Visitor Center
The visitor center is found in the park office, on the left side of the main road while entering the town. When you arrive at Debark town (2 hrs drive from Gondar), go to the park’s visitor center and obtain information, maps, brochures, local guides, mules for rent, escort gun-men and all available services. Entrance permits and the necessary services are available upon payment of the required fees. The center has also a park office which is responsible for the management, conservation and development activities in the park.
Museum
A cultural museum is currently being constructed near Sanka ber Campsite.
Information leaflet
A handy source of information and map in the form of leaflet and broacher are available at the visitors’ center. There is also a 1:100,000 scale trekking-map with some descriptive information about the physical features, the trails, riding and trekking routes, camping sites… etc. More over, 1 Amharic & 1 English broachers/leaflets are available at the visitor’s center. Read them before you visit the park.
Entrance gate
The entrance gate is located at the ‘Sawrie’ hill, about 8.5 km away from Debark town. However, 5 more km will be left to get inside the park. All visitors to the park must show an official entrance permit on entering the park.
Camping
Camping and overnight stays both inside the park and in the buffer areas are generally restricted to established camp grounds/camping sites. Inside the park, there are 3 well- established campgrounds at Sankaber, Gich, and Chenek (which are run by the park office), 1 private campground at Semien lodge and 3 community owned campsites at Adisgie, Gich and Chenek are available inside the park. For more extensive hiking in the buffer area, particularly in the highlands, 4 campgrounds are also available for tourists at Ambiko, Menta Ber, Arquaziye and Sona. Moreover, along the paths following the foot slopes of the escarpments, and for more extensive hiking in the low lands, a number of camping grounds are available at Adarmaz, Muchila, Dirni, Mekarebya, Muli, Aykotba, Tiya, Amiwalka and Adebabay. Except the Simen lodge all are operated by the park office. Reservations are required especially for Sankaber, Gich, and Chenek and in Simen lodge camping grounds during peak seasons between October to February.
Available services at the main campsites include:
Sankaber Camp site: Situated between the northern escarpment and the southern Wazla ravine, the Sankaber Camp is the best of all camp sites. In addition to the camping ground the camp is equipped with modest infrastructure comprising 1 basic tourist lodge with 18 beds, cooking facilities, tap water, cold shower, toilets… etc.
Gich Camp site: Existing facilities at this camp site include: established camping ground, Tap water, toilet, cooking facilities, horses/mules and 1 community lodge which has its own camping ground.
Chenek Camp site: Facilities include: established camping ground, Tap water, toilet, cooking facilities and 1 community lodge which has its own camping ground.
Lodging
There is Sankaber lodge inside the park. It provides accommodations with beds, cooking facilities, tap water, cold shower, toilets… etc for nearly 20 guests per day. It is advisable to make reservations as far ahead as possible especially in peak times (October – February). There is also Simien lodge (the highest hotel in Africa, at altitude of 10700ft, 3200meteres) outside the park. Services available at Simien lodge include: Accommodation: 3 types of rooms, with fiberglass insulation at floor, ceiling and walls, (each at $150/night for 4persons max., $110/night for 2persons max., $20/night per person),Bar and restaurant: with both foreign and traditional meals, Hiring cook ($4 per 4 persons), Guide mules and horses ($3 per day) persons. Making reservation is essential.
Hotels and Lodges
Hotels in Bahir Dar Town
Papyrus Hotel
Tel. +251-58-2205100; Fax. +251-58-2204057; P.O.Box. 222; Kebele 17
Goods and Services: Laundry, Swimming pool, Satellite Dish, Hall, Souvenir Shop, Internet
Dib Anbessa Hotel
Tel. +251-58-2201436 ; Fax. +251-58-2201818; P.O.Box. 982; Kebele 5
Goods and Services: Satellite Dish, Hall, Souvenir Shop, Beauty Salon, Internet
Giyon Hotel
Tel. +251-58-2200100; Fax. +251-58-2200303; P.O.Box. 5; Kebele 3
Goods and Services: Laundry, Satellite Dish, Hall, Souvenir Shop, Beauty Salon, Internet
Ethio-Star Hotel
Tel. +251-58-2202026; Fax. ___ ; P.O.Box. 531; Kebele 1
Goods and Services: Satellite Dish, Hall, Souvenir Shop, Beauty Salon, Internet
Summarland Hotel
Tel. +251-58-2206566; Fax. ___ ; P.O.Box. ___; Kebele 5
Goods and Services: Laundry, Satellite Dish, Hall, Souvenir Shop, Internet
Tana Hotel
Tel. +251-58-2200554; Fax.+251-58-82202042; P.O.Box. 78; Kebele 10;
Goods and Services: Laundry, Satellite Dish, Hall, Souvenir Shop, Internet
Hotels in Gonder Town
Goha Hotel
Tel. +251-58-1110634; Fax.+251-58-1111920; P.O.Box. 182; Kebele 1
Goods and Services: ______
Quara Hotel
Tel. +251-58-1110040; Fax.___; P.O.Box. __; Kebele 2
Goods and Services: ______
Circle Hotel
Tel. +251-58-1111991; Fax.___ ; P.O.Box. 929; Kebele 12
Goods and Services: ______
Ambaras Hotel
Tel. +251-58-1111181; Fax.___ P.O.Box. ____; Kebele 14
Goods and Services: ______
