In variance of altitude that ranges between 1900m to 4280masl, the Park encloses afro alpine and alpine vegetation’s, Erica to tussock grass. The Borena Saynt is endowed with unspoiled nature a real wild area which was thought by the residents of the area as a concealing place of aggressors. There are more than ten caves where there were incidents once hold on that are now a history of the country.
What to see
The park total area covered 15262 hectares of land, harbors a significant number of large and small mammals, birds, amphibians, and plant. The landscape of the park is composed of rough topography, deeply incised valleys, escarpments, plateau, cone-shaped peaks and fascinating cliffs. It has different topographical features ranging from low land to highland mountains. The altitude ranges between 1900 to 4280m above sea level. The topography of Borena wereda is dominated by mountains (10%), plain (20%), valley (30%) and ups and downs (40%).
There are around six caves along the cliff, which separate the Afromontane forest from the upper part of the park. The park has some amazing peaks such as Kabu Kora, Mossebit, Galokab, Shiftoch Kora, Gulas, Kerkeha Ras; which is covered by trees peaks also serve as a natural watching tower for tourists. Due to high variation of altitude, agro-climatically the park is classified within three belts of weather, Woina Dega (temperate), Dega (cool zone) and Wurch (alpine). Being dominated by typical Sub afro-alpine areas vegetation, the park is a natural habitat for large mammals and endemic birds. Sedentary agriculture, where crop cultivation complemented by a strong livestock rearing, which is the primary occupation of the community. Moreover, the area is characterized by a minimum of socio-economic infrastructure and administrative institutions.
The afro-alpine strip of forest encompasses Afromontane forest in its lower part of sub-afro-alpine and afro-alpine vegetation types in its upper part. The Afromontane one is a narrow forest and its occurrence is largely restricted to Borena wereda. It is dominated by big trees and different types of shrubs. The afro-alpine and sub-afro alpine parts are dominated by species of Erica trees and shrubs, interspersed with tussock grass or Guassa (Festuca spp.) and Lobelia rhynchopetalum populations. The incredible vegetation resources of the park are the main ecotourism resources. According to ANRSP, there are around 66 families vegetation species, consisting of 174 species of plants which are higher species diversity in comparison to other Afromontane forests of the country. Giant lobelia (Jibera), Bidens pachyloma (Adey-Abeba), Plectocephalus, Euphorbia dumalis, Acanthus sennii (Shekori), Solanaceous gigas (Yeshikoko Gomen), Echinops longisetus and Echinops kebericho are endemic to the park. Both the Afromontane forest and the upper part of the park have a very attractive view for the tourists.
Practical information before your trip to the Borena Sayint National park
Getting There
By road
The Borena Sayint National park is found in the central Amhara region of Ethiopia, which is about 600km from Addis Ababa through via Debere Birhan and Dessie, 300km from Bahir-Dar through Merto Lemariam . The Park is shares a boundary with Borena, Mehal Saynt, and Saynt woredas. If you drive from Addis Ababa to Dessie you need to drive 200 km southwest of Dessie to reach the park.
By Flight
The nearby airport to the Borena Sayint national park is Kombolcha 23 km south east of the town of Dessie. Flights are available to Kombolcha in a fixed days of the week. Check the flight schedule of Ethiopian airlines here. www.ethiopianairlines.com
Accommodations
There are basic and standard accommodations in the town of Mekane Selam (18 km) from the park. If you like camping at the park there are designated campsites for camping.
