© 2007 YaninaTravels
Ethiopia as a Travel Destination?
I’m going to introduce you very briefly to Ethiopia. Have you ever considered Ethiopia as a travel destination on your bucket list? Have you ever thought that there is something worth seeing in a country, which is in the list of the poorest countries in the world, based on data from the World Bank & International Monetary Fund? Believe it or not, there are plenty of beautiful sites to see in Ethiopia! As of matter of fact, Ethiopia was selected by the European Council on Tourism and Trade as the world’s best tourist destination for 2015. Amazing, right?
I never really got a chance to explore in depth the beautiful sites of Ethiopia. I spent only 6 days there, working on a project (documentary story on obstetric fistula) traveling in between Addis Ababa, Mekelle, Bahir Dar, and Yirga Alem. Therefore, I’m introducing you to a tiny piece of the pretty side of Ethiopia, only to spark your interest about that part of the world!
My Suggestion for Visitors in Ethiopia
If you ever end up visiting Addis Ababa on a business trip or working on some project in the area (like I did), then there is a unique place you might want to visit for a couple of days, where you can find complete peace and serenity! Aregash Lodge in Yirga Alem is a paradise, situated in between coffee fields and lush vegetation!
Getting There
Aregash Lodge is 317 km away from Addis Ababa in the town of Yirga Alem. In order to get there, you will need to hire a guide. I used the services of Abba Travel Agency and I was pretty happy with them!
Staying at this lodge is just as close as you can get to serenity. All you can hear are the songs of the birds. All you can smell is the smell of forest and fresh cut grass. The area is home to over 100 species of birds and mammals. The lodge offers various guided outdoor tours in the nearby forest. The food at their restaurant is fantastic, cooked with fresh produce from their own garden!
Aregash Lodge offers guided treks to the forest, visit to historical caves, sacred sites and natural hot springs. I didn’t have the time and chance to do any of those activities. I hope you do!
