Wondo Genet

Wondo Genet sits in hills south of Shashemene where hot springs emerge among forest, and it has been a resort since the imperial period; Haile Selassie had a residence here and the site was developed with pools fed directly from the source. The setting is the appeal: one of the better remaining patches of moist highland forest in the region, with colobus monkeys, hornbills, turacos and a strong bird list along the tracks above the pools, and the College of Forestry has its campus nearby. The pools themselves are functional rather than beautiful and busy at weekends with Ethiopian visitors. Walking above the resort into the forest is what makes the trip worthwhile for anyone not primarily there to bathe.

History

The Swedish Philadelphia Church Mission opened a mission with a medical clinic here in 1961, and in 1964 the Wondo Genet hotel was established on land that the royal family used for recreation until 1975; Emperor Haile Selassie gave it the name, meaning "Wondo Paradise", for its forests, wildlife and abundant water. The hotel later passed to the state Hotels Corporation and now belongs to the Wabe Shebelle Hotels Enterprise, with 54.4 ha of grounds, 40 rooms, swimming pools and access to the hot springs, and the College of Forestry nearby was founded in 1977 with Swedish help (Wikipedia, Wondo Genet).

Highlights

• Thermal pools - hot water piped into open bathing pools.
• Highland forest - a surviving patch of moist woodland above the resort.
• Colobus and turacos - monkeys and birds on the forest tracks.
• The old residence - the imperial-era buildings on the site.

When to go

October to March for dry paths and the forest walks. Weekends and Ethiopian holidays fill the pools completely; weekdays are far quieter. Birding is best early in the morning.

Good to know

The pool complex is dated and crowded at weekends, and water cleanliness varies. Forest above the resort has been cut back over the years. Guides for the forest walk are arranged informally. Facilities are basic.

Nearby

Shashemene lies north; Hawassa is west.