Debre Libanos Monastery Tour: Experience Wildlife & Ancient Cave Church in Ethiopia
4.8
169 Ratings
Addis Ababa
Embark on a captivating road trip through Ethiopia's countryside to explore the ancient Debre Libanos Monastery, the Portuguese Bridge, and the stunning Nile Gorge. Encounter wildlife, including gelada baboons, and enjoy breathtaking views of Addis Ababa.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Debre Libanos - 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.
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
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

As part of this admired roadway journey, you will traverse through stunning pastoral landscapes and observe the authentic Ethiopian lifestyle - agriculturists, rural districts, isolated towns. The trip includes a stopover at the historic Debre Libanos Monastery (including its cave church), the renowned ‘Portuguese Bridge’ constructed in the 1890s, the Nile Gorge teeming with native bird species and gelada baboons, and a spectacular view of Addis Ababa from an observation point situated at an altitude of 3,300 meters (Entoto Mountain).

Please be aware that sighting the Gelada Baboons can be a chance event, considering their habitat in an open park.

  • Minimum age is 7 years
Location
Edna Mall Roundabout
Africa Avenue
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(169 Ratings)
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Adrianhy7215th
May 20, 2024
Amazing Day Tour in Addis Ababa with a magnificent guide! - I visited Addis Ababa this weekend with some friends and had a full-day tour on Saturday with a guide named Zerefa. He was incredibly friendly and possessed extensive knowledge of Ethiopia's history, culture, and religion. We visited a church on the mountain, saw monkeys, and enjoyed breathtaking views. Zerefa was an excellent guide whom I highly recommend to everyone. He is a man with his heart in the right place.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
262savitas
Apr 30, 2024
Amazing Ethiopia! - We had a great trip with Our tour guide - Elias , he was very knowledgeable and we learnt a lot about Ethiopia 's history. It was an excellent trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Arifs815
Apr 6, 2024
Ethiopia - Tour was a perfect opportunity to get away from city and see the rural part of country. Seid (guide) was fluent in english and gave history guide along the way. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
479botondk
Apr 3, 2024
Tour - The guide abiy was very nice and knowledgeable and the driver was also great. We saw everything that was mentioned in the booking. Hope to return, beautiful country.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurenceg468
Mar 25, 2024
Must do trip! - Absolutely incredible trip and tour. Zerafa is the best tour guide ever! 5 stars all round, what a way to experience Ethiopia. Thanks so much! Laurence
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amalsa9969xa
Mar 18, 2024
Must Do Day Trip From Addis - Our guide and driver promptly picked us up from the hotel at the scheduled time and drove us in a spacious and very comfortable Toyota van. It felt like a private trip since no other people joined us. We went on a Sunday, so we reached the Debre Libanos Monastery in less than 3 hours, despite making a 30-minute pit stop at Entoto National Park. The driver, Moses, and the guide, Saed, were both extremely pleasant and knowledgeable, and they eagerly answered all our questions. Saed shared many interesting facts throughout the journey. We were fortunate to spot baboons close to the Monastery. Inside the Monastery, a local priest gave us a wonderful tour. The views from the Nile Gorge are breathtaking. We also stopped for an excellent traditional lunch at a small restaurant on the highway, which was definitely better than many of the standard spots we visited in Addis Ababa. Although there is a lot of driving, passing through semi-rural areas and small towns provided us with valuable insights into the country beyond Addis. We highly recommend this activity if you have a few extra days in Addis Ababa.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrea_b
Mar 12, 2024
Fabulous tour to Entoto Mountain and Debre Libanos with super-knowledgeable guide - I had a fabulous tour on March 10 to the Entoto Mountain and the Debre Libanos Monastery with Seid and Muse. This is my second time in Ethiopia and I follow events in Ethiopia back in the United States. I was looking for a guide with an in-depth knowledge not only of the sites we visited but also of the history, politics and culture of Ethiopia. That is exactly what I got with Seid. He explained the changes in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas in Oromia since I was last here in 2018, made sure I got some great photos of the gelada monkeys, and took me to a great place for a hot milk snack and a delicious vegetarian lunch later. He also helped me learn a few words in Amharic, and told me a little about Harar, which I will be visiting later this week. Muse is a terrific driver, I was never worried driving with him despite all the huge trucks on the road to Debre Libanos.
Review provided by Viator
Patientwalker
Feb 28, 2024
Experience Rural Ethiopia - Seid, our guide was fantastic. We were collected from our hotel at the nominated time. Seid was extremely knowledgeable answering all our many questions. We were given plenty of time at each site, given extra stops to take photos, assisted with our back packs & generally treated with the greatest of care. The traditional lunch was delicious- the best food so far on our trip. This is a long day but you drive through stunning rural Ethiopia and view the amazing Blue Nile valley. We witnessed teff (main grain grown) being winnowed by hand. Highly recommended. Make sure you take water with you as it is a long day and a snack if you are use to morning and afternoon tea.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yassiry2018
Feb 17, 2024
BLUE NILE GORGE - I had the opportunity to embark on an adventure with Said and M'osas today. I want to express my gratitude to our dear guide Said and our professional driver M'osas. The experience was magnificent, and the advertised program was followed to the letter. The guides paid attention to small details, anticipated everything, and always tried to respond positively to our requests. Both individuals are very professional, kind, and understanding. Honestly, I didn't expect the excursion to be so interesting, considering it's my first visit to Ethiopia, but Said and M'osas made it incredibly attractive and fun. I highly recommend MyGuzo; they have lovely teams, and you won't be disappointed. Said is the first person I will contact on my next visit to Addis. Keep going, MyGuzo, you're doing a great job.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suspendedingaffa1
Feb 12, 2024
Blue Nile Gorge - Excellent tour: friendly driver, knowledgable guide. Scenery was truly spectacular and they were happy to accommodate frequent stops for photos.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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