Simien Lodge

the only accommodation inside the national park

Simien Lodge, lying around 10 km northeast of Debark Gate, is the only permanent accommodation option actually inside the national park Simien Mountains National park in the north of Ethiopia.

Although it’s close to the remarkable views of the main escarpment, the lodge is unfortunately set further back down the slope, apparently to protect the roofs from the high winds.

In all honesty, Simien Lodge is one of those large and rather tired places that has the feel of a government facility. Whilst in most other countries we are long past staying in such places, the situation here in Ethiopia is still playing catch up.

The lodge is centred on a long single-storey main building, containing a large restaurant around a large fireplace and what is claimed to be ‘the highest bar in Africa’ (although we’ve heard similar claims in Lesotho).

Most evenings the lodge offers some kind of activity. Apparently there’s a documentary about the geladas that’s quite very popular.

Food is a mix of Western and Ethiopian dishes, with special diets usually being accommodated. The lodge also offers a special ‘champagne lunch’ for small groups, which takes place in a small gazebo high on the escarpment.

Guest accommodation is in 26 tukels, which are traditional stone and thatch rondavels. The rooms are pretty spartan and can get very cold at night at this altitude (despite the solar underfloor heating), so be sure to bring some warm layers to wear in bed.

Activities

The main activity in this area is to drive through the national park, exploring various areas, hike up to a waterfall, meet the gelada ‘baboons’ and spot various other wildlife.

A visit to the Simien Mountains tends to feature in most of the more active and adventurous trips to the north of Ethiopia, almost always as part of more extensive exploration of the region.

Seasonality

The best time to visit the Simien Mountains is generally considered to be during the Oct-Mar dry season period.

The area has a subtropical highland climate, with an Apr-Sep rainy season, which reaches a peak during Jun-Aug.

Peak daytime temperatures are usually very comfortable, at around 24C/75F, but drop rapidly at higher altitudes, with the potential for frosts and even snow at higher altitudes.

Getting there

The north of Ethiopia is usually reached by means of regular daily flights from the capital Addis Ababa.

Some of the interconnecting journeys within the region are best done by air, others have to be done by road.

The Simien Mountains are usually reached by road from the airport at the historic town of Gondar, which lies about 2-3 hours to the southwest.

drive up from the historic town of Gondar