ETHIOPIA TRAVEL BLOG
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Ethiopia's new Community village -"LEPHIS" registered by UNESCO

Posted on Fri October 20, 2023.

𝐋𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐍𝐖𝐓𝐎 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐦 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞.

With the effort and dedication of የቱሪዝም ሚኒስቴር-ኢትዮጵያ , the Wonchi eco Tourism Village and the Choke Mountains has been listed in the best tourism village list of UNWTO by 2021 and 2022 respectively.

For this year the Ministry of Tourism-Ethiopia has prepared and submitted the documents of seven community tourism village sites in Ethiopia for UNWTO. Among these Lepis has secured the status of best tourism village of UNWTO for 2023.

#LandOfOrigins #VisitEthiopia

Tucked away in Ethiopia’s Central Rift Valley, Lephis Forest is located four hours from Addis Ababa – just far enough for the bustle of urban life to fade into the slower pace of the traditional village. The forest is among this region’s most pristine and secluded natural wonders, with breathtaking views, endemic bird and wildlife species, and a natural waterfall.

The area’s diverse topography includes mountain chains, valleys and glades, and unspoiled highland forests bursting with unique flora and fauna. The resident wildlife includes leopards, warthogs, bushbuck, mountain nyala, colobus monkeys, thick-billed ravens, African white backed vultures, and blue-breasted bee-eaters.

More than 2,000 households also call the forest home and rely on its natural resources for their livelihoods. They understand the importance of conservation and wise use of natural resources and are currently seeking ways to use the forest sustainably while preserving it for future generations.

The Lephis Ecotourism Cooperative leads guided tours on foot or horseback, offering the perfect opportunity to discover this little-known region, the community, and the idyllic waterfall, which cascades down a lush green cliff face deep in the forest.

The cooperative offers three tours:

Waterfall Hike: Visitors can enjoy a guided hike or horseback ride through the stunning Lephis forest which culminates at the breathtaking Lephis waterfall. Read more…

Dungago Hike: For visitors with more time, the Dungago Trail offers a full day of adventures in the forest. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, a visit to the waterfall, and birdwatching. Read more…

Overnight Camping Adventure: Visitors wishing to spend more time in the forest can stay overnight at the fully equipped Lephis Campsite and enjoy an early morning hike. A great choice for birdwatchers! Read more….

Lephis also has a rich culture of handcrafts. Read more about Lephis Forest artisans and crafts...

Horse handlers in Lephis were trained by Equus Ethiopia, a specialist riding company offering unique access to Ethiopia’s culture through its treks, expeditions and trail rides. To learn more about horseback riding in Ethiopia visit www.equus-ethiopia.com.

By booking a tour with The Lephis Ecotourism Cooperative, you will benefit the cooperative's members and their families. The cooperative also reinvests a percentage of its profits into a community development and conservation fund to help preserve the forest for future generations.

Source: https://rootsofethiopia.com/en/lepis/

Explore Ethiopia with AUTHENTIC ETHIOPIA TOURS – Your Experts in Custom-Designed Tour Packages

Explore Ethiopia with AUTHENTIC ETHIOPIA TOURS - YOUR EXPERTS IN CUSTOM-DESIGNED TOUR PACKAGES THROUGHOUT ETHIOPIA.

Authentic Ethiopia Tours excels in crafting bespoke tour packages that cater to your individual preferences. Whether it's delving into the historical churches of Lalibela, embarking on a trek through the Simien Mountains, or immersing yourself in the dynamic culture of Addis Ababa, we manage every aspect with precision and proficiency. Experience Ethiopia's rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and varied wildlife with our meticulously planned itineraries. Allow us to lead you through the wonders of the Omo Valley, the Danakil Depression, and beyond for a memorable journey.

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What our clients say

WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY

At Authentic Ethiopia Tours, we are committed to delivering exceptional, tailored experiences. Your feedback drives our dedication to authenticity, sustainability, and personalized service. Below, you'll find authentic reviews from guests who have explored Ethiopia's rich culture, history, and landscapes with us. For more information or to connect with past guests, please contact us at: Email: sileshi@authenticethiopiatours.com Or WhatsApp: +251911397590 We’ll gladly obtain their permission to share contact details.
Sileshi was enthusiastic, trustworthy, reliable, flexible and responsive to our needs and requirements and a good communicator and organizer. He was prepared to go the extra mile to make our trip truly memorable.

- Robin & Veronica Cross

Devon, UK
Sileshi is excellent in his talent to bring real authentic life into every day. It was a pleasure for us with his help to meet people, to talk with them and to learn about the way of living.We are frequent travelers and have been in many countries. It would be a pleasure for us if we could find such a guide as Mr. Tesfaye in other countries.

- Walter and Maria Stösser

Germany
Dear Sileshi. Margit and I do thank you for the wonderful trip we had in Ethiopia in October 2017.The magic colours on Erta Ale and in the Dallol region were unbelievably great! The second week of our tour in Lalibela and in the Semien NP were amazing as well.

- Margit and TobiasSwitzerland

Switzerland
Sileshi is very knowledgeable in all aspects of Ethiopian society and was very keen to share with us the history, the culture and customs of the various ethnic groups we visited (Konso, Hammer, Mursi, Karo and more), the food, and the music of his country. We can only praise his kindness towards us and his patience as a guide. We are also very grateful to our resourceful driver Tensaye.... Read More

- Franoise and Sarala

Canada
You won’t be disappointed by Sileshi's professionalism, his competency, and his deep knowledge of Ethiopia. Plus support a local tour company!

- Sahelit Bahiru

University of California, Berkeley
I had the pleasure to travel with Sileshi Tesfaye for two weeks through Ethiopia. He has an excellent understanding of the needs of his international customers and is delivering a great service.

- Dr. Dominik Meyer

Switzerland