| Negele Borana |
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The trip from Goba south to Negele Borana via Dolo Mena is one of the most exciting off the beaten track routes in Ethiopia. The drive Goba across the Sanetti plateau and through the Harena forest to Dolo Mena is rewarding. You can spot many species of forest birds, wild animals passing through scenic route up to Dolo Mena. Negele town is something of a frontier town inhabited mainly by the Oromo people but also has strong Somali and Muslim influence. The towns Saturday camel market is worth a visit. The town is also the best base from which to explore the only known localities of the two lark species that are endemic to Ethiopia. The closer of the sites to Negele to explore lark is Liban Plain. Negele Borana also can be explored from the junction town of Shashemene via the town of Kibre Mengist and Bore. The main attractions along this road are people, culture and scenery. The thorny and termite sculpted landscape around Negele rises to the denser forest of Kibrenegest and Bore. Diversions can be made from Kibre Mengist to the Gold mining plant of Shakiso. The drive from Kibremengist to shashemene takes you through Bore and Aleta wondo exploring light forest and denser forest inhabited by many species of birds and monkeys. Negele is also connected by a road to Yabelo via Liban plain and Mankubsa welenso forest where one can spot the endemic prince Respoli Turaco, Salvador’s Serin and many other forest species of birds. |