Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ambo
POP 49,500 / ELEV 2101M
Mineral water is Ambo's claim to fame; it's bottled here and sold throughout Ethiopia.
The water is so fizzy that it continues to sparkle even in a glass left overnight! Although
you can't visit the factory, you can take a dip in the famous
thermal pool
(admission
Mon-Thu Birr11, Fri-Sun Birr17; 6am-6pm)
run by Ambo Ethiopia Hotel. Despite the
murky green colour, the pool is cleaned weekly.
The town also offers an interesting Saturday
market
where you can find brightly col-
oured Ambo baskets.
You'll find a Dashen bank with an ATM accepting Visa cards on the main drag, as well
as an internet cafe or two.
Sleeping & Eating
Ambo Ethiopia Hotel $
( 0112-362002; per tent Birr100, s/d Birr142/203)
Set around flowering gardens, this
old colonial place has bundles of old-world charm. Though it shows its age in places, it's
still quite comfortable and some rooms have satellite TV. The classic dining hall (mains
Birr50 to Birr75), which alone makes a stay worthwhile, serves Western and Ethiopian se-
lections. Guests have free use of the town's mineral pool. It's located 150m west of the
bus station.
RESORT
Abebech Metaferia Hotel $
( 0112-362365; tw Birr155-265, d/ste Birr255/ 350)
This modern (and rather ugly)
tower, just east of the bus station, houses what are feted as Ambo's smartest rooms. This
might well be true, but sadly there's zero character and lots of road noise.
HOTEL
Hoteela Jibaatifi Maccaa $
( 0112-362253; d Birr104-150; )
Set in a large compound, this place has cheap old
rooms that the cheerful and commendably honest owner described as 'bad', or rooms in a
new block that have cold showers but are otherwise clean and very good value. It is loc-
ated next to the turn-off for Mt Wenchi.
HOTEL
