Debrelibanos Portuguese Bridge day tour from Addis Ababa

Walk to a 17th-century bridge and watch the Jemma River cascade below

A full-day tour from Addis Ababa to Debrelibanos Monastery, a 13th-century center of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity 100 km outside the city, with private transport and an English-speaking guide. You'll descend into the Jemma River gorge to reach the Portuguese Bridge, see Galada baboons on the cliffs, photograph the waterfall, eat lunch overlooking the valley, and drive through rural villages and the Entoto Mountains on the return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Debrelibanos Monastery and surroundings

• Explore Debrelibanos Monastery
• Visit cave of Saint Teklehaimanot
• Walk to 17th century Portuguese Bridge
• View waterfall at Portuguese Bridge
• Observe Gelada baboons near cliffs
• See Jemma River valley views
• Drive through rural villages and countryside

The experience

The Portuguese Bridge is the centerpiece: a 17th-century structure built low across the Jemma River, one of the Blue Nile's tributaries, with a waterfall dropping just beyond it. The walk down into the gorge takes you past Galada baboons, endemic to the Ethiopian highlands, and the landscape opens up to views of the entire valley. Photography stops are built into the route, and you'll have time to linger at the viewpoints.

Debrelibanos Monastery itself sits on the cliff edge, founded in the 13th century by the mystic St. Teklehaimanot. You'll visit the attached museum and see the cave where the saint prayed, then spend roughly two hours at the site before heading down to the bridge. Lunch happens at a restaurant positioned above the Jemma River Gorge, so the meal comes with the same views you came to see. On the return drive, the route passes through the Entoto Mountains if time and interest allow, and you'll pass through rural villages with traditional grass-roof houses and mountain countryside.

The tour runs eight hours total, with pickup from your Addis Ababa hotel in the morning and drop-off back there at the end. An air-conditioned vehicle and a driver-guide come with the booking, so navigation and logistics are handled. The guide speaks English and can answer questions about the monastery's history, the river system, and the wildlife you encounter.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• local driver-guide.
• all entrance fees and taxes.
• lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Jemma River Gorge.
• photography stops and free time at each major site.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (56 to 60 years) · Senior (66 to 75 years) · Youth (10 to 14 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish

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 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by On the go Ethiopia Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you'll hear the history of the monastery and the gorge as you move through the day. Children from age five are welcome, and the pace includes rest stops and viewpoint time, though the walk down to the Portuguese Bridge and back up requires a moderate level of fitness.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 14 years); Child (5 to 9 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Portuguese Bridge and why is it worth the walk down into the gorge?

The Portuguese Bridge is a 17th-century stone structure that crosses the Jemma River, one of the Blue Nile's tributaries, and sits just above a waterfall. The walk down into the gorge gives you views of the entire Jemma valley and brings you close to Galada baboons on the cliffs. The waterfall and the bridge together make it a strong photography stop.

Will I see wildlife on this tour?

Galada baboons are endemic to the Ethiopian highlands and commonly spotted on the cliffs around Debrelibanos and along the gorge. The tour also passes through rural countryside where you may see other birds and mammals, though wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

How much time do I spend at Debrelibanos Monastery itself?

You'll spend roughly two hours at the monastery, which includes time to visit the museum and the cave where St. Teklehaimanot prayed in the 13th century.

What happens on the drive back to Addis Ababa?

The return takes about two hours and includes a stop at a good viewpoint for photos and time for coffee in the countryside. The drive through the Entoto Mountains is optional and depends on how much time remains and your interest in that part of the route.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is included at a restaurant positioned above the Jemma River Gorge, so you eat with views of the valley and the landscape you came to see.