Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority
Senkelle Sanctuary
The sanctuary was primarily created for the conservation of the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest. It is the home for 36 mammals and 191 bird species three of which are endemic to Ethiopia. The sanctuary boundary has been dramatically downsized over the past few decades. The original area was 20,000 ha, however, downsized to the current size of 5,400 ha due to settlement and agricultural land expansion. The sanctuary plays a vital role in providing a secure habitat for this scarce subspecies and contributing to the broader conservation initiatives for wildlife.
Access and Accommodation
The SSHS lies approximately 300 km, or a 5-hr drive, south of Addis Abeba. The newly constructed Addis Ababa–Hawassa express road takes you to Shashemene town. The small town of Aje is located 50 km south of Shashemene on the way to Arbaminch. The SSHS main entrance is located 14 km east of Aje town. Currently there is a recently completed community lodge located close to the headquarters. Further, the nearby accommodation options include the 10,000 Flamingos Lodge inside the ASLNP.
All Parks
