Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS
Carpeted in lush forests, dense patchworks of cultivation, shady coffee plantations and
deep river valleys, the western highlands seem like an Ethiopian Arcadia.
Gefersa Reservoir
If you're into
birdwatching
, a stop at the Gefersa Reservoir may be warranted. Wattled
ibis, endemic blue-wing geese and, occasionally, pelicans peruse its sparsely vegetated
shores. The reservoir lies 18km west of Addis Ababa and supplies the capital with its wa-
ter.
Addis Alem
POP 13,424 / ELEV 2360M
This unremarkable agricultural town 55km west of Addis Ababa was to be the site of Em-
peror Menelik II's future capital - Addis Alem literally means 'New World' in Amharic.
The emperor had sent engineers and builders to start construction here when Addis Ababa
was crippled by late-19th-century firewood shortages. The introduction of eucalyptus trees
ended up saving the new flower (Addis Ababa) and killed the new world.
Of the remaining buildings,
St Maryam Church
(admission Birr100)
is the most inter-
esting. It stands out for its lavish decoration: the basilica's exterior, as well as the
maqdas
(inner sanctuary), is entirely covered with murals. The adjacent
museum
(admission Bir-
r50; 9am-noon & 1-3pm)
displays crowns and clothing belonging to Menelik and Haile
Selassie, as well as relics from the Battle of Adwa and a gold inland box that local legend
says once contained the Ark of the Covenant. The site sits atop a rocky hill 600m south of
the main road.
Numerous buses pass heading east to Addis Ababa (Birr15, 1½ hours) and west to Ambo
(Birr25, two hours).
