One of a kind

Nobody's told you about these yet

Ethiopia's new generation of resorts — hot-spring villages, crater-lake lodges, and lakeside spas, most opened in the last three years. Every one bookable through our concierge at pre-agreed rates.

♨️Lake Beseka, Metehara

Beynouna Village

Hot-spring suites and a working farm on the shore of Lake Beseka

A village turned retreat beside Lake Beseka: suites ringed by natural hot mineral spring pools, a cultural wing, glamping RVs, three restaurants, daily coffee ceremonies in the Majlis, and a 10-hectare farm with camels and horses. Gateway to Awash and Asebot national parks, and one of the country's great birding lakes (200+ species in season).

✦Suites surrounded by natural hot mineral-spring pools
✦Lake Beseka birding — 200+ species in season
✦10-hectare farm: camels, horses, fruit plantations
✦Day trips into Awash National Park

Getting there: ~3h east of Addis

from $180 / night

🌴Afar, edge of Awash National Park

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs

Eleven natural hot-spring pools on the edge of Awash

An eco-lodge on the northern rim of Awash National Park where eleven turquoise hot-spring pools rise out of the palm groves. Doum palms, crocodile viewpoints, Afar guides, and desert stars — the classic weekend circuit pairs it with the park's waterfalls and game drives.

✦11 natural hot-spring swimming pools
✦Awash National Park game drives & falls
✦Afar cultural encounters
✦Lake-view eco-bungalows

Getting there: ~4h east of Addis

from $100 / night

🛶Lake Tana north shore

Gorgora Eco Lodge

A new luxury eco-resort on a Lake Tana peninsula

Opened in 2024 on a peninsula where Lake Tana meets centuries of monastery history. Spa, pools, boat trips to island monasteries, pelicans at breakfast — and Gondar's castles an hour away. The newest way to do the north gently.

✦Lake Tana island-monastery boat trips
✦Spa + infinity pool over the lake
✦Pairs with Gondar castles (1h)
✦Birdlife: pelicans, fish eagles, hornbills

Getting there: 1h flight to Gondar + 1h drive

from $150 / night

🏯Dawro, Gibe III lake

Halala Kella Resort

A mountaintop fortress-lodge above a vast highland reservoir

Named for a Dawro king and his 16th-century stone fortifications, Halala Kella stands on a promontory over the Gibe III lake — sunset boat rides, morning fishing, cycling, and Dawro culture that almost no traveler has met. Ethiopia's most surprising new weekend.

✦Sunset boat excursions on the reservoir
✦Dawro & Tsera cultural immersion
✦Panoramic mountaintop rooms
✦Morning fishing + cycling trails

Getting there: Fly to Arba Minch + scenic 170km

from $130 / night

🐘Chebera Churchura NP, Konta

Chebera Elephant Paw Lodge

Sleep inside an elephant sanctuary in Ethiopia's wildest park

Inside Chebera Churchura National Park — the country's best elephant stronghold — with viewing decks over the forest, buffalo and hippo on the circuit, and a lodge that funds the local hospital. Remote, rewarding, and nearly untouristed.

✦Elephant herds from raised viewing decks
✦One of Ethiopia's wildest national parks
✦Community-run: the lodge funds a local hospital
✦Forest birding & waterfall walks

Getting there: Fly to Jimma/Arba Minch + drive

from $140 / night

🌋Wonchi crater lake, Oromia

Wonchi Eco Lodge

A crater-lake escape three hours from the capital

On the rim of Mount Wonchi's crater, looking down at an emerald lake with an island monastery. Horse treks to the shore, boat crossings, hot springs in the valley — the easiest big-nature weekend from Addis.

✦Crater-rim rooms over the emerald lake
✦Horse trek + boat to the island monastery
✦Valley hot springs
✦Ideal 2-day escape from Addis

Getting there: ~3h southwest of Addis

from $120 / night

🧖Bishoftu crater lakes

Kuriftu Resort & Spa Bishoftu

The capital's favourite lakeside spa weekend

The original Ethiopian resort brand, on the rim of Lake Kuriftu among Bishoftu's crater lakes: lakeside stone cottages, a serious spa, water sports, and Sunday brunches that draw half of Addis. The zero-effort getaway.

✦Lakeside spa — massages, hammam, pools
✦Crater-lake kayaking & boat rides
✦Stone-and-thatch lakeside cottages
✦1 hour from Addis — perfect layover upgrade

Getting there: ~1h southeast of Addis

from $160 / night