Addis Ababa: 5-Day Guided Tour with Lake Ziway Boat Trip

Discover the highlights of Ethiopia on a 5-day guided tour from Addis Ababa. Visit the Entoto Maryam Church, the National Museum, and the Menagesha National Forest.
Day 1: Addis Ababa

Start your journey by looking down on Addis Ababa from Entoto Mountain, the capital of Ethiopia before Addis Ababa. Enjoy panoramic views of the city with fresh air from the eucalyptus forests. Visit the Entoto Maryam Church and museum.

After the visit, proceed down to Addis Ababa via Shiro Meda, the city’s largest market for traditional clothes. Head to the campus of Addis Ababa University to the ethnographical museum, with great displays of the many cultures of Ethiopia, housed in the former palace of Haile Selassie.

Continue with a visit to the National Museum, where Ethiopia’s oldest resident, Lucy, is housed. Close to the National Museum is the Selassie (Trinity) Church, one of the most important churches of Addis Ababa and the final resting place of Haile Selassie, to whom there is a dedicated museum on site. Finish the day with shopping in Merkato, the local marketplace which is said to be Africa’s largest open-air market.

Day 2: Lake Wenchi

Depart early in the morning to Lake Wenchi. Enjoy horseback riding or hiking around this stunning crater lake and/or a boat trip on the lake to visit the island monastery of Cherkos and the hot springs. Overnight in Woliso (lodge).

Day 3: Menagesha National Forest

After breakfast, drive to the Menagesha National Forest for some hiking. Enjoy the wildlife, such as the colobus monkeys and endemic Menelik’s bushbuck, as well as birds, including the endemic Ethiopian oriole and Abyssinian woodpecker. Overnight in Menagesha Forest camping.

Day 4: Tiya, Adadi Maryam, and Lake Langano

Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira. On the way, visit the archeological sites of Tiya (ancient stelae field and UNESCO World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela), and Melk Kunture (pre-historic tool-making site). Final destination for the day is Lake Langano. Overnight in Lake Langano (camping or lodge).

Day 5: Lake Ziway and Return to Addis Ababa

Depart early in the morning from Lake Langano for a short trip north to Lake Ziway. After a brief morning hike, take a boat trip on Lake Ziway to the island of Tullo Gudo. The island hosts the church of Maryam Tsion which, according to tradition, once housed the Ark of the Covenant to hide it from invaders. After the visit, return to shore, enjoying the bountiful birdlife on this lake and possibly some hippos. Return to Addis Ababa in the late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a memorable farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant with music and dance.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.