Located about 150 km west of Addis Ababa in the Oromia region, the village of Wonchi is one of the most spectacular tourist destinations in Ethiopia.

The incredible beauty of the crystal clear waters that lie in the crater and the greenery of the alpine vegetation make the landscape unique. The village has areas of natural forest, home to 15 different species of major trees and many other alpine-type vegetation, many species of water and land birds and some mammals, most notably the Colobus monkey. A waterfall at the foot of the hill and several mineral springs (hot and cold) also make up the Wonchi landscape and are used medicinally by the local communities.

Time seems to have stood still for the village: the houses and gardens surrounding the lake retain their authenticity and heritage. The Charkos monastery, located on one of the small islands, is also worth a visit.

With the aim of improving the livelihood of the local population through the sustainable use of the village’s natural and cultural resources, WETA (Wenchi Eco-Tourism Association) was created in 2002 by local community initiatives with the support of the local and regional government. In addition to tourism, the inhabitants practice livestock production and grow vegetables and perennial crops, among which enset (false banana) is the main staple food, as it is highly productive and requires little land. Local foods include honey, enset-kolo, and local beverages such as arake and beer.

The village is mainly inhabited by the Oromo people, and years ago most households depended on agriculture as their main source of income. Today, however, most households are engaged in tourism services. Tourism in the Wenchi area is managed by the Wenchi Eco-Tourism Association (WETA) cooperative, which is responsible for tourist activities, hospitality and natural resource management.