Babogaya Lake Viewpoint Lodge

This lodge came highly recommended by a friend who had been working in Ethiopia. After a brief conversation with Jan, the owner, I decided to book a two-night stay. Jan also suggested an excellent and friendly driver who picked me up in Addis and returned me for a very reasonable price. Jan and the entire staff are incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful. The view from the common area is breathtaking, and the rooms and amenities lived up to the promises and images on the website. My room was impeccably clean, the Wi-Fi worked well, and one could order drinks and food throughout the day. Jan is also available to assist in organizing trips to other lakes.

It is subpar establishment at a great location. The view is to die for but that feeling is quickly dampened by the lack of facilities in the establishment which are available even in the most average hotels in Ethiopia these days. But aside all that, my visit was most memorable for the terrible and shocking incident that happened. I visited the establishment to do a marriage proposal because of the view and even though I planned to do it at a terrace of a room initially, I discussed with the staff, later, and asked if it was ok to do that at the common area as it had a more spectacular view of the lake. The staff was more than accommodating and gave me the go ahead. But once the crew got there and did the set up to make an already beautiful view breathtaking, they were told to dismantle everything, even though they insisted me and my lady were almost there and there was no time to redo anything. Over the phone, I could hear all the shouting and, in my opinion, rude treatment they received while their work was being dismantled. I arrived to a dismantled set up and a shocked crew ,including the visibly pregnant main small local business owner doing the main décor, sitting on chairs after they witnessed all the shouting and an aggressive encounter and after everything they set up for two hours was all in vain. I had to rush to do a set up in the terrace of the room, mostly myself, as the people were exhausted from the first set up which took them two hours. In the end, I had to pay the crew for their initial work even though I was not able to use it, plus extra because I felt so bad about what happened. I had to throw a last minute thing in twenty minutes on the terrace of a room and go ahead with the event because it was too late to postpone it. I don’t know if we were treated this way as a separate incident, because we are locals or everyone is treated in such manner, but it is completely unacceptable and the incident has tainted what was supposed to be a magical moment for me and my fiancé forever. In the end if you are looking for a spectacular view with a relatively reasonably priced establishment but don’t mind the poor facilities, then this may be a place to check out. It could also be a good spot to check out some birds. I personally will not be going back again.

Mr. Yan and his staff were exceptional. The lodge is eco friendly and rejuvenating. I will be back again.