Mount Abuna Yosef- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Mount Abuna Yosef rises to about 4,260 meters in the Lasta massif of Ethiopia's Semien Wollo Zone, making it the sixth‑highest peak in the country and nineteenth highest in Africa. Its slopes host a mosaic of vegetation—from montane dry forests of Erica, juniper, and wild rose between 3,000–3,600 m, to Afro‑alpine grassland with giant lobelias and Festuca above 3,600 m—supporting some 43 mammal species (including the endemic Ethiopian wolf and gelada baboon) and over 220 bird species, of which 16 are endemic, making it one of Ethiopia's most important conservation zones. The Abuna Yosef Community Conservation Area covers roughly 70 km², showcasing community-based stewardship paired with efforts to safeguard this high-elevation ecosystem. At the mountain's foot and along trekking routes lie several centuries-old rock‑hewn churches—most notably Gennete Maryam and the cave‑ensconced Yemrehana Krestos, built in the 11th–12th century in Aksumite style. These architectural sites reflect medieval Ethiopian Christian heritage and are less frequented than those in Lalibela, though they are only about 12 km northeast of that historic town. Accessible via community-run guesthouses and guided hikes starting at Wendatch (around 3,500 m), multi‑day treks offer cultural encounters in traditional highland villages, immersive support to local residents, and panoramic views across fertile valleys and distant escarpments.