Trekking the Afro-Alpine Highlands of Menz-Guassa

The Guassa Community Conservation Area is one of the most successful examples of indigenous resource management in Africa, preserved by the local community since the 17th century. Located in the central highlands at altitudes reaching 3,500 meters, this "Afro-alpine" moorland is characterized by vast fields of Guassa grass and giant lobelias. For trekkers, Menz-Guassa offers a rugged, high-altitude experience far from the crowded trails of the Simiens. The primary draw for wildlife enthusiasts is the Ethiopian Wolf, the rarest canid in the world. Unlike the wolves of the Bale Mountains, the Guassa population is often easier to spot across the open plains. The area is also home to massive "harems" of Gelada baboons, numbering in the hundreds. The trekking routes range from gentle afternoon walks to multi-day expeditions staying at community-run lodges. Standing on the edge of the Mehal Meda escarpment, where the land drops vertically into the lowlands of the Afar region, provides one of the most dramatic views in the Ethiopian Rift system.