Private Tour

2 Days Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes Tour from Addis Ababa

Overview

Available languages

German

English

French

48 hours

Mobile ticket

Enjoy the freedom of stopping at different viewpoints to enjoy the dramatic view of the Ethiopian part of the Great East African Rift Valley by drive with a comfortable air conditioned Toyota Minivan, and learn from your professional experienced English speaking tour guide of the Ethiopian birdlife at the Rift Valley Lake of Ziway.

Meet local families and partake a typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, and see the bird life of the lakes and wildlife of the Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park.

The tour also includes visiting the unique and still operational rock carved church of Adadi Mariam, Tiya Steles (a cemetery dating back to 12th – 14th Century AD and UNESCO World Heritage Site), and walking by Lake Ziway to spot a number of lowland water birds. The tour includes a total of 580 km drive in two days.

On Thursdays or Sundays, experience local culture at the colorful weekly held cultural market at Adadi town.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

June to Mid September is the rainy season where the tour runs. Please be prepared accordingly.

When visiting the rock church of Adadi Mariam, women are expected to be fully dressed and cover hairs.

We can help visitors book accommodations, if needed. Please contact us!

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Professional and experienced English speaking tour guide

Bottled water in the vehicle

Local family visits, Cultural Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, onsite tour guides, and park scouts

Fuel surcharge

Comfortable insured private Toyota Corolla (1 or 2 people) or Minivan with AC and seat belts

Entrance (admission) fees to places of visits

Accommodations

Meals

And, any expense which are not mentioned in the "Included" list above

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Day 1

Addis Ababa – Adadi Maryam - Tiya World Heritage Site – Lake Ziway – Awassa

Tiya World Heritage Site

Take a guided tour visit the incredible stone grave markers at Tiya. The Steles of Tiya is one of Ethiopia’s sites listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here you will visit beautiful carved stone grave markers erected between the 12th and 14th Century AD in honor of important local heroes (warriors).

1 hour • Admission Not Included

Butajira

Stop at a couple of outlooks for the picturesque scenery of the Ethiopian part of the Great East African Rift Valley. You will also visit one of the villages of the local people of Silte for cultural experience.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Lake Ziway

Spot Ethiopian Lowland water birds by walking by the shores of the Rift Valley Lake of Ziway to see families of hippos (if lucky) and a number of birds such as Great white pelicans, Marabou Storks, African Fish Eagle, Sacred Ibis, Hammer Kops, etc Finally, drive 115 km south to the Rift Valley Lake of Awassa. If the weather is good, enjoy the beautiful sun set over the lake.

1 hour • Admission Included

Melka Kunture

Visit Melka Kunture archaeological site to learn about humanity's evolutionary story. Set by the Awash River, visit Melka Kunture’s Museum to step back 1.8 million years. Discover stone tools from Homo erectus, witness fossilized footprints, & visit an open-air 800,000 years old butchery site.

40 minutes • Admission Not Included

Day 2

Awassa Lake – Abidjatta Shalla Lakes National Park – Lake Ziway – Addis Ababa

Fish Market at Awassa Lake

After breakfast head to Amora Gedel found by the shores of Lake Awassa. It is where locals come to have breakfast of fresh catch Tilapia fish and spot a number of birds gathered looking for leftover fish. Here you will see the rare Colobus Monkey (Black and White Monkey).

2 hours • Admission Included

Abidjatta-Shalla National Park

Then, head north to the Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park with a stop at Shashemene to visit the Jamaican Rastafarian Community. At Abiyatta Shalla Lakes NP walk for half an hour to see Ostriches, Gazelles, Warthogs, and different lowland bird species. If the weather is good (September – June), continue driving farther to visit the Natural Hot Spring waters where locals use the waters to get healed from skin diseases.

3 hours • Admission Not Included

Visit to visit the Jamaican Rastafarian Community at Shashemene town for about 1 hour. Learn about the backgrounds of the Rastafarianism beliefs and how they are connected with Emperor Haile Sillassie I.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Bishoftu

Stop at one of the crater lakes of Bishoftu (Debre Ziet) which is notable for its scenic beauty. You will also visit a village of the Oromo people to attend a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony with locals.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

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