Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Today, recent sightings in the Arero forest, east of Yabelo, around the Genale River off the Dola-Mena-Negele
Borena road, suggest that the bird may not, after all, be as elusive as it would have us believe. You may find your
own turaco in acacia or conifer woodlands in the southwestern corner of Ethiopia.
The Dankalia region, Omo delta and Ogaden Desert contain drought-resistant plants
such as small trees, shrubs and grasses, including acacia. Succulent species include eu-
phorbia and aloe. The region is classified as desert and semidesert scrubland.
SPOT THE ENDEMIC FLORA
Ethiopia has more unique species of flora than any other country in Africa. This fact is becoming abundantly clear
thanks to the ongoing Flora of Somalia project, which has documented more than 400 new species of flowering
plants in Ethiopia, including a newly discovered acacia tree that grows by the millions over 8000 sq km.
In September and October, look out particularly for Ethiopia's national flower, the famous yellow daisy known
as the Meskel flower, which carpets the highlands; it belongs to the sunflower family, six members of which are
endemic.
In towns and villages, the endemic yellow-flowered
Solanecio gigas
is commonly employed as a hedge.
Around Addis Ababa, the tall endemic
Erythrina brucei
tree can be seen. In the highlands, such as in the Bale
Mountain and Simien Mountain National Parks, the indigenous Abyssinian rose is quite commonly found. Also in
the Bale Mountains, look out for the endemic species of globe thistle
(Echinops longisetus)
.
