Lake Ziway, Ethiopia

5-Day Community Hiking in Ethiopia's Greengurage Zone

4.6 / 5 · 42 reviews Offered by Ethio Backpacker Tours 5-Day

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

Tour details

Duration

5-Day

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

1 years

Activities

game drives

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 $1,980 USD $1,980 USD

Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027 $1,980 USD $1,980 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 1 year and older.

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

Request a Quote

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.

Minimum age of 1 year

The minimum age for this tour is 1 year.

Activities & Transportation

Activities: game drives

Game drives: normal 4x4 vehicle

Getting around: minivan & normal 4x4 vehicle

Book your own international flights when using this operator

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

(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) Drinks not included

Destination: Wenchi Crater Lake Stay: Negash Resort Mid-range hotel located in Waliso (Town) Meals: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinks not included

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. Game drives. All meals included Drinks not included

Destination: Gurage (Area) Stay: Budget camping Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

Day 3

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 Drinks not included

Destination: Gurage (Area) Stay: Budget camping Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

Day 4

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 Drinks not included

Destination: Lake Ziway Stay: Haile Resort Ziway Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ziway Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

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) Drinks not included

Destination: No major destination visited Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinks not included

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)

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

Drinks

Getting There

This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa

Book your own international flights when using this operator

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

Ethio Backpacker Tours

4.6 operator rating 42 reviews

Ethio Backpacker Tours has established by young tourism professionals Gashaw Takele (CEO) who have excellent occurrence over decades.

Office In

Ethiopia

Size

10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)

Member Of

ASTA & ITAT

Tour Types

Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)

Destinations

Ethiopia

View operator profile

Traveler feedback

Reviews

4.60 average

Overall

5.0/5

Communication

5.0/5

Accuracy

5.0/5

Value

5.0/5

Safety clarity

5.0/5

Cultural value

5.0/5

Verified

Just WOW!!!!!!

We booked a four days activity to visit Addis Ababa and the Danakil Depression with Ethio Backpacker Tours, and it was an exceptional experience. The trip was impeccably organized, and the team was amazing. I loved every aspect of the service and highly recommend them for anyone looking to explore these incredible destinations.

Maria · Spain

Verified

Lovely Short trip!

I was able to get a spare time for few days in Ethiopia since I came for business, but thanks to my friend's recommendation I contact with Ethio Backpacker Tours and they provided an excellent city tour in Addis Ababa. I visit the important places such as national museum, entoto park and big market merkato. Thanks for the excellent hospitalities!

Yuli · China

Verified

Extraordinary!

I recently completed a week journey through Ethiopia with Ethio Backpacker Tours, and it was truly unforgettable. The first three days in the Danakil Depression showcased the extreme beauty of one of the hottest places on Earth. From there, we spent three days exploring the Omo Valley, experiencing the vibrant culture of its diverse tribes and finally a city tour of Addis Ababa. Thank you Gashaw for such an extraordinary adventure!

Ruzan · Belgium

Verified

Everything organized perfectly!

My trip to Ethiopia was unforgettable, thanks to Ethio Backpacker Tours! With only six days off for my holiday, I was eager to explore this beautiful country that had long been on my bucket list. Gashaw organized everything perfectly, helping me prioritize what to see in such a short time. One of the most incredible experiences was witnessing the active volcano at Erta Ale. Seeing the lava exploding in the lava lake was beyond anything I had ever imagined. The raw power of nature was awe-inspiring, and I’m so grateful I had the chance to witness it.

Bahir · Turkey

Practical answers

Tour FAQs

8 answers

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 1 year and older.

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

Booking terms

Disclaimer

This tour is offered by Ethio Backpacker Tours, 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.

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