Debrelibanos & Jemma Valley day trip from Addis Ababa

Gelada baboons live on the cliffs you'll hike past in the Jemma valley.

A tailor-made day trip from Addis Ababa to Debrelibanos monastery and the Jemma valley, built around your own interests, whether bird watching, hiking or landscape photography. The itinerary centers on a long hike through the valley where you'll encounter Gelada baboons and Ethiopian endemic birds, visit a 16th-century Portuguese bridge still in use, see monastery manuscripts and ancient bibles, and end with a sunset view of Addis Ababa from Mount Entoto. Private transportation, a live English-speaking guide and all entrance fees are included. Lunch is on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Debrelibanos and Jemma Valley

• Visit monastery museum and ancient manuscripts
• Cross historic 16th-century Portuguese bridge
• Hike Jemma Valley and view cliff scenery
• Observe Gelada baboons and Ethiopian birds
• Lunch at Ethio German restaurant with view
• Drive through Entoto mountain park
• Watch sunset over Addis Ababa
• Drop off at chosen place in Addis Ababa

The experience

You start from your hotel in Addis Ababa and travel to Debrelibanos, where the day builds around what matters to you. The operator designs each tour to match your interests. If you want to focus on birds, the route follows birding sites. If hiking and landscape draw you, the pace and stops shift to suit that. This flexibility is the core of how the tour works, not an add-on.

The physical heart of the day is a long hike through the Jemma valley. Along the way you'll see Gelada baboons on the cliff faces and spot different species of Ethiopian endemic birds. You'll visit the monastery museum, which holds ancient heritages, manuscripts and old bibles used by the monks. A 16th-century bridge (originally built by Portuguese missionaries and rebuilt in 1890 by Ras Darge) still carries local people across the Jemma river, and you'll cross it as part of the route. After the hike, you stop at the Ethio German restaurant positioned on the cliff edge to eat lunch (your own cost) while looking out over the valley.

On the return to Addis Ababa, the driver takes you through Mount Entoto park to catch the sunset and see the city spread below. You're dropped at your chosen location in Addis Ababa. The full day runs between five and nine hours depending on your pace and which sites you linger at: another way the tour adapts to what you want from it.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel in Addis Ababa.
• a live English-speaking guide who tailors the route to your interests.
• entrance fees for all sites including the monastery museum and valley access.
• a stop at the Ethio German restaurant with valley views (meals are separate).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 to 65 years) · Under 13: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by A one Ethiopia Tours

Is this one for you?The tour is led in English by a live guide, so you'll follow the commentary comfortably if that's your language. The long hike through the valley and the physical demands of the terrain suit travelers with at least moderate fitness. Those with spinal injuries, pregnancy or cardiovascular concerns should discuss the itinerary with the operator before booking.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Gelada baboon and where do I see it on this tour?

Gelada baboons are Ethiopian endemic mammals that live on the cliff faces of the Jemma valley. You'll encounter them during the long hike through the valley as part of the day's main route, not as a separate detour.

How long is the hike through Jemma valley?

The hike is described as long, and the overall day runs five to nine hours depending on your pace and interests. The operator adjusts the timing based on whether you're focused on bird watching, landscape, or a mix of both.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. You'll eat at the Ethio German restaurant on the cliff overlooking the valley, and you pay for your meal there.

What's the 16th-century bridge I'll visit?

The bridge crosses the Jemma river and was originally built in the 16th century by Portuguese missionaries. It was renewed in 1890 by Ras Darge and is still used by local people to cross the river. You'll walk it as part of the valley hike.

What does the monastery museum contain?

The Debrelibanos monastery museum holds ancient heritages used by the monastery, along with manuscripts and ancient bibles. You'll visit it early in the day before heading out to the valley.

What happens at Mount Entoto on the way back?

On the return drive to Addis Ababa, you pass through Mount Entoto park to see a panoramic view of the city and watch the sunset before being dropped at your chosen location.