Written by Mina Yirga - Horizon Ethiopia Staff Writer
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Tourism as the rest of the world knows it may not be in the Habesha blood. Sightseeing, adventuring or just the exotic R&R is often usurped by visiting family members during one of the copious obligatory holidays or ceremonial occasions. So just venturing to a beach resort for a week or bearing harsh climate to visit historical castles is usually the realm of the foreign visitors.
Even newer to the domestic travel market is the idea of ecotourism; experiencing nature and culture visiting a naturally appealing site while leaving a small ecological footprint. Tourists often choose to pay a premium to patronize hotels that charge more for their use of renewable energy sources. But with a 14 million USD boost from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) over the next five years, the sector will see some enhanced attention.
The attention is welcome as Ethiopia, notwithstanding immense historical and ecological attractions ranks towards the bottom (126th) of the United Nations’ (UN) Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index. With many companies already claiming to offer “ecotourism,” how can you be sure that your travel experience is really helping the environment? Among various eco-lodges that are blossoming, we have selected Amba (in Ankober) and Simien Lodge as a sample to show you how they have contributed to the ecotourism principles of experiencing nature and benefiting communities.
ANKOBER AMBA LODGE
Surrounded by the beautiful mountainous landscape of Ankober, overlooking the Great Rift Valley, Amba Lodge is paradise for a peaceful weekend retreat. Located about 170 km from the capital, this eco-lodge provides a great base for hiking around the hills, journeys to the upper slopes of majestic Kundi Mountain, visiting historic churches, Ankober markets or a stroll around timeless agricultural riches and a call on farming households to enjoy their hospitality over coffee. The Amba Lodge itself offers cultural events:
“Try yourself” at fire place activities
• Grinding with stone tools • Spinning for making the shema and the gabi • Baking Enjera, and making Ethiopian coffee
Historically, Ankober holds name and fame as one of the centers of the Ethiopian Kingdom since Emperor Yukuno Amlak moved the center of his empire from the north to areas around Ankober in the 13th century. Ever since, the population increased progressively and the mountains have been intensively cultivated. By the 19th century, as Emperor Menelik II moved out of the area, he left behind a depleted and degraded terrain, so that today Ankober suffers from low agricultural productivity.
Two of its countrymen, Engineer Terrefe Raswork and Doctor Hailegabriel Dagne recently partnered and constructed seven eco-friendly lodges, restructuring each to have the previous citadel touch and look. Managers and employees of Amba Lodge are local community members benefiting from additional income as a cut of the lodge’s profit. This is expected to enable the community members to direct and influence the development of tourism in their area as a portion of profits goes back into other community development schemes, such as afforestation of the surrounding hillsides, off farm income generation activities, supporting local traditional schools and helping elderly people.
Though attempts to use solar energy have failed due to the weather conditions, as Ankober lies at over 2800 elevation, rolling clouds make for chilly weather and lower sun exposure, the lodge operates in harmony with the local farming community. Just another aspect of the peace found nestled into this hillside paradise.
SIMIEN LODGE
About 120 km north of Gonder (850 km from Addis Ababa) at the base of Ethiopia’s tallest mountains lies the self-proclaimed “highest hotel in Africa”. While this may be debatable as is the true height of Ras Dashen (the top of Ethiopia), this eco-lodge is a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
The original plan to build a lodge in the Simiens dates back to the times of Haile Selassie when a multi-storey modern hotel was planned. Fortunately, this was never built. The modern day owners hold a more harmonious view of nature tourism (Nick Crane and Fantu Gola) and spent time looking at lodges in the national parks in Kenya before deciding to build a lodge which resembles a typical Simien village.
There are 20 main rooms located 60 meters from the main restaurant area so as to provide total peace and tranquility (note the gelada monkeys regularly visit the lodge). There are two rooms with double queen sized beds and all the other rooms have large single beds. Solar panels provides the power to take the chill out of the rooms with a floor heating system. During the day, hot water is pumped and stored under the floor. This raises the temperature by about ten degrees during the day.
As a perfect introduction to the rugged Simien range this eco-lodge has considered aspects of waste management and harmony with water systems. It is the ideal spot to live for a few days in unison with animals like the Gelada Baboon, threatened species of Walia Ibex, Simien Red Fox while getting unparalleled rest and relaxation in the bargain.
