Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
A 6am bus departs for Yabelo (Birr65, six hours) and Moyale (Birr120, nine to 10 hours)
and at least one goes to Addis (Birr108, 10 hours). You can also go south by minibus in
stages. Minibuses are the best option for Shashemene (Birr30, three hours) and Awasa
(Birr27, 2½ hours).
Yabelo
POP 20,700 / ELEV 1857M
The Borena town of Yabelo is a base for visiting Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary and also of-
fers road access to the Omo Valley via Konso. No traveller comes for the town itself,
though it's not an unpleasant place.
Sleeping & Eating
Almost everyone stays at the Yabelo/ Moyale-Shashemene road junction, 5km east of
town.
Hawi Hotel $
( 0464-461114; d Birr200-400, tw Birr500; )
Actually providing decent value, this
unpretentious place provides a clean room (and pretty clean bathroom) with good mat-
tresses and one-channel TV. The newer upstairs rooms are better and have satellite TV.
HOTEL
Borana Lodge $$$
( 0913-306105;
www.yabeloboranalodge.com
; s/d incl breakfast US$88/96; )
A
newish place popular with birdwatchers due to its 50-hectare grounds, 7km southwest of
town. The widely spaced rooms have the feel of a college dorm more than a luxury lodge
and don't warrant the high prices, but you're paying for the overall experience. The swim-
ming pool often sits empty.
LODGE
Kelaa Green Pension $
( 0911-765784; d without bathroom Birr80; )
The cheeriest of several cheapies by
the junction, rooms are good and have little verandahs out the front while the shared squat
toilets are about what you'd expect. There's also a little grocery.
PENSION
