Perched at an altitude of 2,980 meter above sea level, on the outskirts of Ethiopia’s capital, lies the captivating Gullele Botanic Garden (GBG). Stepping through its welcoming gates, visitors are immediately engulfed in a sensory feast, as if embarking on a journey of a lifetime. The expanse momentarily leaves visitors awestruck, making one unsure of where to begin. Yet, amidst the vastness lies an array of experiences waiting to be unraveled.
At the heart of the Garden, a captivating center awaits, offering breathtaking views while serving as the epicenter of Ethiopia’s “green legacy” initiative. Here, seedlings are nurtured, transforming GBG into the vital “green lung” of the nation’s capital and beyond.
This verdant oasis, home to a diverse array of indigenous, endemic, endangered, and economically valuable plant species, is nestled a mere five Km (Killo Meter) northwest of the bustling Addis Ababa.
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The Reporter had the privilege of an able guide in the person of Mengistu Abera, GBG’s director of Ecotourism Research and Development.
A scenic drive along the cobblestone road leads to the garden’s entrance, where visitors are equipped with badges, ready to commence their exploration. After traversing approximately 300 to 400 meters, visitors are met with a lush sanctuary, a wetland rejuvenated through the implementation of meticulous conservation techniques.
Mengistu explains how these efforts, including terracing and trenching, transformed the once arid landscape into a thriving ecosystem, abundant with insects, worms, and sacred waters.
“By removing the invasive eucalyptus trees, the wetland underwent a remarkable transformation,” he said. “Today, aided by seedlings cultivated in the seed bank, the area boasts a restored ecosystem, complete with rejuvenated streams and four holy water sites believed to possess healing properties.”
Venturing deep into the garden, visitors are greeted with a greenhouse where a community of local women and young girls tended to the soil, preparing it for the planting of seedlings.These delicate plants would then be nurtured within the greenhouse’s shelter, benefiting from its controlled climate conditions.
Mengistu highlighted the restricted access to the greenhouse, exclusively permitting entry to the working community as a safety measure.
“We cultivate various plant species sourced from diverse agro-ecological regions, providing them with optimal climatic conditions to thrive before transplanting them outdoors, ensuring their successful adaptation to the local environment.”
Hailu Atenafu, a researcher at the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, emphasized the greenhouse’s pivotal role in safeguarding endangered plant species from the precipice of extinction. He stressed the importance of considering Addis Ababa’s altitude and the necessity of cultivating plant species suited to such environmental conditions within these greenhouses. The wetland sits at an elevation of approximately 2600 meters above sea level.
“Establishing greenhouses is essential to provide a conducive environment for the growth of plant seedlings, considering their specific requirements and environmental suitability,” he said.
Visitors are greeted by a towering mountain, beckoning them to explore the vibrant green sanctuary upon reaching Gate Four. Accompanied by Abera Bekele, a veteran guide who has been with the garden since its inception, visitors embark on the next stage of their exploration, leading them to the Rock Garden.
The Rock Garden showcases an array of plant species, each carefully arranged according to their preferred climate conditions. This garden features various types of Barbary Fig (a.k.a. Prickly Pear), known in Amharic as “Kulkual.”
Abera highlighted the garden’s unique design, catering to five distinct weather conditions, ensuring that each plant thrives in its ideal environment.
Before leaving the Rock Garden, visitors are urged to see the fountain situated dozens of steps down a Cliffside, even though the climb back to the top requires some stamina.
The next stop on the journey is the Aromatic Garden, also known as the Thematic Garden, where the air is filled with an array of aroma that creates a sense of excitement and harmony with nature.
Among the 67 endemic plants thriving in the 14 thematic gardens are aromatic varieties such as Birbirra, Kessi, Rosemarino (aka locally as Azemarino), Carrissa, Spinarum, Acacia Abyssinica, Alelity, Enselal, Woira, Sholla, Grawa, Girar, Arity, and other species, which receive heightened protection due to their native status.
Yet amid this joyful spectacle, visitors encounter a more somber sight—a multitude of Eucalyptus trees reduced to stumps – a stark reminder that even in places of unrivaled beauty, the impact of human activity can be profound.
The remnants of these Eucalyptus trees, known as “Bahir-Zaf” in Amharic, stood as poignant reminders of their once towering presence. Scattered logs, cut short, hinted at the impressive size these trees once attained.
Initially introduced to Ethiopia during Emperor Menelik II’s reign in 1895 to address the scarcity of fuelwood driven by high demand, Eucalyptus trees quickly gained popularity due to their rapid growth, short rotation cycle, and versatility. They became particularly prevalent in rural and semi-urban regions, where they brought income generation opportunities to local communities.
According to Mengistu, four hectares of the Garden retain Eucalyptus trees, serving as an educational site for restoration and paying homage to Emperor Menelik II’s initiative to introduce the species to the nation.
The stark contrast between the areas with and without Eucalyptus trees within the Garden is evident. The sections adorned by these trees appear barren and arid, while their absence reveals lush greenery and thriving wetlands.
Exploring the vast 705-hectare expanse of the center in a day, compounded by logistical hurdles such as transportation constraints and the absence of a designated driver to navigate the towering mountainous sections of the garden, was challenging.
But despite these challenges, it becomes evident that the Garden serves not only as a sanctuary for nurturing the natural ecosystem but also as a tranquil retreat from the frenetic pace of urban life, offering a serene escape.
More than just a garden, GBG is a sanctuary where the marvels of the natural world unfold. Its meandering pathways invite visitors to stroll amidst lush greenery. The melodious songs of birds mingle with the gentle rustle of leaves, creating a symphony of nature’s finest tunes.
The Garden was established in 2005 and officially inaugurated in January 2019 through a collaborative effort between Addis Ababa University and the City Administration. The vast expanse encompasses both forest and semi-forest vegetation, along with indigenous plants and endemic wildlife. As a conservation hub, it boasts a team of over 50 professional experts in the sector, with research, ecotourism, and education as its primary objectives.
Mengestu highlighted the center’s dedication to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. “GBG serves as a safe haven for threatened species, contributes to worldwide plant germplasm conservation efforts, and conducts crucial research on plant species, ecological dynamics, vegetation, and climate change relations,” he said.
The center’s ecotourism sector not only provides eco-friendly recreational amenities for tourists but also directly benefits the community through contributions to health, education, and various other advantages.
Mengistu said education played a vital role at GBG, offering environmental education and training on sustainable gardening, horticulture, floriculture, urban agriculture, and forestry, emphasizing recent research findings that revealed Ethiopia’s rich biodiversity.
Among the 6,500 to 7,000 plant species identified in the country, GBG proudly hosts 1,300, with 67 being endemic to Ethiopia and 32 boasting medicinal properties.
Hailunotes that Botanical Gardens have already attracted thousands of visitors this year, with weddings and educational tours being the primary sources of footfall.
Lastly, the gardens serve as research centers, enabling local and international researchers to conduct studies using the abundant resources available. These resources include various plant species collected from different ecosystems, along with their environmental adaptations and crop biology.
While GBG stands as one of the largest Botanical Gardens in Ethiopia, the country boasts ecosystem Botanic Gardens in Shashemene, Jimma, and Shoni in Wolaita, with Shashemene and Jimma being the first two established.
The benefits of hosting these gardens extend beyond their natural splendor. They serve as educational hubs for students of all levels, offering practical lessons in biodiversity education. The positive impact on students, ranging from primary to higher education institutions across the country, is undeniable, as they receive invaluable ecological science education support from these gardens, Mengistu said.
The center also offers a range of ecotourism services, including mountain climbing, tracking, hiking, and horseback riding. Over the past nine months, it has welcomed more than 132,000 visitors, generating a revenue of more than 4.8million birr through these services.
However, amidst the growing concern that human activities could disrupt the delicate ecosystem, Hailu claims that the plant species within the Botanical Gardens are carefully protected from interference.
“Each area is designed with specific purposes in mind, ensuring a harmonious balance between human activity and plant conservation,” Hailu said.
Looking forward, Mengistu said that GBG aims to become a world-class botanical institution by 2030, emphasizing the institution’s dedicated efforts to achieve this goal. “Our aim is to gain global recognition within the next six years, with a remarkable collection of 6,000 to 7,000 plant species sourced from various locations and propagated in our state-of-the-art laboratories.”
According to the Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI) account, out of the over 2,500 botanical gardens worldwide, a mere estimated four percent are located in Africa, including the notable GBG. Many of these gardens trace their origins back to the colonial era of the 18th and 19th centuries.
GBG has received acclaim from the BGCI, a membership organization based in the United Kingdom dedicated to promoting and preserving botanical conservation.
