Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0582-310741;
www.simiens.com
; s & tw incl breakfast US$160-170; )
At 3260m
this is Africa's highest hotel. The thatch-and-stone
tukuls
are large and comfy and most
guests enjoy their stay, but also feel they don't get nearly enough in return for the four-star
price. Although the situation has improved, hot water still can't be guaranteed and the fea-
tured solar-powered underfloor heating is largely ineffective. Reviews of the food (three-
course set meal US$12; Dashen beer Birr40), on the other hand, are mostly positive. The
faranji
owner funds local charity projects. There's a van for picking up guests in Gonder.
Getting There & Away
Two morning buses and lots of minibuses run from Debark to Gonder (Birr48, 2½ hours).
The only bus to Shire (for Aksum) is the Gonder service that passes through Debark
around 8am, but it's often full. If you want to guarantee a seat, the national park office,
your guide or hotel will reserve you a place by getting somebody in Gonder to ride in your
seat between Gonder and Debark. They charge Birr300 to Birr350 for this service; arrange
it a day in advance. Hitching is possible, but you may need more than one day to reach
Shire.
Getting Around
There's usually a bus at 6am from Debark to Janamora, which can drop trekkers anywhere
along the way; you'll probably need to pay Birr100 no matter where you get off. It can't
be used on the return trip because there's almost no chance of a free seat. Convincing your
guide to let you use the occasional Isuzu supply trucks is likely to be tough since it's illeg-
al, but some trekkers who get to Chenek and find they've had their fill of the mountains
manage to do it, albeit at an extortionate rate.
The park gate opens at 6am and driving is not permitted before this or after 6pm.
Guides can arrange minibus and 4WD hire, though the latter can be very expensive be-
cause it usually comes from Gonder. Minibuses can reach everywhere most of the year,
but 4WD is required to go beyond Sankaber between July and September.
