia hasn’t made its tourist destinations multiple enough to harness increased touristic activities.
For long, exploring, studying and promoting new sites were rare. The tourism sector now seems to be deviating from the old course of operating in a limited focus: developing and promoting established tourist sites. New tourist sites are now being explored, promoted and some even have basked under inscription at the UNESCO.
It is with this spirit we have been visiting various new tourist destinations across the South Ethiopia. Maze National Park, one of the youngest Ethiopian National parks was our destination after visiting Gedeo reserved forests, Hambricho mountain, the spectacular Mogo Kaka and Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch in Arba Minch. We woke up very early and started our journey from Arba Minch.
We ate our breakfast good in Wolaita Sodo. It was a 216.4 km back from Arba Minch. The landscape that made the road winding is good to feast one’s eyes on but difficult to go through. On our arrival, one of the journalists told us the presence of lions in the park. Our bus couldn’t get into the park anymore. We had to change another car. Some got lucky to find a car but some of us were cut out. It was a bit scary knowing there is a lion inside the park.
It was for the first time that I found myself inside a national park that is full of different animal species. To see Swayne Hartebeest by your naked eye is such thrilling experience. Swayne Hartebeests are endemic mammals and exist in Ethiopia with a population that is third in the world. The 220 square KM park is a natural beauty as its vast plain landscape is covered by savanah grassland with Scattered Deciduous Broad Leave Trees. It also possesses rivers. In fact, the park’s name is derived from Maze river: the largest river that crosses the park and drains to omo river.
Having this beauty, the endemic mamals and topography, Maze should have been among top tourist destination like Nechisar National Park or Semien Mountains. It should have facilities and promoted adequately. But Maze isn’t yet adequately accessible as it has gravel road and hotels or resorts aren’t in near by. It is with this regret and commitment the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region commemorated World Tourism Day inside the park.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation themed the day ‘Rethinking Tourism’ considering the sector has been hit by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns and restrictions. But tourism in Ethiopia has also been affected by war and instability.
The region seeks to increase its visibilty in tourism sector by coming up with new ideas and mechanisms. So, it adapted ‘rethinking tourism’ to exploring and developing new tourist destinations. It is exploring, expanding tourism and bidding for registration of additional heritages on UNESCO list.
Parallel with slogan of World tourism, Gofa Zone culture and tourism head Hailemariam Tesfaye says the state is in an encouraging moment to revolutionize the industry through various activities.
“Though we have rich resources of tourism, we haven’t adequately benefited from the sector. We haven’t developed and promoted tourism assests as development policy was largely focused on agriculture and industrialization. Now, this seems to be changing. Hailemariam also says the state wants to building on the unprecedented political and public recognition of the sector.
“ The government is attaching equal emphasis to the sector and we are attempting to revolutionize the sector by adding tourism sites like Maze National park and others. We are also working to fulfill necessary facilities around so that tourist can visit the place easily. Works to register heritages on UNESCO list is also our major task ahead.”
The park is noted for its population of the endangered Swayne’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei), and is said to be second only to Senkelle Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary in importance for that subspecies. Other animals who are common here are
African buffalos, Anubis baboons, Lions, Leopards, Vervet monkeys, oribis, Bohor reedbucks, waterbucks, bushbucks, Lesser kudus, Greater kudus, wheetahs, warthogs, servals, and Bushpigs. Maze National Park is home to 37 species of mammals and 196 species of birds. It is anticipated to be among major tourist destination.
Maze National Park is a secured place as park rangers are nearby and people in Gamo are hospitable. For instance, when we were left alone, it was a visitor who give us a ride. At the end we learnt his being a mayor of a nearby town. It is important to know Maze is hot and dry. So, having essential preparation, it is entertaining to go to Maza National Park, to build your camp site and watch bird and other species. My stay was enjoyable. For anyone who needs a retreat from crowded city and busy life, visiting the southern Ethiopia is a perfect fit.
Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region kept on marveling me and everyone in the field visit.
The Ethiopian Herald November 13/2022
