Situated near the most beautiful Lake and surrounded by volcanic mountains, now the focus of plans for major reforestation. Welcome to Ziway (Batu) Lodge
in the Rift Valley town of Batu. This family-run Lodge was conceived by its owners back in 2007, partly as a means to earn sustainable income which could be used to help support the environment and most needy communities, individuals and Equines
in the Batu locality. Eight years later it has been completed!! Ziway Batu Lodge is envisaged to be the “Mother Project” from which a number of offsprings are planned, all of which will be focussed on developing Ethiopia. While the Lodge is hoped to be a successful commercial enterprise, its objective is charitable. Location and Development. Initially, lakeside locations were identified in both Shala-Abijata (2005) and Langano (2006), but both opportunities fell through for different reasons. Subsequently the current location on the northern edge of Ziway (Batu) township was identified. While the site was not on the lakeside, Ziway (Batu) lies within the Lakeland Rift Valley of Ethiopia, within one kilometer of Ziway Lake and within easy access to all lakes. The Lodge lies adjacent to the Addis Ababa-Kenya (Moyale) tarred highway, some 2-3 hours drive south from Addis itself.The site, measuring some 60 by 30 meters, was undeveloped when first identified, but was walled and gated only. A design was then conceived, as below. Its British owners, Selas, Michael and Katrina Russell, are committed to helping the development of Ethiopia, through their compassion and their professions of Nursing, Forestry/Environment and Anthropology. The Lodge is a totally new venture but a means to underpin their dreams.The Lodge’s development was wholly financed from family savings and income, hence the very extended period of development. A significant part of ther capital was earned through the family’s 3 hectare Christmas tree plantation project in the UK, that was established in 1994, supplying local communities with fresh Spruce, Fir and Pine, along with refreshments, children’s free gifts and a special and seasonal “day out”. The Lodge has been designed to try to capture something of the “Old Africa”, with red roofs and floors, high ceilings, luxuriant gardens and traditional materials, set into a peaceful environment. Accomodation comprises six double bedrooms with twin beds and separate shower/wet room, four large single bedrooms with small double bed and en suite bathroom, four standard single bedrooms with small double bed and en suit bathroom. All bedrooms have their own veranda, along with satellite TV, fridge with complimentary spring water, tea-making facility, internal telephone and mosquito nets. Traditional materials have been used as much as possible in order to provide both beauty and comfort. In addition to the 14 bedrooms described above a VIP bedroom has recently been completed but this is awaiting furnishing. The main centre of the Lodge comprises an “old world” style building, which includes a restaurant with character bar, quiet lounge/library, and an upper open-air bar with conference and party opportunities. There is in addition free wi-fi, shop (yet to open) and paradise pool (1-3 meters) with children’s area (40 cm deep) and a waterfall. The Lodge is set in luxuriant garden’s, mostly planted before construction started, giving the impression of long establishment, in which a range of tropical trees and shrubs have been selected, including Papaya, Mango, Guava, Avocado, Flambouyany, Flame of the Forest, Jackaranda, Olive, Pomegranite, Cassia, Silk Oak, Casmir, Sweet Banana, Wild Banana (Enset), Eucalyptus, Hibiscus, Oleander, Bouganvillea, Aloe, Passionfruit etc. As soon as possible all species will be labelled to allow guests to identify those which are unfamiliar to them. The shop, located beneath the VIP bedroom, accessed from the stone-paved car park, while not yet equipped, is proposed to provide both traditional/cultural items, procured from local markets, as well as basic requirements of visitors. Soft drinks and information will also be available at this point within the lodge. A similar building is proposed in the future within which, apart from a second VIP bedroom, an Environmental Centre is planned, which will display items, photographs, text and maps relating to Rift Valley Flora, Fauna, Lakes, Geology, Geography, Metrology, Landuse, Culture etc. Such should be of interest to visitors and it is also planned to invite international school children to use this centre for study, while exchanging with Ethiopian students. Another dream!! While the Lodge provides a secluded get-away, a social meeting point, and an ideal venue for a workshop/meeting or conference, it is also planned to provide local tours for international visitors. Based on Ziway (Batu), visits and tours can be made to so many fascinating places of interest, for days out or for extended nights away. Such locations can include lakes, volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs, cloud forest, National parks, Game Reserves, Rock Churches etc. It is also proposed to establish a relationship with local vinyards, flower growers, sugar cane plantations etc, to allow visitors to understand the processes involved. While some knowledge already exists, it is shortly proposed to undertake site visits to many areas of potential interest, to record information and take photographic records. Such will be compiled into an album for visitors to peruse in order to select their own bespoke adventure. Currently one 30 TD5 Land Rover is available for such tours. Access
While national guests are likely to be independently mobile, international visitors can be collected by the Lodge from Bole International Airport (delivered very comfortably and professionally by the national airline, Ethiopian Airlines, from most international origins), and driven down the Rift Valley to Ziway (Batu), where the adventure can continue. Alternatively, guests can stay in Addis Ababa for some days and nights, to get a historical, “urban experience”, prior toproceeding to Ziway. There is a proposal for our Lodge to build a guesthouse “outstation” in Addis Ababa, where land is already available, where guests could stay, but such is only a possibility at this stage. Rates
Flights. From London by Ethiopian direct return…………….GBP £500.00 variable
Rooms. (inclusive of 15% Govt Tax)
Double Bedroom with full breakfast, twin single beds, en suite bathroom with separate shower room, Satellite TV, internal phone, ceiling fan, fridge with spring water, tea-making facility, mosquito nets, free access to swimming pool and Wi-Fi etc……………….. GBP £25.00 or US$37.00 or Euro 30.00 or Eth Birr 750.00
Standard Single Bedroom with full breakfast, small double bed, en suite bathroom with shower, Satellite TV, internal phone, ceiling fan, fridge with spring water, tea-making facility, mosquito nets, free access to swimming pool and Wi-Fi etc………………..GBP £17.00 or US$25.00 or Euro 20.00 or Eth Birr 500.00
Meals (exclusive of 15% Govt Tax)
Free breakfast for residents. Three course meal (lunch and dinner) from extensive menu approximately (variable) …………..GBP £5.00 or US$7.50 or Euro 6.00 or Eth Birr 150.00
Beer (bottle)……GBP £0.66p or US$1.00 or Euro 0.80 or Birr 20.00 variable
Wine (bottle)……GBP £5.00-£8.30 or US$7.50-$12.50 or Euro 6.00-10.00 or Birr 150 variable
Coffee……………….GBP £0.50p or US$0.75c or Euro 0.60c or Birr 15.00
Tea……………………GBP £0.33p or US$0.50c or Euro 0.40c or Birr 10.00
Tour costs. Yet to be calculated, but in the region of GBP £50.00/day (excl 15% Govt tax), plus fuel plus any meals on route and overnight accommodation at cost. Contact:
Mobile Zeru on 00251 (0)911806141
Mobile Hagos on 00251 (0) 911 317418
Land line Wenchet on 00251 (0) 464 412408
Land line Selas in the UK on 0044 (0)1934 822521
Email Michael on [email protected]
Facebook: Ziway Lodge
Web site is pending!! We hope that you will enjoy what we have to offer. The Ziway (Batu) Lodge Family.
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