Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lake Tana Monasteries Monasteries
Of Tana's four other far northern monasteries, all west of Gorgora,
Mandaba Medhane
and some of Ethiopia's most dedicated priests, is the only one that most consider worth a
trip; even though its paintings only date to 1991. It takes 30 minutes by boat, 90 minutes
by
tankwa
(available at Tim & Kim Village lodge) or two hours walking from town.
If you're a serious monastery lover, or just want to stretch your legs on the way to and
mission by donation, men only)
where the current church was built by Haile Selassie;
Bir-
donation, men only)
, which is the oldest.
Sleeping & Eating
Tim & Kim Village $$
( 0920-336671;
www.timkimvillage.com
; campsites with own tent Birr90,
with hired tent s/d Birr200/250, s/d Birr460/575; )
Just over the hill west of Gorgora,
this Dutch-run spot is in an idyllic little lakeside valley. The six solar-powered thatch-and-
stone cottages are cosy and the welcome is warm. Tim leads day and overnight canoeing
and trekking trips and you can paddle your own
tankwa
. Meals are normally only avail-
able for guests, but with notice day guests (Birr25) are usually welcome. Some proceeds
go toward community projects.
LODGE
Gorgora Port Hotel $
( 0583-467000; campsites Birr50, s/d/tw without bathroom Birr60/120/205, d/tw 200/
325, 3-bedroom cottage Birr450; )
An old, rather than historic, hotel with a range of
rooms, but all except Mengistu's old cottage are tired and just waiting to be revived. Elec-
tricity and water (cold showers only) are sporadic, but available more often than not. It's
the relaxing flowered garden and lakeshore setting that are recommended and many
people do enjoy a night here. The restaurant (mains Birr12 to Birr30) has decent food; the
catfish cutlet is the speciality of the house.
HOTEL
Tana Bir Pension $
PENSION
