Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shashemene Rift Valley Tourist Hotel $
( 0461-105710; d Birr193-385, tw Birr495-550; )
There are three levels of rooms
in an old and new building. They're a bit overpriced, but you pay a premium for the multi-
level garden full of trees and art, which takes you a world away from the rest of the town.
The restaurant (mains Birr35 to Birr53) has a larger than normal roster of local and inter-
national fare. A swimming pool is promised.
HOTEL
Barentuma Pension $
( 0461-102165; d with/without bathroom Birr120/ 70; )
New, reasonably priced and
right by the bus station. Go out the south exit and turn right. There's an internet cafe and
grocery next door.
PENSION
Bekele Mola $
( 0461-103344; d Birr165; )
If you need to stay in the centre, these weathered but
well-scrubbed rooms, each with a verandah facing the green courtyard, are a good choice.
HOTEL
Spicy Caribbean Delight $
(plate of the day Birr25; Mon-Sat)
The daily menus feature Trinidadian and some Ja-
maican dishes like curried goat, while a few options, like the tasty lentil burger, are al-
ways available. It's next to the Banana Art Gallery and closes at 7pm.
CARIBBEAN
Information
There's a post office and many internet cafes and banks stretched along the main drag.
Dashen Bank has an ATM. Several small groceries both downtown and by the bus station
have better selections than any in the gateway towns for Bale Mountains trekking.
Getting There & Away
Shashemene is the principal transport hub of the south, and the huge bus station is located
along the new bypass, northeast of the city centre. Buses run frequently to Sodo (Birr40,
three hours), Addis Ababa (Birr90, four hours) via Ziway (Birr28, 1½ hours) and Goba
(Birr59, three hours) via Dodola (Birr24, one hour). There's also one early morning bus
direct to Moyale (Birr100, 11 to 12 hours) via Dilla (Birr30, three hours) and two to
