Gheralta Lodge is situated on the outskirts of the village of Hawzen, in a broad agricultural valley backed by the dramatic sandstone Gheralta Mountains. This Italian-owned lodge offers 5 stone-built bungalows atop a plateau that overlooks the Gheralta Mountains. It is perfectly positioned for full or half day excursions to explore the rock-churches of Tigray.
Gheralta Mountains in Ethiopia
A Unique Ethiopian Experience
Gheralta Lodge is a relatively high quality property, certainly one of the better options in Ethiopia. The walls are all of honey-coloured stone hewn by local masons and the roofs are thatched in the traditional style. The property has been sensitively built into the natural landscape, with a very strong focus on sourcing products locally and sustainably, which is reflected in its use of traditional construction techniques.
The lodge is centred on a main building with comfortable indoor lounge areas and a lovely outside dining area.
Accommodation
Guest accommodation is in just five detached rooms, each with a conventional indoor bathroom, a private verandah and broad views of the surrounding landscapes. There are 5 stone-walled bungalows on offer with twin, double, or single rooms available. Each room comes with an en-suite bathroom and a small window over the desk. The rooms have a distinct cabin feel and reception in this pocket of Gheralta is quite poor meaning you're off the grid at Gheralta Lodge.
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Gheralta Lodge comprises fifteen huts of varying sizes, each spotlessly clean and featuring comfortable beds, Italian furnishings, mains electricity, and marble-clad bathrooms with abundant hot water. The larger rooms can be converted intro triples, suitable for families.
Italian Hospitality in the Heart of Ethiopia
Gheralta Lodge is owned and operated by Italian expats Enrica and Silvio Rizzotti, who have created a small slice of Italy in the heart of Ethiopia. They are lovely people and passionate advocates of the Gheralta region and its people. We have always found the staff to be very attentive and Enrica and Silvio are usually around in the background, ensuring that things go smoothly.
Dining at Gheralta Lodge
The lodge offers full-board service and dinner is served at a set time with a fixed menu. Food is described as being “good simple cooking, using fine local ingredients”, naturally with an Italian eye for detail and quality (they even sometimes have fine Italian wines). The restaurant at Gheralta Lodge is lovely, and serves simple but delicious Italian food utilising ingredients grown locally. The large main building of Gheralta Lodge houses a small lounge, library, and Italian-style restaurant. The bar is well-stocked with Italian wines.
Activities and Excursions
Rock-Hewn Churches of Tigray, Ethiopia | Africa’s Cultural Landmarks
Gheralta Lodge is at the heart of the rock church area of the Gheralta Mountains, with over 140 Ethiopian Orthodox Christian churches and archaeological sites within easy reach. This is an extensive area of freestanding inselbergs and undulating hills which conceal an incredible wealth and diversity of secret rock-hewn churches. Many of these amazing places of worship are extremely inaccessible and can only be reached by traversing some pretty extreme hiking trails. The experience of visiting these churches is, without doubt, one of the most exciting and atmospheric things to do in Ethiopia. It really feels an honour that the lovely local people are generous enough to share these intimate places with outsiders.
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Rock-Hewn Churches of Tigray
The most famous church, the dramatic Abuna Yemata Guh, is 8 km to the east, a short drive away, as is the Abuna Maryam Korkor monastery. Back at the lodge, the grounds are large enough to provide a lovely scenic stroll around sundown and the Tekla Haymanot church, which dates from around 1250 AD, is also within easy walking distance, where it may be possible to take part in colourful religious ceremonies. A whole raft of other locations can be visited on half day and full day excursions from the lodge, not only more rock-carved churches, but also various hermitages, shrines, monasteries, villages and ancient sites from the Sabean and Axumite eras.
Table: Activities near Gheralta Lodge
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Visit Rock-Hewn Churches | Explore over 200 churches, including Abuna Yemata Guh and Abuna Maryam Korkor. |
| Hawzen Town Market | Experience local culture and trade. |
| Hiking and Bird-Watching | Enjoy the hilly landscape and observe local wildlife. |
| Tekla Haymanot Church | Visit this ancient church (circa 1250 AD) and participate in religious ceremonies. |
Important Information
Gheralta Lodge is located at Hawzen, 2 hours by four-wheel drive vehicle from Mekelle airport in northern Ethiopia. In the Gerhalta area (named after the mountains), you can visit some fascinating rock-hewn churches from where there are stunning views over the surrounding countryside. This owner-run lodge is arguably Ethiopia’s most sought-after property, so visitors are advised to book long in advance.
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