Eco-Tourism & Heritage Protection: A 15-Year Vision for Ethiopia’s 13 National Parks
Ethiopia is a country with unparalleled biodiversity and a rich cultural heritage. The 13 National Parks are an essential part of this natural and cultural legacy. To preserve these unique areas responsibly while simultaneously promoting sustainable tourism development, an integrated strategy is essential.
Developing a strategic plan for all 13 National Parks was a complex challenge. For each park, it had to be carefully determined whether and how tourism development could take place responsibly. Some parks were well-suited for ecotourism and sustainable recreational facilities, while others were extremely sensitive and needed to remain free from excessive tourism pressure.
Some parks were home to indigenous tribes, such as the Mursi Tribe, who maintained their traditional way of life in harmony with nature. Other parks served critical ecological functions, such as an elephant sanctuary where elephants needed to migrate undisturbed to reach their final resting place. This required a precise balance between tourism, conservation, and cultural heritage.
The Challenge
Developing an internationally appealing destination in this region presents several key challenges:
- Balancing conservation and development – Creating tourism and residential infrastructure while ensuring the protection of Akagera’s fragile ecosystems, particularly the black rhino’s habitat. The balance between conservation and visitor experience is crucial.
- Capitalizing on the black rhino’s return – Leveraging this extraordinary conservation achievement to establish Akagera as a premier wildlife tourism destination, drawing global attention.
- Creating an internationally attractive tourism product – Transitioning Akagera from a national park to an internationally recognized destination requires a unique concept, premium facilities, and a compelling visitor experience.
- Empowering local communities – The development must generate inclusive employment opportunities and economic growth while respecting local traditions and cultural heritage.
- Sustainable and strategic spatial development – The project must align with Rwanda’s broader master plan and establish a future-proof infrastructure that supports eco-tourism.
- Stakeholder management and investment – Strong collaboration between public and private partners is essential, along with a robust financial model to ensure long-term sustainable growth.
Our Approach
Our consortium, led by GreenDreamCompany, brought together expertise in sustainable tourism, area development, and ecological conservation. We took a holistic approach that optimally integrated Ethiopia’s unique ecological and cultural characteristics. This included:
- Strategic Research & Advisory: In-depth analysis of current tourism infrastructure and each park’s potential.
- Sustainable Design & Architecture: Development of environmentally responsible accommodations and facilities where appropriate.
- Experience-Based Tourism Development: Creation of trekking routes and experience trails that aligned with the natural surroundings and local culture.
- Ecological & Cultural Conservation: Implementation of sustainability principles in park management strategies, with special attention to vulnerable ecosystems and indigenous communities.
- Economic Viability: Development of financial feasibility studies and revenue models for sustainable operations without disrupting the ecological balance.
Impact & Future Vision
With this project, we not only strengthened the infrastructure and management of the National Parks but also contributed to the economic growth of local communities. By developing a strategic plan that promoted ecotourism where feasible and prioritized conservation where necessary, we helped Ethiopia safeguard its natural and cultural treasures for future generations.
Consortium & Partners
This project was executed by a consortium led by GreenDreamCompany, in collaboration with MetaMeta Ethiopia and HOAREC (Horn of Africa Regional Environmental Centre). The assignment was commissioned by GTZ IS Ethiopia on behalf of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA). The project duration was 15 years.
