Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
shore. Sabana doesn't do boat trips, but it has canoes and massage service. It's 2.8km
from the highway.
LODGE
Bishangari Lodge $$$
( 0461-191276;
www.bishangari.com
; tukuls s/tw US$41/73, s/tw bungalow incl break-
fast from US$78/137; )
Hyped as Ethiopia's first ecolodge when it opened in 1997,
Bishangari is ideal for those wanting a natural getaway. Nine beautiful
godjos
(bunga-
lows) are nestled privately along the lake's southeastern shore, 18km (one hour) from the
highway along a corrugated road. Each is decorated with woven ceilings, local artwork
and natural woods. There are also basic
tukuls
with shared facilities that sit unappealingly
outside the forest next to the car park. The Tree Bar, wrapped around a giant fig tree that
attracts troops of monkeys, is particularly evocative and the forest is full of birdlife. Boat
trips, horse riding, mountain biking and nature walks to see hippos are sometimes pos-
sible.
Wenney Eco-Lodge $$$
( 0911-430835;
www.wenneyecolodge.com
; campsites Birr55, d/tw US$66/78; )
Near Bishangari, the key word here is 'less'. The accommodation is less refined (includ-
ing no hot water) than Bishangari's bungalows and there's less forest, less wildlife and
less peace and quiet. On the other hand, it costs less. Its best feature is the open-air dining
hall, beautifully decorated with funky furniture, and it offers many of the same activities
as Bishangari.
LODGE
Borati Resort $$
( 0942-647979; d Birr760, f Birr1870-2800; )
It's easy to criticise this new place on
the northwest end of the lake since there's much half-finished construction and the only
restaurant is down near the beach, far from the clifftop cottages. Despite this, the rooms
are comfortable and tasteful, the views are excellent, and in all regards it's
way
better than
Langano's other lower-priced options. It's 3.6km from the highway.
LODGE
Getting There & Away
To get to/from Lake Langano, take any bus or minibus plying the Addis
Ababa-Shashemene road, and ask to be dropped off/picked up at the turn-off to your
hotel. For a bus, you'll likely have to pay full fare to either Shashemene or Ziway.
