Hostels in Ethiopia

Cheap accommodation and hostels are even more hit and miss in Ethiopia, with the prevailing fact that bad hotels are not always a good alternative to good hostels. However, given that fact that budget accommodation in the tradition of backpackers lodges and hostels is a concept that has yet to take off in Ethiopia, it may be that in most instances there will be no alternative.

The usual method of keeping ahead of the curve when travelling independently in Africa is to follow the traveller network and take advice from others who have been in country longer. It is therefore a no brainer that Addis Ababa is the place to start, and usually what are described as guest houses offer the closest facsimile to dedicated backpacker accommodation. There are a handful of these in the city, along with a quite a few budget hotels where backpackers and long range travellers congregate. Carefully review available travel advisories before making your decision.

It also goes without saying that using an online portal, a system that tends to filter out the good from the bad, to make at least your initial accommodation arrangements, will protect you against any bad choices from the onset. This should then immediately put you in touch with the network, after which you can follow the advice of other travellers and reliable hotel or guest house management, who usually can be relied upon to point you in the right direction as you head out of town.