Mengesha Tours : Ethiopian Homestays and Travel

29/04/2019

This weekend, after 2 months fasting on a vegan diet we prepared for a feast for Fasika (Amharic word for Easter) every Saturday is market day in Lalibela but this Saturday is was busy, everyone was buying fiyir (goat) beg (sheep) or Dorro (chicken) to eat tomorrow when our fast is broken. Some neighbors collect together to even buy a cow and then they share the meat together.
That night most people n Lalibela went to pray in church while some stayed home to preapre a special traditional foo: Dorro wot! Which we ate together at 3am when we finally broke our fast.
At sunrise on Sunday I killed the goat with the help of my nephew who is learning becasue one day this will be his resposibilty. Easter Sunday was spent with family and friends eating and enjoying!

Melkam Fasika to everyone!!

02/04/2019

Some photos of my guest Paul from US at Bete Giyorgis church ad on our trek in the beautiful mountains.

Paul stayed with my airbnb "the lovely African room" in lalibela.
Here is the review he left me:
"Mengesha was a remarkable host. He took we around the city, introduced me to his family and friends, and made me feel a part of the town during my short stay. He planned a hike as well as a visit to the churches. All I had to do was pay the fees. His residence also gives travellers a feel of what the Ethiopian lifestyle is like, and I loved it."

26/03/2019

The Ethiopian Wolf is endemic to Ethiopia and also is Africa's most endangered carnivore.

They live in very particular habitats, the only places you can find them are the Simien Mountains, Bale Mountain, and Abune Yosef (close to lalibela).

Abune Yosef is third highest peak in Ethiopia. I love to take guests to this breathtaking landscape where if you are lucky and have a good eye you will find our beautiful red wolf.

25/03/2019

Emebet "Eskista" dancing with the local children celebrating arriving at the plateau where we spend the night after our first day of trekking. The children always rush over excitedly to greet guests to their small village.
Eskista is a traditional Ethiopian dance famous for its intense shoulder movements. It is the dance of the Amhara region and everybody dances this way, starting from when they are very young!

22/03/2019

Trekking again in our beautiful country, Ethiopia!
This was taking my guest from Lalibela to Abune Yosef, just after the rainy season, when it is the most green and beautiful

20/03/2019

My nephew and niece having a special treat with my guest Nikolaj from Denmark.
Nikolaj and his friend Oliver were both such nice guests i was sad that Oliver was sick on his visit but happy that my home was comfortable for him to rest in.
Here is the Airbnb review for "The Lovely African Room" by Oliver:

We simply had the best time staying with Mengesha. He is the most kind person and greeted us with a truly wonderful hospitality. In fact, as an example of this, upon arrival I was really ill, and Mengesha took me and my friend to hospital in lalibela, and stayed with us throughout the whole day, which was a great help and relief. This is just one example of his kindness and character. Can strongly recommend visiting lalibela from here!

I hope I will have the opportunity to meet Oliver and Nikolaj again one day!

16/03/2019

Grinding coffee beans in our home compound!

Before Emebet came to Ethiopia for the first time, she never drank coffee! Now every time she comes she brings as much back to England as possible because Ethiopian coffee is the best!!!

When you stay with us in lalibela, we like to welcome you with a coffee ceremony and can teach you all of our tradition and even show you the coffee from the plant to the final drink we have it all in the compound!

Find me on airbnb: "The Lovely African Room" and "Most Colourful Compound" in Lalibela, Ethiopia

13/03/2019

You can recognise our family compound easily thanks to Emebets dad, Roger, for painting our beautiful Lalibela cross on the side of our home in his visit in 2017. It is still standing strong today!

11/03/2019

My Lovely guests Ellen J. Volkerink and Sara N. Jiménez Volkerink in my mothers home helping to roast coffee beans. All my family enjoyed their company and I hope they enjoyed our company too!

11/03/2019

With the success of my first airbnb "The Lovely African Room" I was able to open a second room with my sister: "Most Colourful Compound in Lalibela"
We have just newly decorated the room, with help from Nigus and Emebet, we painted the walls, bought a stronger double mattress, new flooring and new curtains too.
I am so greatful to my guests choosing my home, every guest helps me develop my business a little more!

08/03/2019

My American guest, Doria, testing out her shepherding skills in the Ethiopian highlands!

05/03/2019

Find my home on Airbnb as "The Lovely African Room" in Lalibela You are most welcome to visit, and if you are undecided, just read my reviews...

“Mengesha is a pure delight and we had such a special time at Lalibela as part of his community there. He really took such good care of us! I highly recommend him as a terrific host if you are seeking authenticity. Do not come for the Hilton. It is rustic, raw, real and therefore full of pure wonder. Thank you SO much, Mengesha.”

- Doria, USA

02/03/2019

Exploring the local mountains with Emebet and my guests Doria and Markus from America and Germany. Such nice memories!
Photos thanks to Markus

27/02/2019

Trekking in our beautiful mountains; I provide different hiking options depending on my guests time, ability, budget and interests - from day treks to see our open heart baboons, to up to a week long round trek which includes many amazing sites and travel through remote villages and of course climbing Abune Yosef -the third highest peak in Ethiopia!!

26/02/2019

A great way to start the day in Lalibela is with freshly made juice - we have so many types: Avocado, Mango, Banana, Papaya, Guava.
It is also a well deserved treat after taking guests trekking to our local mountain; Abune Yosef, the third highest peak in Ethiopia!

20/02/2019

Check out the link below to find out more about my homestay via Airbnb
I am so greatful to all my guests so far and for the kind words they have to say about my home and assistance...

The following is my review from a great guest, Finlay Bernard:
"Mengesha was, without a doubt, the greatest Airbnb host I have had the pleasure of meeting in my time travelling. This was the best way imaginable to experience Lalibela and I feel very lucky. First of all the accommodation itself was excellent - I experienced authentic and delicious home cooked food made by his mother, along with tasty home brewed beer. His sister also prepared delicious coffee in the traditional ceremony manner. The room itself was also very warm (extra blankets provided) and comfortable. There are plenty guide books on the local area in case you didn't bring your own. I felt very relaxed in leaving all my belongings in the room (a room lock was provided and the home is fenced - with the front gate locked and monitored). What makes the experience even better is Mengesha is a fantastic, friendly host. He is very knowledgeable and can arrange everything for you with regards to Lalibela - where to eat, where to buy certain supplies (the organic honey here is not to be missed), and he even can take you to where they are screening the English Premier League games if you're missing the football! All the time he was ensuring I was getting good prices and not the normal "ferengi" prices. The tour guide that Mengesha arranged for the Lalibela church tour was very friendly and well-informed on the history. It felt like he had an answer for every question I could dream up. And despite the beauty of these stone-cut monuments, the best part of the trip was actually the trekking which Mengesha offers himself into the surrounding mountains, with absolutely stunning scenery, beautiful wildlife on offer (including the rare gelada baboon up close), and an insight into the rural life realities of Ethiopian farming. Mengesha offers extremely good value on his treks, the price of which includes a mule for luggage, the mule driver, a cook, accommodation (in the form of very enjoyable home-stays with the local families) and all the (tasty) food inclusive. The prices are considerably cheaper than the equivalent prices in the Simien mountains, with equal beauty. Honestly I cannot recommend the stay here enough (and will be raving about this to all my friends and family). Can't wait to come back some day! Thank you again, my friend Mengesha!"

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/3727270?location=Lalibela%2C%20Amhara%2C%20Ethiopia&adults=1&children=0&infants=0&guests=1&search_id=c4d52886-4494-4c1b-a138-9daed7736806&federated_search_id=c3fa97f2-7b23-425a-bcca-130b97b00c8f

Travel company

20/02/2019

WELCOME to my homestays and tours page... I host guests in my traditional Ethiopian home in Lalibela and work as a guide for mountain trekking and travel throughout konjo Ethiopia.

For travel advice, bookings, price enquiries, or just to say selam! please send me a direct message via facebook, instagram () or email: [email protected]

Ameseginalehu! Thank you!

Mengesha 🌞