Afternoon tour of Bahir Dar includes market and village, papyrus reeds boats, and Bezawit Palace, the Palace of late Emperor Haile Sellassie, from where you can see the out flow of Blue Nile from Lake Tana and the wonderful sun set view with the Blue Nile River. Take and early morning drive to Bahir Dar, founded by the Jesuit settlers in the 16th Century from which the Páez building dates, and it is located on the southern part of Lake Tana. The Blue Nile Falls and the holy Selassie palace are found nearby Bahir Dar, the commercial centre of the Amhara province.
In the afternoon, take a 4-5hours boat trip on Lake Tana which has got an outstanding network of 37 islands scattered over the surface of 3000 sq km. Whilst on the Lake, take a ride through the monastery islands of Zehie, Mahal, Gyorgis, Mehret, Ura Kidane and probably Asua Mariam. Enjoy your dinner and over night at Tana/Papyrus Hotel.
Afternoon tour of Bahir Dar includes market and village, papyrus reeds boats, and Bezawit Palace, the Palace of late Emperor Haile Sellassie, from where you can see the out flow of Blue Nile from Lake Tana and the wonderful sun set view with the Blue Nile River. BAHIR DAR: is located on the southern shores of lake Tana from where excursions by boat can be made to the lake's island and peninsulas and to the "Tissisat Falls." (A spectacular water fall) The Blue Nile draws its strength from the large reservoir, Lake Tana, set at 1,830 m above sea level. The lake includes more than 30 islands and peninsulas, most of which shield ancient monasteries, decorated with wonderful wall paintings from the 12th to the 20th century.
Bahir Dars, an attractive town with tree-lined avenues and the deep blue lake Tana in the background. Lake Tana is Ethiopia's largest lake and is dotted with islands. Many of these islands are the sites of churches and monasteries. After lunch, depart by boat to the Zeghe Peninsula, known for its 14th century, round, grass-roofed churches with their magnificent wall murals. You will visit two, Betra Mariam and Ura Kidane Mehret, walking through dense forest with prolific bird life. Bahir Dar has several clubs and bars where you can enjoy both traditional and modern Ethiopian music and dancing.
The hotel took its name TANA from one of the largest inland lake in Africa (Lake Tana) - the source of the Blue Nile, which contributes 85% of the water of the Nile.
Tana Hotel is on the shore of Lake Tana and close by the Town of Bahir Dar. The hotel buildings beautifully integrated with the tropical vegetation and enchanted with the signs of myriads of birds.
With its exotic gardens, beautiful view of the lake, comfortable rooms and superb cuisine a stop over at Tana will be unforgettable. The total area of the hotels compound is 32,440 sq. meters.
Bahir Dar is a modern small town on the southeastern shore of Lake Tana in the north of Ethiopia. It hosts the fabled Blue Nile falls, the beautiful highland Lake Tana and 14th-century island monastic churches.
Accommodation:
Tana hotel offers four suites and 56 twin bedded rooms furnished with items of traditional and historical motifs. All rooms also offer other amenities such as:
- Baths & Showers
- Satellite TV
- Telephones
Facilities:
Guests can enjoy hotel facilities such as the:
- Restaurant with 137 seats (dining style)
- Bar
- Telephone, television with satellite dish services
- Well-equipped laundry
- Offices and stores
- Shops
- Beautiful garden
- Guest Parking
Location:
- Bahir Dar
- 570 km north west of Addis Ababa
- Very good all weather road
- Newly upgraded airport
Contact Address:
Tana Hotel - Bahir Dar
Tel. +251 582 200554
Fax +251 582 202042
email: ghion@ethionet.et
http://www.ghionhotel.com.et/tana.htm
It lays on a altitude of 1850 metres and has a very nice center with wide lanes, surrounded by palmtrees, lots of gardens and tropical flowers and plant.
From Bahir Dar you have to explore some of the ancient monasteries that have been built around Lake Tana or on the many islands in the lake. There are 37 islands dotted all over the lake and 30 of them house churches and monasteries of great cultural and historical interest. They contain beautiful manuscripts, objects of worship and crosses dating back to the dawn of Christianity.
These include Dek Stephanos, with a good collection of icons, as well as the remains of several medieval emperors, Kebran Gabriel (closed to women), and Ura Kidane Mehret with its famous frescoes.
Population (2006):
Regional (Amhara): 19,120,005
Bahar Dar & its Surroundings: 270,000
Geographical Location:
Altitude: 1,802 m (5,910 ft)
Situated on Lake Tana’s south-eastern shore, it is the starting point of any visit to the Blue Nile Falls