Day trip to Debre Zeit crater lakes from Addis Ababa
Crater lakes and a boat ride an hour from the city
A day trip from Addis Ababa to Debre Zeit combines three crater lakes with a boat trip, guide and lunch in six hours. You'll see Crater Lake Bishoftu from the rim and take a boat across its water, walk the vegetated slopes of Lake Hora, and visit Lake Babogaya, with pickup from your hotel or Bole International Airport included.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Visit crater lakes near Debre Zeit
- Pick up at airport or hotel
- Drive from Addis Ababa to Debre Zeit
- Visit the Crater Lake of Bishoftu
- Visit Lake Hora and explore footpath
- Visit Lake Babogaya
The experience
The drive from Addis Ababa to Debre Zeit takes under an hour, and the town sits at the heart of Ethiopia's crater lake country. Crater Lake Bishoftu is the second-deepest lake in Ethiopia, and the best view comes from the crater rim at one of the hotels overlooking the water. A boat trip takes you out onto the lake itself. Lake Hora lies just north of town and is ringed by lush vegetation and birdlife. A footpath runs around it, though the walk is best done with your guide rather than alone. Lake Babogaya rounds out the three.
Your guide speaks English or German and travels with you for the full six hours. The itinerary includes Ethiopian coffee, a boat trip on Crater Lake Bishoftu, lunch, and a bottle of water. Pickup happens at your hotel or at Bole International Airport, so you don't arrange transport into town first. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children.
What’s included
Your guide, hotel or airport pickup, transportation to and from Debre Zeit, a boat trip on Crater Lake Bishoftu, Ethiopian coffee, lunch and a bottle of water are all included.
Before you book
Prices and times updated today
Operated by Enat Ethiopia Tours
Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Addis Ababa and want a guided lake visit in one afternoon: the shared format and included transport mean you travel with other guests rather than arranging your own way out.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and German.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 10 years); Child (5 to 6 years); Infant (under 5).
What is Crater Lake Bishoftu actually like when you get there?
Crater Lake Bishoftu is the second-deepest lake in Ethiopia and sits inside a volcanic crater. The rim offers views across the water, and you'll take a boat trip out onto the lake itself to experience it from the water rather than just from the shore.
Can you walk around Lake Hora on your own, or does the guide stay with you?
Lake Hora has a footpath around it, but your guide will walk with you rather than leaving you to explore alone. Theft is a concern in the area, so the guide's presence matters for safety.
How much of the day does the drive take up?
The drive from Addis Ababa to Debre Zeit is short, under an hour each way, so most of your six hours on the tour is spent at the lakes themselves rather than in the vehicle.
Does the tour include lunch, or do you need to arrange food separately?
Lunch is included in the tour price, along with Ethiopian coffee and a bottle of water, so you don't need to budget for meals during the day.
Day trip to Debre Zeit crater lakes from Addis Ababa
6h · EN · DE
from US$ 100 per person
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