Wanchi is a picturesque lake situated at the distance of about 32 kilometers to the south-west of Ambo on the road to Woliso nearly at the half way between the two towns. Coming from Ambo or from Woliso to Wanchi Crater Lake, the gravel road ascends mountain slopes almost to the rim of the crater where the height peak reaches 3386 meters above sea level where green oasis, when compared to the surrounding area, comes to view.

Touristic appeal of the crater mainly stems from its fantastic beauty. Standing on the rim of the crater, you will be watching unique shaped and crystal clear water lying in deep basin and circular slops covered with greenery alpine vegetation that largely contributed for its dramatic scenery. In addition, when you see the village on peninsula, the small island with monastery, the houses and gardens on the lake side make crater that it has not been affected by the modern world.

The Crater Lake is endowed with forest of more than 15 major tree species and much other alpine type vegetation, many aquatic and terrestrial bird species and some mammals of which colobus monkey is frequently seen. In the hot spring valley, one can observe natural offers like hot and cold mineral springs, which are used by the local people for curing of illness, the waterfall gushing out just from the foot of the hill and many other eye-catching scenes.

 

Wanchi Crater Lake is an ideal site, and has a good appeal to tourist activities and recreations like hiking, boating/canoeing, horseback riding, sailing, paragliding, relaxing, forest exploring, spa bathing and many other eco-tourism oriented activities. Some of these activities are already made operational by Wanchi Eco tourism Society that is composed of local community associations and private investors.