Yes, if it exists!
I've sent a message via the link Jo mentions, though I can't find anything on Google.
Hi Richard,
I have done further extensive research.
Like you, I am unable to find the " Top View" hotel on Google, or any hotel in Debre Libanos with the word " View" in the name. I did find a photograph of the Top View Hotel, from 2013, which seems mainly a picture of a canopy type tower,but no information about the hotel. The ground agents may be able to shed much more light.....
It seems that a lot of tour companies covering visiting the Geladas , do so by a day tour from Addis. The ground agent that Mark ( MRAK) travelled through returned to Addis on the same day.
The Trip Advisor reviews paint a dire picture of the Ethio German Hotel, re staying there. As I said up thread, no running water, incidents of food poisoning, no ability to shower, very dusty rooms , uncomfortable beds , dirty bed linen. Jo's posting suggests it is no longer open. If it is, it only seems good to stop for a bottled drink there.
I haven't been able to ascertain much about the behaviour patterns of the geladas. I realise that one can't dictate how animals behave. If they are only around the hotels at 10am , the timing seems too tight.
Looking at alternatives- is it possible to switch the trip itinerary order, so that the geladas are done at the end of the trip ? This would allow a stay in Lemi the night before, then getting to the Jemma escarpment for Dawn for the francolins and then going on to Debre Libanos for the geladas and the birds around that area ? This would avoid back tracking from Lemi, back to the geladas, which logitistically seems problematical.
Of course if the geladas are around Debre Libanos for most of the day or later in the day, rather than just at c 10 am, then the problem is averted and birding en route to DL, with stops in the Sultata plains, as planned in our itinerary, is practical and achievable .
Another alternative would be to stay the night before departing on the main tour in Addis. This would then allow an earlier departure from Addis, the next day, if one needs to be at the geladas by 10am. This may well impact on flights taken though.
Just some suggestions .....
Best regards, Carol