Doho Lodge

Mineral-rich water flows into the natural hot-spring lake that fronts Doho Lodge, warm enough to swim year-round. The property opened in 2006 on the park boundary, 22 km from Awash Sebat via a shortcut road through acacia and palm forest. Rooms and suites face the lake or garden; each has a private bathroom. Safari tents pitch in three sites: the lodge compound, the old hot spring inside Awash National Park, and Allideghe-Assebot Park. A tree bar lifts guests into the canopy for sundowners above the water. You can watch hyenas and warthogs from the lodge perimeter after dark—the viewing area sits half a kilometre from the main buildings. Game drives cross 45 to 60 km into Allideghe-Assebot and Awash parks for Grevy's zebra, oryx, lesser kudu, and Salt's dik-dik; over 450 bird species recorded in the parks include ostriches, secretary birds, and Arabian bustards. Nile crocodiles gather along the Awash River near the falls, a one-hour drive from the lodge. Guides lead treks through the surrounding bush and village visits to Afar and Kereyu communities. Bush breakfasts unfold at preset sites after morning game viewing. The restaurant overlooks the lake and serves western and Ethiopian dishes; barbecue tibis—roasted veal or goat—comes with soup. A second dining option places tables in the bush under lanterns. Boat rowing crosses the hot-spring lake in manual craft. Check-in opens at 5 PM; departure is 11 AM.