FAQ

Where is Simien Lodge?

Simien Lodge is inside Simien Mountains National Park, about 22 km from Debark: 16 km to the park gate at Sawre, then 6 km more. Buy park tickets at the park office in Debark; the park is open 6am to 6pm.

The lodge is located at the beginning of the escarpment, about 22km from Debarak which is the 'frontier town' near to the Simien Mountain National Park. Entrance tickets to the park are purchased at the park office in Debarak. The park gate itself is at Sawre, about 16km from Debarak and then the Lodge is another 6km past the gate where the scenery really opens out.

Note that the park is open from 6am to 6pm. Sometimes it is possible to get an extension to these times but not always. So it is important to arrive before nighfall. Simien Lodge cannot be held responsible for late arrivals and entry refusal by the park staff. Payments will not be refunded under these circumstances.

How cold does it get at night in the Simien Mountains?

Days are warm with strong sun, but nights are cold and can drop below freezing higher up, especially in December and January. Bring warm clothes: the lodge’s solar floor heating adds only a few degrees.

The temperature in the Simiens varies tremendously between night and day and also depending on what altitude you are at. The higher you are in the Simien Mountains the colder it tends to be. In the day it tends to be quite hot with a very powerful sun and at night, as soon as the sun dips behind the mountains the temperature drops dramatically and may well drop below freezing at Gich and above (and even below sometimes). Hypothermia at night is a real possibility for trekkers who have the wrong equipment.

Between October and May the likelihood of rain is very slim, as it is the Simien Mountains dry season, but even in October and May it may be worthwhile bringing a waterproof jacket just in case, because when it rains it pours! December and January are the coldest months when the sky is clearest at night. The real rainy season is July and August but even then it does not rain all the time.

We have under floor heating by solar panels. Hot water is pumped under the lodge floor during the day. This only raises the temperature a few degrees; it is not a European central heating system. The Simiens are cold at night. Bring warm clothing.

Why isn’t the lodge built on the cliff edge?

Strong winds rise up the escarpment and would damage the thatched roofs, and keeping the lodge’s lights away from the cliffs avoids disturbing jackals, hyenas and leopards hunting at night.

Many people ask us why we did not build on the escarpment and face the north-east. The answer is quite simple. Strong winds rise up the escarpment, especially in the wet season. The cliffs can be exposed. If we had built on the cliff edge we may have been subject to violent winds that would destroy the thatched roofs. Currently we have to re-thatch every three years. Also we want to limit the lights shinning down the escarpment that might interrupt the nocturnal hunting activities of the jackal, hyena and leopard.

What are the Simien Mountains park entrance fees?

Park fees are set by the park authority, not by Simien Lodge, and are paid at the park office in Debark. The table below shows the fees last published here; check current rates when you arrive.

Note that these fees are charged in Debarak at the park office and are not fixed by Simien Lodge.

Do I need a scout or a guide in the Simien Mountains?

Yes: park rules require a scout to go with every group into the park. A guide is optional but makes the trip more informative. Book both at the park office in Debark.

The park authority have two distinct groups; scouts and guides. Scouts are local men. Guides are more educated people who have knowledge of the fauna and flora and who speak English. At present it is a park rule that a scout has to go with the group into the park. The reason is as much to make local employment than for your safety because it is difficult to get lost in the Simiens and the trek is very secure. There is no danger from wild animals in the park. The carrying of guns by the scouts is a throwback to the early days when they looked to other African parks for standards to apply. Consequently Scouts do carry guns (kalashnikoffs) which may disturb some tourists. Professionals in the tourist industry work hard to dispell the myth of a land of war and famine so this is a contradiction. If you don't like the gun then just ask the scout to keep a discrete distance. However these guys are very friendly and they can provide good information through an interepreter because their english is poor. Historically it was not essential to take a guide although your trip will be more informative if you do.

It is always best just to book at the park office in Debarak. Never be duped by offers of good equipment either in Gonder or elsewhere. Only sign contracts at the park office in Debarak.

Can I have a female guide?

There are a couple of female guides in the park who are very popular with visitors. Guides are assigned by rota at the park office in Debark, so ask there when you buy your park ticket.

We can provide guides at the lodge but not scouts who are hired when you pay the park entrance fee in Debarak. There is a rota and this is in the charge of the guides association. Your guide & scout will be engaged according to the rota system.

How do I get to Simien Lodge?

Most guests come by road from Gondar via Debark. A four-wheel drive is best in the rainy season, driving in the park is not allowed after dark, and a daily bus from Debark passes the lodge.

When it rains it is best to have a four wheel drive car although the road is passable for two wheel drive vehicles in the dry season. Driving between sunset and sunrise is not allowed in the park. Occasionally we can organise a car for you in Gonder and driver which will stay with you while in the Simiens. This is a good solution since you may want to trek deep into the Simiens and have the car bring you back along the vehicle track which could save the walk back along much the same route (the Simiens are a long escarpment).

There is a daily bus which passes the lodge and starts its journey in Debarak. It continues to Janamora to the south east of the park. It is always full and not always reliable. There is a bus from Gonder to Debarak which only costs about $3. But the buses often take longer then planned and there are often breakdowns so if time is short, you may want co consider other forms of transport.

What should I know about driving in the park?

Driving in the park isn’t allowed between sunset and sunrise. Drive slowly along the escarpment: fast driving makes the animals flee, so ask your driver not to rush.

Please drive slowly in the park. The tour buses drive much too fast at the moment. They are often on a tight schedule and the lack of good accommodation up until now has resulted in speeding to get out of the park before sunset. A leopard was run down and killed recently. If you arrive by car tell your driver to drive slowly along the escarpment. Fast driving only makes the animals flee and this spoils things for everyone. Don't be afraid to comment to your guide. Don't let your driver rush your trip; he has seen it all before and his interest is often to get back home as soon as possible.

Are the animals in the Simien Mountains dangerous?

No. Leopards and hyenas avoid people, and gelada, walia ibex, jackals and foxes can be watched safely. Keep away from hamadryas baboons in the lowlands, and never feed the gelada.

The animals in the park are not dangerous. There are leopard and hyena but you will be lucky to see them and they will avoid you. If you are walking, they will see and hear you ten minutes before you see them. There are hamadryas baboons in the lowland area but don't go near them. They are aggressive if cornered. You should be able to see ibex, kipspinger, jackals and foxes. You can walk amongst a pack of jackals at night. They are not dangerous. There are no snakes; it is too cold for reptiles.

Gelada and getting good pictures: The gelada monkey (they are not baboons which is a different genus) can often be seen right outside your door in the morning. Their safe distance is 10 meters which is the distance they use to flee from predators. Please do not feed the gelada. The first dumb tourist who does this will spoil things for future tourists! Gelada are highly intelligent. They distinguish between tourists and the local boys and allow tourists to get closer than the locals who throw stones.

How to take great photos: Spread out when approaching gelada. Make some gentle noises so they know where you are. Don't look at them in the eye which is a sign of attack for a gelada, especially the males. Approach sideways. Don't rush at them in groups. You should be able to get within 2 meters of them if you go about it the right way and you will get some great pictures. Most nights we do a slide show in the lodge with information about the Gelada. It is very scientific and informative and adds to the enjoyment of viewing the animals.

There are often research projects going on in the Simiens with teams from the University of Michigan. If you see them, don't rush up to say hello. They have probably been there since 6am and are waiting to get the right picture or an audio recording. You could spoil a whole morning's work. If you are in a car, ask the driver to turn the engine off.

Will I get altitude sickness at Simien Lodge?

Few guests do, but the lodge is at about 3,300 metres, so spend a few days above 2,000 metres in Ethiopia first, drink plenty of water and bring a hat against the sun.

Both are a very real problem if you do not take precautions. The lodge is at 3300 meters, the highest in Africa. It is best to acclimatise for several days in Ethiopia above 2000 meters before coming to the Simiens. Altitude sickness makes you feel terrible and will spoil your stay. The only remedy is to descend to Debarak and sleep. Drink lots of water before you come up to the lodge and don't dehydrate when in the mountains. However few people get altitude sickness. We have had guests aged in their eighties and nineties stay at the lodge. Only those people who have come straight from sea level are at risk. Sunstroke is more of a problem. Be sure to bring a hat.

Are there any nuisances to be aware of?

Only rats, which are common in the Simiens and are the natural prey of jackals and foxes. They are not town sewer rats.

Rats are common in the Simiens and are the natural prey of the jackals and foxes. They are not suburban sewer rats.

Can I buy food in the Simien Mountains?

Only bread and Ethiopian dishes are available in Debark. The lodge restaurant serves international and Ethiopian food, and makes packed lunches for trekkers.

There is no foreign food available in Debarak or the Simiens apart from at the lodge. In Debarak the food is limited. Bread is available from a bakery. Otherwise it is generally Ethiopian enjera and wot.

One nice thing to do is buy a sheep at some point of a trek. The park is inhabited and you can buy a sheep, chicken and eggs quite easily. A sheep generally costs about 140 birr and if you do this it has two advantages.Firstly it provides meat for everyone and the guides like it. They prepare the meat for you. Secondly the smell attracts the foxes, hyenas and jackals so you get a good spectacle at night.

Food at Simien Lodge

Food at the lodge is International Fare with alternative Ethiopian dishes.

We can do a special Champagne Lunch for small groups. We set out tables with white table cloths and a gazebo high on the escarpment and you can have a high quality picnic lunch and view the animals at the same time. The much generally lasts about two hours and most people say that it is the highlight of their Ethiopian tour, away from the hassle of the towns and in harmony with nature. We also do packed lunches for trekkers who just want to keep walking.

Kitchen: Please feel free to visit our kitchen. We are proud that it is the cleanest in Ethiopia. We have very strict hygiene principals.

Can I pay by credit card at Simien Lodge?

Not at the lodge itself: cards are accepted at the Addis Ababa office. At the lodge you can pay in US dollars, pounds, euros or birr, and there are ATMs in Debark.

We will accept US dollars, UK Pounds, Euros and Ethiopian Birr. Simien Lodge accept credit card payments in our Addis office but not at the lodge (modem connection to banks required). There are now many ATM machines in the main towns, including in Debark the frontier town of the Simiens. Bring cash with you for payment for souvenirs and tips. Ethiopia is very safe generally and robbery is very uncommon. However the largest denomination is the 100 birr note which is worth about $4. So this might mean that you are carrying large bundles of notes. Credit cards are starting to be accepted.

Is there a map of the Simien Mountains?

There is one map, first printed by the University of Berne in 1977. Most guides carry a photocopy, and it is sometimes sold at the park office.

There is currently only one map available, printed originally by the University of Berne in 1977. Most of the guides have photocopies. Occasionally these maps are available at the park office for $30.

Does the lodge have evening talks or films?

Yes. Most nights there is something on at the lodge, from a film to an evening lecture, including a slide show about the gelada.

Most nights we have something going on in the lodge, vaying from either a film to an evening lecture.

Can I camp and trek from Simien Lodge?

Yes. The lodge hires out tents, sleeping bags rated to −5 °C and camping kit, can arrange mules and guides, and will keep your extra luggage while you trek.

Trekking and camping provides several possibilities. If you are staying in the lodge at the beginning or the end of your trek then you can leave unwanted baggage with us so you can walk 'lightweight' for walking. You can hire donkeys and mule drivers. You can hire a horse to ride although Simien horses are smallish beasts and you might feel that you are abusing the unshod horse after a short while. The Simien people treat animals badly as a rule and tourists can help by education. At the lodge we have good new tents and sleeping bags. If you hire in Gonder or Debarak then be careful since most of the tents leak and the sleeping bags are thin. Our sleeping bags are rated to -5 and are properly cleaned after each trek. Please advise us in advance and list the number of tents, sleeping bags, mules, guide, etc that you require.

There is a 'refuge' at Sankabur but it is not a lodge in the sense of Simien Lodge and we prefer that our guests do not use it except in the rainy season. It is more hygienic to camp. The same applies to so called 'Community Lodges'. They are OK if you don't mind roughing it but they are not real lodges. Don't expect a shower for example.

Activities Available at Simien Lodge

• Trekking
• Mountain Bike Riding
• Horse Trekking in the Simiens (see notes)

From Simien Lodge you can hire:

• Tents (two person) Quetcha automatic type
• (Winter) sleeping bags rated to -5deg
• Mattresses plates, spoons, knives, forks and cups

(and the stove can be rented from the Cook or Debark Park Office)

Beware of hiring used equipment in from places which do not specialise. The equipment is often poor quality and you could end up either very wet or very cold.

Different types of trekking available around the Lodge are:

What half-day walks are there from the lodge?

Easy or more challenging half-day routes start at the lodge. Walk back, or be picked up by car in time for lunch, or even in time to drive on to Gondar that afternoon.

It is possible to take either challenging or not too challenging routes from the lodge which last just half a day and either return to the lodge by foot or to walk further a field and get picked up by car in order to come back to the lodge for lunch (and if you are on a tight schedule to even return to Gonder that afternoon)

What day walks can I do from the lodge?

Take a packed lunch and walk to nearby viewpoints, waterfalls and villages on easier paths or hillier routes, then walk back or be picked up by car. For a challenge, climb down the escarpment to the Adarmaz monastery.

You can order a packed lunch from the kitchen and stock up on water and head out for the day. You can stay on the relatively flatter paths of go off the beaten track and try some of the more challenging hillier walks to nearby view points, waterfalls and villages and then walk back of get picked up by car.

If you want a challenge then you can walk down the sides of the escarpment to the plateau to visit the Adarmaz monastery. The walk involves some narrow paths and stell ladders down vertical rocks (although the quality of these may vary!)

Are there nature walks near the lodge?

Every walk in the Simiens is a nature walk, and you don’t need to go far: gelada troops and great viewpoints are close to the lodge. Walks can be tailored to photography, plants or wildlife.

Every walk in the Simiens is a nature walk. But if youre keen on photography, beautiful landscape and sceneries, flora and fauna or wild-animals, you dont need to walk far from the lodge to be immersed in amazing examples of all of these. (In fact, you can sit on your sun-porch and watch it come to you.) But if you arent that patient then tailored walks can be done to encompass any of these aspects. You can find one of the nearby Gilada Packs and sit just metres away from these amazing animals or walk to spectacular viewpoints.

Can I do a multi-day trek from the lodge?

Yes. A popular route takes three days, from the lodge to Sankaber, Gich and Chenek, camping on the way and returning by car. It can be shortened, lengthened or walked back as a six-day trek.

You can of course extend you trekking experience to camp out and walk deeper in to the park over a few days. Possible routes include:

3 days leisurely trekking from Buit Ras (Simien Lodge) to Sankaber (5 Hours), Sankaber to Gich (6 Hours) and Gich to Chenek (7 hours) and get picked up by car.

This can be made into a shorter or longer trip, as you can get picked up at the end of any day or could walk yet further into the park or make it into a 6 day trek if you walk back as well!

Variations include staying at Gich Camp a few nights and doing some day walks around Gich escarpments to avoid having to increase in altitude any more.

2 Days more physical walking: from Buyat Ras to Gich (7 Hours) and Gich to Chenek (5 hours) and you can come back by car, or walk.

Can I climb Ras Dashen from Simien Lodge?

Yes. Ethiopia’s highest mountain is about six days’ trek from the lodge, or three days from Bwahit, which you can reach by car.

You also have the opportunity to climb the highest mountain in Ethiopia - Ras Dashen. Although this could be done in 6 days from the lodge, we would advise taking longer over it unless you are properly acclimatised to these altitudes. Alternatively you can travel by car to Chunnuk camp or Bwahit and start trekking from there.

From Bwahit it is a three day trek.

From Bwahit you descend to the Mesheba river which takes about 4 hours through the village of Chiroleba. After the river at 2700m you climb to the camp which takes about 2 hours. The trek to the summit normally starts about 4am on the next day since the summit is often shrouded in cloud which comes later in the day. There is a long traverse through giant lobelia woods. The final 100 meters to the summit requires some rock climbing skills. There are a couple of parts which are steep. The same morning, the return to the camp is quite simple but the total walking time on this day is about 10/11 hours. The return to Bwahit the next day is perhaps the most tiring part of the three days. There is no radio communication, no search and rescue, no medical facilities on the far side of Bwahit.

Can I trek with a full support team?

Yes. Most trekkers hire a scout, guide, cook, mules and mule handlers, with spare horses as a backup, so tents, food and navigation are all taken care of.

As a result of the altitude, the more popular way of trekking requires you to hire a scout, guide, cook, mules and mulers. Extra horses are available to take if you would like a back up in case it is harder in places than you had imagined. This allows you to concentrate on the good views and the enjoyable trekking, with tents, food and navigation being taken care of.

Can I trek independently, carrying my own gear?

If you are fit, you can hire just a scout and carry everything yourself. Bring lightweight gear from home: the equipment for hire here is made to be carried by mules.

If you are feeling fit, it is also possible to only hire a scout (who will know the way of the more popular treks, but may struggle more off the beaten track!) If you have a large enough rucksack then you can carry everything with you, but this should include food, water etc.

To make this a viable option you will need to bring all of your trekking equipment with you from home as trekking equipment on hire here is not light-weight, it is brought with mules in mind!

(Limited) food can be brought from Debark, but is more reliably brought from Gonder or Axum. Camping gas cylinders are available in Addis, or you can bring a multi-fuel or petrol stove with you instead and it is best to buy fuel in Gonder, although limited supplies of fuel are available in Debarke.

Can I go horse trekking in the Simiens?

Yes, but Ethiopian horses are smaller than European ones, so they are best as a backup rather than for carrying heavy loads up and down steep hills.

The Horses in Ethiopia are not the same size as horses in Europe and tend to come up a little smaller, so although they are good as a back up, they are generally unable to carry heavy loads up or down the steeper of the hills. The equipment used here is somewhat rudimentary and as such is not as kind to the horses. The horses are not treated to such a good standard as the horses in Europe.

Simien Lodge support international efforts regarding global warming and assisted with the planting of 7000 trees last rainy season.