Mulu Eco Lodge conservation project in the Choke Mountains, Ethiopia

Welcome to the Choke Mountains, more than 3,000 meters above sea level near the source of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia. At our small eco lodge, culture, nature and local community are closely connected. Mulu Eco Lodge and its NGO work with highland farmers to develop low impact eco tourism and community projects that can reduce rural exodus and protect this unique landscape.

Staying at Mulu is a genuine experience of Ethiopian highland life and at the same time a contribution to preserving local jobs, cultural heritage and the mountain environment.

Land and project description

Like most farms in the area, our land has no direct electricity or piped water. The nearest village, about 2 km away, has a simple electricity line but also no water connection. Farmers still cultivate their fields with oxen and traditional ploughs. There is a lot of ancient knowledge on how to live off grid and manage soil and water with very few resources. Together with your ideas, we try to combine this wisdom with modern off grid and regenerative systems so that everyone can benefit and learn from each other.

Who we are looking for

We welcome volunteers who share our values and are motivated to turn ideas into real, practical projects. Experience in one of the topics below is helpful but not essential if you are curious, independent and ready to live simply in the mountains. Some projects may need specific tools or materials such as water pumps or filters. In these cases we discuss options with you in advance, including bringing small items in your luggage or helping with fundraising for materials.

Volunteering activities

Our eco project in Ethiopia offers several directions. Depending on the season, your skills and current needs, you might help with:

• English or sports lessons for farmers’ children and youth.
• Building and improving the community house.
• Supporting the organisation or extension of the elementary school.
• Cooking and sharing new, healthy recipes that include more fresh vegetables.
• Biogas experiments as an alternative to firewood and a model for local farms.
• Planning simple water pumping systems from the river, around 80 meters below the lodge.
• Designing and testing water cleaning and basic wastewater management solutions.
• Clay and earthen building techniques: improving cob houses and trying methods that use less wood, for example with tyres, sandbags or sun dried bricks.

• Researching or building rocket mass heaters for warmer and cleaner homes.
• Supporting permaculture,
  food forest and
  organic gardening activities.
• Bamboo construction and furniture: there is a lot of bamboo in the area and local handcraft skills. We are happy to exchange knowledge and use bamboo, for example, for school furniture.
• Compost toilets for the school and community house.

In short, we need creativity, practical skills and open minds.

If you have your own project idea that fits our concept, we are very happy to discuss and possibly implement it together.

Schedules, length of stay and any contributions for food or accommodation may change over time, so please contact Mulu Eco Lodge directly for the latest information before planning your trip.

Mulu Eco Lodge volunteer project in Ethiopia

Please note: This volunteer project listing may be outdated. Information regarding availability, dates, tasks, and requirements might no longer be accurate. We recommend contacting the hosts directly to confirm the project’s current status.