A charming ecolodge offering simple but comfortable accommodation in traditional tukul dwellings, inspired by the local Sidama villages with both excellent wildlife and cultural insights on its doorstep.
Aregash Lodge is located on a ridge above the town of Yirga Alem, nestled between its own coffee plantations and a tract of natural forest.
The land has been in the friendly Missalides family for more than 60 years, and they still operate the lodge and organic farm to this day. The accommodation is within 14 circular Tukul dwellings, constructed in the style of local Sidama villages, and built using local bamboo and stone. Each room is en suite, with a separate living area. There are double, twin and family rooms available at this accommodation. The rooms are fairly simple but clean, comfortable, and a special place to stay.
The restaurant on-site serves à la carte meals with both international and Ethiopian cuisine available, and features predominantly local produce. Many of the tropical fruits, herbs, vegetables and coffee grown on site.
The surrounding lodge gardens are lush, and extend into both the farm and native forest, which supports a remarkable diversity of wildlife. Vervet monkeys are abundant and mantled guereza colobus monkeys, Menelik’s bushbuck and bush hyrax are all present, in addition to over 100 species of bird.
One of the highlights is the clan of up to 15 spotted hyenas that visit the lodge grounds each evening for scraps given out by the kitchen staff; this is a thrilling and intimate wildlife experience, and not one to be missed!
Another activity whilst staying at this location is touring one of the coffee plantations. Discover the entire coffee process from growing to harvesting, washing and delivering the coffee to market.
WiFi is available in the main reception building only.
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