The best accommodations Ethiopia

Located on the banks of the Omo, this lodge offers eight bungalows, comfortable and equipped with hot-water bathrooms, but rather outdated for the price, even if their presence here is a miracle. They have a terrace overlooking a garden visited by monkeys and birds. Good Italian cuisine. Activities: game drive, boat trips on the Omo, hiking and village visits. Self-catering camping possible.

This lodge, set in the heart of the Menagasha forest, is one of the finest addresses in the region. It was a royal residence during the reign of Haile Selassie. It is renowned for its hot thermal springs, which supply water at 40°C to both indoor and outdoor pools. It's a restful place, with very comfortable and tastefully furnished tukuls (each room is decorated according to a different Ethiopian ethnic group). In the garden, colobus monkeys, dik-diks, damans and multicolored birds are frequent visitors. Spa and Wifi.

Turmi Lodge is located close to the market, within easy walking distance. It comprises 24 hard-standing rooms furnished and decorated with local materials. All have mosquito nets and showers. However, they are under tin roofs and very hot, not very pleasant, and lack authenticity. The restaurant, far from the rooms, offers only passable dishes. The staff seem sad. It's also a shame that at this price there's no wi-fi (which is available in more modest hotels).

One of the only hotels in town and even in the region apart from the Kuriftu Afar resort, but here at more modest prices. Erta Ale Motel is a new building with large, clean rooms equipped with air-conditioning and hot water, which is essential for a minimum of comfort in an arid, ultra-hot area, especially before setting off on an expedition into the Danakil desert, where it will be downright scorching. To make matters worse, the restaurant serves good Ethiopian cuisine. A good address for those on a budget.

A lodge attracts many birdwatchers who come to observe the wide variety of birds on the Didessa River where it is located. The eponymous nature reserve (despite the hotel's name) is actually located 100 km south of Nekemt, and covers 1,300 ^km2. A protected forest, also crossed by the Didessa River, rich in wildlife (elephants, buffalo, hippos, baboons and gazelles). Visit the reserve from the lodge. Possibility of camping.

One of the chicest Lewi hotels in Awassa. It offers luxurious rooms with all mod cons, decorated in a kitschy style but with a private terrace facing the lake, and air-conditioning in the more expensive rooms. The main driveway leading to the lake crosses a beautiful exotic garden where monkeys come to play. There are also bungalows isolated in the vegetation. The area is popular with wealthy Ethiopian families, who often come here to celebrate weddings. Large swimming pool, sauna and spa (extra charge), bar and restaurant. Boat excursions, Wifi.

Located next to Mountain View, this red-brick lodge offers a dozen fresh, spacious and bright rooms. Extremely well-maintained, they are well-equipped (quality bedding, attractive decor, telephone, mini-fridge, hot water...) and some have a terrace with a panoramic view, which is their main asset. The owner is a former guide who knows the area inside out and can give you some tips on how to visit it. The restaurant is very good, and the staff quite professional. Wifi.

Jimma lacked good, up-to-date hotels to accommodate business travelers to the regions, but especially tourists wanting to visit this very remote part of Ethiopia, teeming with incredible tribes. Awetu Grand Hotel opened a few years ago, and is now one of the city's most comfortable hotels. Modern, clean and affordable. Rooms are pretty and cozy, with brand-new private bathrooms with hot water, some with balconies. We only regret the lack of air-conditioning in the heat. Bar and wi-fi.

Located in Kazanchis, this hotel in a large glass building impresses right from the entrance hall. It has a hundred or so really attractive rooms, some of them not very large, with beautiful mahogany furniture and very firm mattresses. Decorated with modern paintings, a real effort has been made in terms of style. Some are too dark, others have bright bay windows. Its strong point is the top-of-the-range service and spa (gym, hammam and sauna). Excellent buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi and airport shuttle.

Perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Langano, the Sabana offers 25 modern, comfortable bungalows, some of which are designed for families. The landscaped grounds slope gently down to the beach, where you can relax with your feet in the sand and go for a swim. Every possible activity is on offer, including canoeing, beach volleyball, ping pong, waterslides, children's games... There's also a bar and restaurant set in a vast tukul offering a fabulous panorama of the lake. Wi-fi.

The Konso Korebta Lodge is a hotel located in Konso. It is located on the Jinka road, close to the Konso Museum and Konso Hill. The hotel offers intermediate-style rooms and a restaurant. Activities for children are also available. Arba Mintch airport is around 80 km from the hotel. Popular nearby attractions include El Sod, just 6 minutes from the hotel, and the village of Mursi, 20 minutes away.

This is Lalibela's first true luxury hotel, whose main asset is an elegant swimming pool with a wooden deck (the only one in town) and a complete spa for relaxation (hammam, sauna and massages). A little out of the way, it guarantees unruffled calm and space, a guarantee of tranquillity. The bungalows, set on a hillside, guarantee privacy for everyone. Air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, king-size beds, waxed concrete floors, luxury bathrooms, sophisticated restaurant... Le Mezena is all about luxury at reasonable prices. Don't forget to book.

Now the city's newest hotel, having been inaugurated in 2018, Illu Star offers pretty, comfortable rooms with en suite bathrooms featuring hot water, TV, WiFi, comfortable bedding, all at really modest prices. No need to look elsewhere for better comfort or value for money. What's more, the hotel not only boasts a lively restaurant, but also a spa and gym. Unexpected and really nice for a stopover in this remote, little-visited region.

This hotel, housed in a recent pale-blue building, is located in the heart of the town of Nekemt. It's one of the best addresses in town, with a certain standing right from the entrance. The service is excellent, the staff friendly and the restaurant serves good Ethiopian cuisine, including typical Wallaga dishes. Coffee ceremony in the hotel's superb lobby. Rooms with private bathrooms and hot water are cosy, spotlessly clean and super-affordable for a European wallet. Great comfort.

A small, unpretentious, rustic address, with 15 mosquito-screened rooms furnished in the local style and arranged around a courtyard with mango trees. Cleanliness is good, and the shared or private bathrooms (depending on the room chosen) are very pleasant because they are fairly modern, even if they use cold water. Strengths: its excellent restaurant serving traditional Ethiopian cuisine, an amazing WiFi network, a friendly welcome and low prices compared with other, more expensive Jinka addresses that don't offer better services.

For those who prefer to camp rather than stay in ultra-low-cost, not-so-clean guesthouses, this shady camp by the river offers tents for rent, all equipped with rudimentary beds, and shaded camping pitches for those who arrive with their own equipment. This is definitely an option we'd recommend, as camps are ultimately pleasant when you arrive well-equipped, even in the farthest reaches of Ethiopia! It offers the option of ordering meals in advance, but there's nothing to cook on site.

The latest local guesthouse in Jinka offers rooms that are fairly recent and therefore potentially better kept and cleaner than its neighbors. Locally furnished, they are relatively reasonable for the price and compared to what the town has to offer, with private bathroom and hot water, Wifi, what more could you ask for? A generator provides welcome permanent electricity (but avoid the room next door because of the noise). No restaurant, but it's central and close to good places to eat.

One of Shashemene's newest hotels. It offers low-cost rooms, furnished locally but with private bathrooms with hot water and acceptable comfort, especially for the price. Cleanliness is good, as is breakfast, but the beds are a little hard. The main attraction is the lovely garden, with tall palm trees, monkeys and birds as visitors. Loud music in the bar in the evening, frequented by locals, good atmosphere. Wifi.