Guassa Community Conservation Area, Protected area in Menz region, Ethiopia
The Guassa Conservation Area is a high altitude grassland in central Ethiopia, stretching between 3,200 and 3,700 meters in elevation. The landscape consists of open grazing plateaus, rolling ridges, and clear mountain streams typical of the region.
The area has followed a traditional management system called Qero for approximately 400 years, where elected leaders oversee resource distribution and protection. This system demonstrates how the community learned to manage its environment in a sustainable way.
Local communities here practice traditional crafts like wool weaving in nearby villages, connecting their daily work to the land they protect. These activities reflect how people have learned to live alongside the natural environment for generations.
Reaching the area typically involves traveling about 80 kilometers from the main highway and should be arranged with a local guide. Visitors should prepare for high altitude and bring sturdy footwear and warm clothing, as weather can change quickly.
The area is home to the Ethiopian wolf, one of the world's rarest canine species with fewer than 450 individuals remaining. This extreme rarity makes visits here a chance to witness an endangered species in its natural habitat.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
