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In Turmi in the far southwest of Ethiopia we stayed at the Evangadi Campsite. Because of the extreme heat and dust we decided to hire a fixed tent with a roof, which protected the tent against the burning sun.
The fixed tent was furnished with chairs, table and beds, made of bamboo. To increase the ''Out of Africa'' feeling we opened the backside of our tent to catch some breeze and for a view at the savannah and bush behind. Though the only animals we saw, passing by our tent, were goats.
At the campsite were toilets, french style and showers, but there was a shortage of water.
We had to cook ourselves, but they just started to build a restaurant at the site.
Despite the dust, the heat and the shortage of water it was one of the most romantic places to stay during our trip in Southern Ethiopia. So it was worth the 200 birr pro tent. Leave a Comment Theme: CampgroundPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averagePhone: 00251-632597Directions: About one KM east of Turmi. You can make reservations in Addis Abeba.Other Contact: evangadilodge@yahoo.com
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In the Piazza, the Italian area of Addis Abeba, Empress Taitu, the wife of Emperor Menelik, built in 1907 the first governmental hotel for the imperial and governmental guests.
Nowadays it's one of the cheap hotels in this area. There are several buildings in the compound. The old original building looks very nice with its high ceilings, traditional furniture and creaking floors.
In this building you can find the restaurant and bar and some spacious rooms. The most rooms are situated in the other buildings annex, with or without private bathrooms.
There is a nice garden and terrace with a nice view at the surrounding mountains. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensivePhone: 553244 or 560787Directions: In the Piazza area with many cheap hotels, south of the De Gaulle Square.
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The Ghion Hotel in Bahir Dar has a splendid location at Lake Tana. They have bungalows, rooms and a campsite. We had a room with a verandah with view at the lake and the shady terrace.
The garden with flamboyant trees and flowers is beautiful. The food is good and cheap. For a full breakfast you pay 1,5 euro and for a dinner 2,5 euro.
There is a landing stage for boats to visit the islands with the monasteries. The hotel has its own internetcafe and giftshop.
For more pictures and information have a look at my Bahir Dar page. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averagePhone: 200740Other Contact: ghionbd@telecom.net.et
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The Bekela Mola Hotel at the Lake Langano has a lovely location at the lakeside. There is a beach, where you can swim or hire a pedal-boat. There are also horses for riding.
We had a lovely room with private shower and toilet for 17,5 euro. The terrace with view at the lake was gorgeous, especially at sunrise.
There is also a campsite in the shade of the trees, just at the beachfront (5,5 euro for one tent).
The place was very peaceful, when we arrived in the afternoon. But in the evening it was partytime in the bar and restaurant. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensivePhone: 190011Directions: 3 KM from the Addis Abeba- Shashemene road.
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When you travel north by road, from Addis Abeba to Bahir Dar, and need a place to spend the night, there is not much choice.
We stayed in Dejen, in the Alem hotel.
It's a hotel with basic, but clean rooms. A room with private shower costs 50 Birr.
You can make reservations, but this is no guarantee they have a room at arrival.
There is a small bar and restaurant for a meal, but you can also eat in the restaurant at the other side of the village, which has more choice. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: DejenPhone: 710010Directions: About 200 KM north of Addis Abeba, half way to Bahir Dar. In Dejen, just behind the Agip petrol station.
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I stayed in Axum 2 days, both in this hotel, but in different rooms. I arrived here following my LP guide, in a minibus from Gonder.
First night they only had "shared bathroom" rooms. 30Birr (3 USD). These are pretty basic and the bathroom / showers are "too basic", if you know what I mean... But it was late, I was tired, so why not?
But the following day I changed to a "private bathroom" room, one of those that are in the courtyard (see pic). Those are really something very different, and the price difference is not big (5 USD instead of 3). There is hot water and the rooms are big and bright.
So if you come and there is a chance take the "private WC" ones.
There is a restaurant too. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageDirections: In the main street, towards the bus station. About 15 minutes walking from the stelae and St.Mary church.
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Taitu is one of the oldest hotels in Addis. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century... and seems that ever refurbished since then!. It is in fact a nice colonial building but overall a bit abandoned and the standard is rather low in comfort and so. But it makes a good option for a stay in Addis. Though I found it a bit overpriced for what you get.
I slept there on my first night. I arrived late (22h) and my first option (Baro Hotel) was full, so unless I wanted to wander around endlessly that night (and I swear I didn't, after all those hours in a plane), my only chance was to take a "less than simple" room at the new wing of the Taitu for 130 Birr (about 13 USD). There was no running water then (general water supplies problems they said), but I didn't care as I had to take a bus at 6 the next morning.
The area around is lively at night (too lively sometimes) with local bars and brothels, but is a safe area. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageDirections: In the south of Piazza. For minibuses, go down in Piazza stop and ask. 5 minutes from there.
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Its easy to find accommodation in Ethiopia. Surprisingly there are many places. Standards are of course not comparable to European hotels but therefore they are cheaper. In every town are rooms available starting at 7 Birr. Usually they are clean but running water is not all the time available but on the other hand its advisable to check for flees or bed bugs before taking a room. Often the cheapies are used as brothels as well. Whites (Fanaranjis) were often asked to pay more than the locals have to pay. Try to bargain! Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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This is my favourite Hotel in Ethiopia. When I arrived at the entrance I was greeted by fantastic bunches of flowers overgrowing the front gate, the gateman saluting my arrival (pictured) and a warm welcome into the large garden that is effectively their lobby. They took me to my room and explained that the table outside my nice cottage was also my table for dinner. Right in the middle of a garden overlooking flowers, birds and a small lake. Get in there! My bed was comfy, food excellent, the friendly waiter brought me dinner from the kitchen just opposite my door and I enjoyed the sunset from my chair outside my room on my own porch.
Unique Qualities:
Everything is special about the Fogera. It only has 11 rooms so book in advance by telephone! The staff are great, the kitchen ladies are friendly and produce great food at low prices and you get a picturesque room at a very affordable price. Even if you do not stay here, you can eat in the centre of the Garden. You must visit as well in the daylight to see the beautiful grounds.
Facilities:
Bar with satellite TV
Good large bathrooms
Good clothes storage space
Excellent security
Tranquil and quiet setting
Food and drink brought to your door/table at no extra cost
Large rooms
Comfortable beds
A great experience. I visited during the Low Season. Telephone and book ahead! Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averagePhone: 058-1110405/058-1116678Directions: A 10 minute walk along the road to the North East of the Royal Enclosure. Do not get a taxi between the 2. No need.
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I did not stay in any hotels that are not mentioned in the guidebooks, so here is just a short review:
Note: Prices listed are from Jan. 2008 and are of course subject to change and can sometimes be bargained depending on your skills and the hotel. They should just give a rough indication.
Weldya (you might end up here on your way from Addis or Mekele to Lalibela):
Golden (?) Guest house is on the main road and has a small courtyard and small rooms with attached not too clean bathrooms. As it is only about 2 Euros it is okay value for the price.
A nice option is Lal hotel close by for about 9 Euros.
Lalibela
Asheton Hotel is nice and clean and very quiet. Test the showers as there are a bit drippy in some of the rooms and ask fellow travelers for prices. They can differ between tourists with no obvious reason (other than the owner expects some people to be willing to pay more than others).
Gonder
Misrak pension next to Fogera Hotel is nice and friendly and very quiet with rooms around a nice lawn. They have no restaurant but you can have drinks. Prices were about 8 Euros for a room with attached bathroom (very good hot shower!).
Generally prices rise at Timkat in Gonder, so for that place it meant 16 Euros for a room with clean common shower (also nice and hot) which was not more inflated than at other hotels.
Debark
In front of Simien Park Hotel (which is supposed to be the best place in town and therefore fully booked most of the time) there are two very cheap hotels that do not even have a sign but can easily be spotted because they are newly painted in bright colours. They each have rooms along a small alleyway in the back that are small and very basic but clean. There are only a common showers with cold water which were also clean.
As electricity is a problem in Debark be sure to carry a flashlight around. Good food can be had at Simien Park Hotels restaurant.
Simien Mountains NP
Nice campsites, tents etc. can be rented in Debark
(the picture shows Gelada Baboons who live in the mountains)
Bahir Dar
Ghion Hotel is really as nice as described everywhere and a good place to relax for about 10 Euros and up.
Addis Abeba
I found the everywhere recommended Wutma Hotel okay enough but I am not sure if I brought the fleas with my backpack from some other place or if they were living in the sheets there. It has a nice restaurant downstairs.
The always recommended Baro Hotel in front of Wutma did not meet the expectations of the travellers I met who stayed there. It seems that especially in Addis hotel owners rest on the reputation they have when they made it into the guide books and do not keep standards up. So if you find a hotel not mentioned in a book it might be very worth checking that out. Leave a Comment
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on July 1, 2004
on August 23, 2006
on August 30, 2004
on May 13, 2008
on March 4, 2008
