Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary is located 48km west of Awassa, it is 340 km south of Addis Ababa, and covers an area of 54 km2. The sanctuary was originally established to protect the endemic and endangered antelope species called Swayne’s hartebeest. The sanctuary is located between Oromia and SNNPRS and managed by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority.
The open acacia woodland of the reserve is quite scenic, and some of the animals are easily spotted, especially the Swayne’s hartebeests, the population of which is currently estimated at between 600 and 800. The sanctuary harbors other wild animals, including Bohor, reedbuck, greater kudus, oribi antelopes, spotted hyenas, serval and civet cats, caracals, warthogs, common jackals, as well as 91 species of birds.
