The Choke Mountains Ecovillage, located in the West Gojjam Zone of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, is a pioneering model of sustainable and community-based tourism. Recognized by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as one of the *Best Tourism Villages* in 2022, it stands 300 km northwest of Addis Ababa on Mount Choke, Ethiopia’s third-highest peak . The village embodies an ecotourism ideology, integrating sustainable land management, renewable energy (solar panels and biogas), and waste management practices . Inspired by the Mulu Ecovillage concept, it promotes fair trade tourism, cultural preservation, and nature conservation while fostering economic resilience through local enterprises like honey production, coffee cultivation, and traditional beer brewing.

The community-driven approach is central to its success, with over 200 local farmers actively participating as tour guides, lodge operators, and hosts of cultural events . The Mulu Eco Lodge, the village’s flagship accommodation, operates off-grid with solar power and prioritizes direct trade with farmers, offering visitors immersive experiences like trekking, horseback riding, and birdwatching amid breathtaking landscapes of waterfalls, forests, and endemic wildlife . Notably, the village’s Association of Genete oversees sustainable tourism development, ensuring ecosystem conservation and livelihood diversification.

With limited modern infrastructure, exploration is primarily by foot or mule, emphasizing its untouched charm . The lodge also channels tourism revenue into education and healthcare initiatives through its nonprofit, Enat Ethiopia, reinforcing long-term community empowerment . This holistic blend of environmental stewardship, cultural authenticity, and grassroots collaboration makes the Choke Mountains Ecovillage a global exemplar of rural tourism done right .