Crater Lakes Day Trip from Addis Ababa to Bishoftu

Five crater lakes and a moonshine tasting an hour outside the capital

A day trip from Addis Ababa to the volcanic crater lakes of Bishoftu combines bird watching, a traditional coffee ceremony, and a boat ride on Kuriftu Lake. The tour visits Bishoftu Lake (90 meters deep), a local homestead where you'll taste areki (homemade alcohol), and Babogaya Lake for bird species. Lunch at Kuriftu Resort is optional and arranged separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bishoftu crater lakes and culture

• Drive from Addis Ababa to Bishoftu
• Visit Bishoftu Lake and local tukul
• Learn and taste homemade moonshine
• Enjoy traditional coffee ceremony
• Walk around Babogaya Lake for bird watching
• Lunch at Kuriftu Resort
• Kayak tour on Kuriftu Lake

The experience

Bishoftu sits 55km from Addis Ababa, about an hour's drive through the landscape that leads toward Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley. The name means "sweetness" in Oromo, and the town is built around five crater lakes formed by volcanic activity. Your guide will meet you in Addis and drive you there in an air-conditioned vehicle, handling the route so you don't need your own transport or local knowledge of the roads.

The tour starts at Bishoftu Lake, the second deepest in Ethiopia at 90 meters, where you'll visit a traditional Tukul homestead to watch how areki (moonshine) is made and taste it straight from the process. After a traditional coffee ceremony, you'll walk around Babogaya Lake, where the bird watching is the main draw: different species show up depending on the season and time of day. The guide will point out what to look for and explain the ecology of the crater system.

Lunch happens at Kuriftu Resort on Kuriftu Lake, where you can order Ethiopian food and book a kayak tour on the water if you want to get out on the lake itself. The resort has restaurants and viewpoints, so you can sit and eat while looking at the water. The boat ride is included in the tour. Lunch is not, so you'll pay separately for what you eat. The whole day runs seven to eight hours from pickup to drop-off back in Addis.

What’s included

• Driver allowance.
• guide services in English or French.
• air-conditioned vehicle and fuel.
• areki process and tasting.
• traditional coffee ceremony.
• boat ride on a volcanic lake.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (7 to 17 years) · Infant (1 to 6 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Addis Authentic Tours

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup in Addis Ababa is included, so you don't need a rental car or taxi negotiation to reach the crater lakes. The fixed route and guide mean you'll learn the history and ecology as you move between stops, rather than driving on your own and guessing what you're looking at.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 17 years); Infant (1 to 6 years).

How deep is Bishoftu Lake and why does it matter for the tour?

Bishoftu Lake is 90 meters deep, making it the second deepest lake in Ethiopia. Its depth is part of what makes it a crater lake, formed by volcanic activity, and the guide will explain the geology as you visit the shore and see the traditional settlements around it.

What is areki and where do I taste it on this tour?

Areki is homemade Ethiopian alcohol, traditionally made in rural areas. You'll visit a local Tukul homestead to watch the process and taste it directly, giving you a hands-on look at how the drink is produced rather than just reading about it.

Can I do a kayak tour on one of the lakes?

Kayaking is available at Kuriftu Resort during the lunch stop, where you can rent a kayak and paddle on Kuriftu Lake. It's optional and arranged separately from the main tour, so you pay for it only if you want to go out on the water.

What birds might I see at Babogaya Lake?

Babogaya Lake attracts different bird species depending on the season. The guide will walk with you around the lake and point out what's visible that day, explaining the species and their habits. Bird watching is best in early morning and late afternoon.

Is the drive from Addis Ababa included, or do I arrange my own transport?

The drive is included. Your guide picks you up in Addis Ababa in an air-conditioned vehicle and handles all the driving to Bishoftu and back. You don't need a car or local knowledge of the route.