At over 3200 meters, the Simien Lodge is the highest altitude lodge in Africa. Comprised of stone-walled tukels with thatched roofing, the Simien Lodge is a great alternative to camping in the Simiens. There are great views for miles around, and troops of Gelada Monkeys are known to roam the lodge grounds.
The restaurant is a spacious area with a log fire centre piece. All of the decor is Ethiopian. We believe in tradition from the magnificent circular fireplace to the original oil paintings on the walls, all depicting Ethiopian scenes. Why opt for the ordinary? When in Ethiopia, enjoy a traditional experience.
The bar is fitted warm comfortable furnishings. It is the highest place to get a drink in Africa. The bar is open most of the day and until the last clients have left in the evening. We serve several types of Ethiopian beer, South African and Ethiopian wine and then a variety of other drinks too. Most evenings we have some activity. A film about the gelada is very popular.
Tukels (24)
A tukel is the name that Ethiopians give to a house. In the case of Simien lodge, the tukel forms two rooms with two bathrooms. Each room is of a good quality inside with 2 large single beds (2m x 1m). There is a bathroom with shower. All rooms have under-floor heating by solar (which of course works when there is sun). Each room has a sheltered balcony. All rooms have fibre glass insulation to the ceiling, walls and floor. Remember we are a mountain lodge and nights can be chilly. So come prepared with warm clothes.
There are 26 main rooms. Twenty four rooms have twin beds and two have double beds. The bedding is quilts with pure white cotton sheets and extra blankets if needed. The bathrooms have a shower (we do not have baths because of the scarcity of water in the dry season). Hot water is by solar with electricity backup.
Inside the main rooms are semi-circular, essentially half a tukel. Each room has a bathroom. The rooms all have tiled floors which are heated a few degrees by a solar system. In between the rows of tukels is a bank of forty square meters of solar panels. When there is sun, then hot water is automatically pumped through pipes underfloor, heating the room by a few degrees. However this is not intended to be a full central heating system. The lodge is at 3300 metres altitude and of course it is cold at this height, especially at night. But the system is enough to take off the chill, making the lodge a comfortable way to visit the Simiens.
All rooms have traditional Ethiopian decor. No 'chinese furniture' as so often found in Ethiopian hotels. There are original oil painings and traditional weave. Tea and coffee machines, wall safe and full length mirrors come as standard.
Family Rooms
The family rooms comprise of two rooms and a bathroom. The first room is a lounge with two single beds. This leads to the master bedroom which has one double bed. The bathroom is accessed from the master bedroom.
TREKKING IN THE SIMIENS
Trekking in the Simien mountains has been the main activity for a long time. Once up on the escarpment, it is possible to walk through forests and over grassland for hundreds of miles. A trek to the summit of Ras Daschen normally takes about 6 days. Other more modest treks go to Imet Gogo, Bwahit and the camp sites of Geech, Sankabur and Chennuk.
The scenery starts to get interesting around Simien Lodge, some 22km from Debarak. The walk from Debarak to the escaprment edge is generally uphill through farmland and this is not so interesting. But the lodge is situated at the beginning of the escarpment where the whole scenery opens out with magnificent views for hundred of kilometres. This is actually where the predator animal activity really starts. The gelada sleep on the cliff edges at night and predators such as hyena and leopard roam the cliff edges. Wolves have been spotted near the lodge in the past but generally they live around the Chennuk area.
MOUNTAIN BIKES
The Simiens are without doubt the most spectacular mountains scenery in Africa. Trekking in the Simiens is a must for anyone who likes spectacular views. Some of the cliffs drop vertically for over a mile, justifying the description of "Africa's Grand Canyon".
THE CLIMB TO RAS DASCHEN SUMMIT
Climbing to the summit of Ras Daschen at 4600m should be within the scope of most fit people who have spent some time already in Ethiopia to acclimatise. This is because most of the highlands are over 2000 meters. Many people who have climbed Kilimanjaro think that Ras Daschen will be 'a walk in the park' by comparison. Not so. The final 100 meters to the summit requires some rock climbing experience and for tired legs this is not so easy. In addition, the climb back up Bwahit (4200m) after several days of serious trekking is often too much for some people. Fatigue is cumulative and trekkers who are not sure that they can get back should not attempt this mountain. There are no rescue facilities on the east side of Bwahit.
Of interest; Children on the slopes of Ras Daschen are very poor. Sometimes they keep the sheep for weeks on end, away from their families.
The route from Bwahit it takes about 5 hours to descend to the Mersheba river via the village of Chiroleba. The river is not passable in the rainy season. From the river it takes about two hours to climb to the base camp. The climb to the summit normally starts at 4am. As with most mountains, the cloud can become thick and stormy in the afternoons so it is best to ascend and descend before late afternoon. The summit is normally reached by 9am. If some of the route is not so interesting then the summit is spectacular and there is often snow or ice. The views are magnificent. Simien Wolves can often be seen right up to the summit. Many of these children sleep in caves and look after the goats day and night. They often go ten days without seeing their other family members.
EXTREME SPORTS
Several extreme sports have recently been practiced in the Simiens with the approval of EWCA, the park authority. Canyoning, mountaineering, base jumping to name a few.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Most people visit the Simiens and photograph the wildlife and the scenery. However, the Simiens provide an excellent backdrop for many kids of photography, even fashion.