Breathtaking Nature, Wildlife and Cave Church Tour - Free Pickups

4.8
(237 reviews)

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7 to 8 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 3 more

On this popular road trip, you will pass through beautiful countryside scenery and the real Ethiopian way of life in action - farmers, rural communities, towns cut off from each other. At the destinations, you will visit the ancient Debre Libanos Monastery (and its cave church), the famed ‘Portuguese Bridge’ built in the 1890s, the Nile Gorge with its abundant endemic birdlife and gelada baboons and enjoy a view of Addis Ababa from a viewpoint set at 3,300 meters above sea level (Entoto Mountain).

Please note spotting the Gelada Baboons can be a matter of luck, as they live in an open park.

What's Included

Local guides
Ground transportation including a car, fuel and a driver
Pickup and dropoff at any location in Addis Ababa (either Hotel or Airport)
Lunch, including a bottle of water and hot drinks
Museum and Church Entrance Fees
Accompanying English speaking tour guide
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Flexible pickup from anywhere in Addis Ababa, including Bole Airport, any hotels or home addresses

OR
Meeting point
Edna Mall
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 7 to 8 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Debre Libanos Orthodox Church

    Founded by Ethiopian Saint Abune Tekle Haymanot, within a steep riverine canyon in 1284, Debre Libanos later became the political centre of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and is where Emperor Lebna Dengal received the first Portuguese mission to Ethiopia in 1520. The Italian army destroyed the original church in a 1937 massacre that claimed the lives of 800 monks, deacons and lay worshippers. The modern church, its domed roof decorated with stained-glass windows, remains an important pilgrimage site.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 2
    Portuguese Bridge

    Although the locals believe the stone-arch Portuguese bridge was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it was actually built in the 1890s by Ras Darge in the old Portuguese style. The narrow span makes a spectacular picture and the gushing (in the rainy season) cascade just below it is very impressive.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Debre Libanos Orthodox Church

    You will see the Jemma River Gorge, which is the stating point for the African Great Rift Valley and is one of Ethiopia’s most dramatic stretches of road that starts its serpentine descent to the bottom of the Blue Nile Gorge, 1km below. The gorge is accessed by a road that offers spectacular views, and a pair of bridges cross the river.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 4
    Entoto Maryam Church

    You will drive by the historic Entoto Church, which in its compound has the first church in/around Addis Ababa. It is a tranquil church with typical ancient architecture of Ethiopian Churches.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 5
    Mount Entoto

    Entoto is where Addis Ababa was first established. From almost 3,300 meters altitude, the Hill provides a spectacular views of the vast parts of Addis Ababa.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Minimum age is 7 years
Supplied by myGuzo

Tags

Day Trips
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Involves Animals
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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Rating

4.8 Based on 237 237 reviews
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