Duration
5-Day
Lake Ziway, Ethiopia
5-Day Community Hiking in Ethiopia's Green Gurage Zone
Overview
Discover the hidden green highlands west of Addis Ababa and enjoy easy hiking routes through the local Gurage villages while learning about their unique lifestyle, culture and food. A real adventure off the beaten track awaits you there, where the fields, forests and hills are green all year around. Besides the impressive nature, the Gurage people living in their small neat villages are one of the most hospitable of the whole country.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa
Via Wenchi Crater Lake, Gurage (Area), Lake Ziway
Country & park
Ethiopia / Lake Ziway
Style
Safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
6 years
Activities
Getting around: minivan & normal 4x4 vehicle
Accommodation
Negash Resort - Mid-range hotel in Waliso (Town) – Lunch & Dinner Included
Meals
Lunch & Dinner Included; All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
Rates Per Person
USD
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
$2,134 USD
$1,287 USD
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
$2,134 USD
$1,287 USD
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour accepts children who are 6 years and older. Children under 16 receive a discount.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Ethiopia
Start
Addis Ababa (Day 1)
Day 1
Wenchi Crater Lake
Day 2-3
Gurage (Area)
Day 4
Lake Ziway
End
Addis Ababa (Day 5)
Tour Features
Budget tour
This budget tour includes camping and hotels.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
6
Minimum age of 6 years
The minimum age for this tour is 6 years.
Activities & Transportation
Getting around: minivan & normal 4x4 vehicle
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Negash Resort
Mid-range hotel in Waliso (Town) – Lunch & Dinner Included
Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 2-3
Budget camping Gurage (Area) – All Meals Included
Gurage (Area) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 4
Haile Resort Ziway
Mid-range hotel at Lake Ziway – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Drive West to the extinct volcano Wenchi
In the morning your driver meets you at your appointed place in Addis Ababa and you drive to Wenchi Crater Lake. Depending on the fitness and interest you can pick a route of one to five hours of hiking. Take this chance to decide with your local guide which hiking route is best for you as there are easy and flatter trails along the crater rim and more challenging and steeper ones down into the crater or even surrounding the lake. Locals provide also horses to do some parts on the horse back. In case you decide for the longer hike, the route back to the car takes you through a breath-taking green valley with lots of water streams and hot springs. After your visit your driver will bring you to Negash Resort in Wolisso for your overnight stay. The beautiful garden, the unique structure of rooms which represent most of the ethnicities and the indoor and outdoor hot spring swimming pools are good plus to enjoy the evening and night. Mid-range hotel located in Waliso (Town) Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Wenchi Crater Lake Stay: Negash Resort Mid-range hotel located in Waliso (Town) Meals: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
Continue westwards into the green Gurage highlands
Driving from Woliso to Gurage will take you about 2 hours. Through passing the towns Welkite and Gubrie we will drive up to the highland of Gurage. You'll start hiking in the beautiful and breath taking villages and landscape of Gurage. Our destination for today, after hiking 2 to 3 hours, is a campsite in a rural area close to a forest ad waterfall. In our campsite fresh and delicious dishes will be served as soon as you arrive. First night in the tent. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Gurage (Area) Stay: Budget camping Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Full day hiking past waterfalls and local villages
After breakfast we hike further eastwards, witnessing closely the traditional way of life of the Gurage ethnic group. It's yet another spectacular journey for nature lover. The evergreen hills, the beautiful rivers, the traditional godjo houses in every village and the morning smile of Gurage people are all in one pack ahead of us. Upon arrival in our next host community, you'll have some time to relax, then have dinner and the second night in a tent at a local family's property. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Gurage (Area) Stay: Budget camping Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Last half day trek to reach the road and drive into the Rift Valley
Today you will be crossing a green valley and climbing a few 100m uphill on the other side where the vehicle is waiting. Drive down into the Rift Valley to Ziway (2.5 hours). Then driving to Ziway will open another spectacular adventure in the Great African Rift Valley of Ethiopia. We have an option to explore the beauty of one of the lake in the valley during a relaxed walk along the newly built shore promenade. Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ziway All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lake Ziway Stay: Haile Resort Ziway Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ziway Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
Relax on the Rift Valley lake and head back to Addis Ababa
Relax and rest in the morning after the hiking adventure. In the late morning, through a boat tour we will witness closely the diversified birdlife and spot some hippos. If you like, you can try some fresh fish for lunch and then return to Addis Ababa through the newly built express way (approx. 3 hours). Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: No major destination visited Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
Camping equipment
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Sleeping bag
Bath towels
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
Fly to/from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
SimienEcoTours
5.0 operator rating
46 reviews
We organise individual & group tours through whole Ethiopia in an ecologically & socially responsible & sustainable way. The founders of SimienEcoTours are manager Marco from Italy, who currently lives in Addis Ababa, Franziska from Germany, who lived in Ethiopia for more than 7 years, and Birhan, Tadele, Yirga and Solomon, four experienced Ethiopian tour guides. What brought us together is our social and ecological commitment in Ethiopia as well as our love for this country.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
10-20 employees (Founded in 2014)
Tour Types
Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
Destinations
Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Very well organized tour !
Best way of visiting Ethiopia is a Tour organized by Simien Eco Tours. Our guide, David, spoke good French and was able to give us all explanations of the places we’ve been visiting.
Sandra · France
Meeting communities in harmony with nature.
I went on a 4 day trip with SimienEcoTours to the Guge Mountain near to Arba Minch. It was such a unique experience. Meeting communities on the way to the top, eating and participating in daily lifestyle and routines, crossing agricultural land in perfect harmony with nature and being accompanied by kind, knowledgeable, sensitive, amazing guides. It was a one-kind experience. My heartfelt thanks !! I will carry the memories fondly with me.
Bärbel · Netherlands
Experience Ethiopia's peoples
I had the pleasure of going on a group trip to southern Ethiopia in February and it was simply unforgettable! The insights into the lives of Ethiopians were impressive and gave me a whole new perspective on this wonderful country. The trekking tours through the remote villages allowed us to experience the incredible diversity and warm hospitality of the people at first hand. Every day was a new adventure and I am grateful for the many wonderful memories I was able to take home with me. Special thanks go to our guide Abebe, who inspired us with his knowledge and passion for the country. The entire team - from the cook to the driver - also did a great job and made sure that we felt comfortable and well looked after at all times. A big thank you also to Marco for organizing this fantastic trip. I highly recommend this experience!
Sandra · Germany
The best experience
Excellent expérience. Well balance itinerary. Reliable hotels. Most of all an outstanding guide who lead the entier trip
Frédéric Jochem · United States
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
Can children join this tour?
This tour accepts children who are 6 years and older. Children under 16 receive a discount.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Negash Resort - Mid-range hotel in Waliso (Town) – Lunch & Dinner Included. Meals: Lunch & Dinner Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by SimienEcoTours, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of SimienEcoTours.
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