Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOUTH TO KENYA
The northern half of this route takes you through verdant
enset
('false-banana' trees), maize
and coffee fields and past two minor archaeological sites. Minutes after Hayere Maryam,
there's a rapid change from lush, fertile farms to the dusty, sparsely populated cattle coun-
try of the Borena people, where you can witness singing wells and salt-filled craters before
wiping sweat from your brow as you enter the baking plains and desolate glory that contin-
ues into northern Kenya.
AREGASH LODGE
The only thing of interest in Yirgalem,
Aregash Lodge
( 0462-251136;
www.aregashlodge.com
; incl breakfast s
& d US$60, tr & q US$90; )
is one of Ethiopia's most lauded lodges. The Sidamo-inspired thatched huts are
rustically plush with bamboo furniture and lots of space while the grounds are home to 100-plus species of bird and
black-and-white colobus. Hyenas come to feed during the evening coffee ceremony. The excellent buffet meals cost
Birr150 to Birr170 and use vegies from the garden. Walks to local villages are available and so is horse riding if you
book in advance.
Dilla
POP 75,400 / ELEV 1570M
From a traveller's perspective the only noteworthy thing about the capital of Gedeo Zone is
that within its sphere of influence lie two of southern Ethiopia's most important
stelae
fields
. And those who've been in the south for some time may relish the chance to check
their email and raid the Dashen Bank's ATM.
