Central Ethiopia Regional State

The Enset Highlands

This is the heartland of enset, the remarkable false banana that has fed the region for millennia. Families tend leafy groves that yield a starchy staple prepared in countless ways, a quiet marvel of highland agriculture. The Gurage in particular are celebrated across Ethiopia for their industriousness, their cuisine and their tightly knit communities.

Stones of the Ancients

Near Butajira stands Tiya, a haunting field of carved stone stelae that has earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Nearby, the rock church of Adadi Mariam and the prehistoric site of Melka Kunture reveal layer upon layer of human history. Few places pack so much of the ancient past into such a compact and scenic corner.

A Table Worth Travelling For

Food lovers will find plenty to savour, from spicy kitfo, the Gurage delicacy of finely minced beef, to honey wine sipped slowly among friends. Bustling market towns such as Hosaena and Welkite buzz with traders, produce and easy conversation. Warm, generous and endlessly hospitable, this is a region that rewards those who slow down and share a meal.