Wanchi’s tourist potential is immense but it remained a hidden jewel in Ethiopian tourism.  For long time Wanchi was frequented by adventurous international tourists who could overcome inaccessibility challenges. During the last few decades, a 65km gravel road was constructed between the two nearest regional towns, Ambo and Waliso. This slowly opened up Wanchi area for domestic and international tourists.

A Jewel in Ethiopian Tourism

Wanchi Lake is located in Oromia region of Ethiopia, South West Shoa Zone, about equal distance between Waliso and Ambo towns.  The volcanic eruption that created the Wanchi Crater Lake shaped a unique topography. The circular ridge around the lake formed a picturesque appearance to the lake and its surroundings.  The highest peak on the ridge is 3386 at Ya’ii Chaboo (literally Caboo Assembly) and then dramatically drops in all direction, reaching about 2500m within a radius of 5kms. The volcanic event gave Wanchi lake area a funnel like land form, a conical shape resulted from the slopes in the outer ridge and a bowl created from the inner slopes that contain the lake water. Wanchi lake releases its excess water to Walga river, which flows in the south east direction and then turns straight South to eventually reach Gibe River.

Wanchi area tourism have been considerably boosted due to infrastructural development financed through Gebeta Lehager (dine for the nation) initiative. This was a high profile event sponsored by PM Abiy Ahmed to raise funds required to develop a few tourist hotspots, including Wanchi area.  As a result, Wanchi Lake area has had a facelift. The infrastructural renovation included upgrading of Ambo-Waliso road to asphat status, new roads linking to Dandii Lake as well as the perimeter of the lake area as well as all way round the circular ridge. Also, a number of picnic sites with facilities were constructed. A few modern publicly and privately owned eco-lodges were established and started operation.  These are local development initiatives at unprecedented pace and scale by Ethiopian standard.

Wanchi area has immense tourist potential (more will be added to this page. Till then, see https://www.wenchi-crater-lake.com/about.php)