Limalimo lodge, a remote mountain eco-lodge in the spectacular landscape of Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains, has re-opened its doors to customers following months of being closed due to coronavirus.

Located in the Simien Mountains National Park north of Gondar, the lodge is built using sustainable techniques, with just fourteen rooms which combine simple luxury and elegant design in a stunning setting. The Lodge also prides itself on bringing sustainable tourism to the area, with minimal environmental impact, and creating jobs in the local community.

Limalimo Lodge contributes $10 per night to the Africa Wildlife Foundation for each guest that stays with them, which supports a range of conservation efforts in the park, including the Adisge Village Conservation school.

In an interview with the Embassy, the Lodge manager said that “99% of staff are from the local area, and we have continued to employ all staff (on full wages) throughout the pandemic.”

“We have also been supporting the local community more widely with food packs and will be repeating the effort shortly. To date more than 1,200 people have benefited from the program”

Shiferaw Asrat, Limalimo’s founder, said:

“We can’t wait to get back to do doing what we love: showing people from all over the world this beautiful park… It’s so beautiful up at the lodge these days and the whole team are excited to get back to doing what they love.”

The Simien Mountains are home to the largest population of the Gelada baboon, which live in large groups of up to 200 individuals, the Walia Ibex (a horned mountain goat) and the Ethiopian wolf – all endemic to Ethiopia – as well as leopards, various antelopes, hyenas and more.

There is rich birdlife including lammergeier vultures, tawny eagles and thick billed ravens.

Over 180 species of bird are found within the national park – five of which are seen nowhere else.

Massive erosion has created jagged mountain peaks and a dramatic escarpment that stretches for miles with breath-taking views over the rugged lowlands below. The park includes Ras Dejen, Ethiopia’s highest mountain at 4,542m. The park was listed by UNESCO in 1978, as the second ever site of outstanding beauty.

The lodge recently won a “traveller’s choice award” from TripAdvisor, which is based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, placing them in the top 10% of hospitality businesses.

For further information and bookings, visit the Lodge’s website at https://limalimolodge.com.