Top Things to do in Oromiya Region
Top Restaurants in Oromiya Region
Top 10 Things to do in Oromiya Region, Ethiopia
Discover the best top things to do in Oromiya Region, Ethiopia including Bale Mountains, Lake Ziway, Wenchi Crater Lake, Debre Libanos, Portuguese Bridge, Aba Jifar Palace, Lake Shala, El Sod, Sof Omar Cave, El Sod Crater.
Restaurants in Oromiya Region
1. Bale Mountains
Overall Ratings
5 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By alexclaw - Frankfurt, Germany
We are a group of 3 hikers just completed a trekking to Bale Mountains, since the very beginning Armaye at Armaye Ethiopia Tours provided us amazing service more than we expected. He was very helpful and easily contactable person. I found him via posts and reviews of Trip Advisor and then contacted him two weeks ago through email to finalize the trip, even if we are late but he helped us to arrange all the program.
When we arrived in Dinsho, Armaye was there and welcomed us with big smile picked us up from the town to the park Headquarters where our camp site is located. We paid all necessary payment in there and he explained to us about details of the trip. The campsites were excellent. On the next day, we met with our Porters and other staff who are going with us on the hike, they all really a very good guys and treated us very well.
Armaye always make sure our needs were fulfilled; extra sleeping bags were given to us when we felt cold on the Mountains. Armaye is really a good guide, patience and also very knowledgeable about the park and he always spot birds and other animals such as Ethiopian Wolves in the park. When we arrived to the camping sites, our cook Idris also always ready with hot coffee and snacks, his soup and food was delicious.
We had truly a life changing experience in Bale Mountains with Armaye and his friends, it was the right decision to use them. on the end we are also discussed about our next trip to Ethiopia with his company. I would recommend anybody to do this trek and you will not regret using this company,
Thank you Armaye Hope to see you again!
2. Lake Ziway
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Hoach - USA
A big lake located south of Addis. The small town of Ziway is located just a few miles near the center. There are several "resorts" along it's coast but be prepared to stay in a less than average setting. The lake has numerous flower farms on the western coast that provides some work for the locals but once you get a few miles of the path the people are struggling. Very simple place, has natural beauty and some things to see and do. Try hiring a boat and visiting the several small Islands in the lake. An easy drive from Addis, you may want to stay in one of the several simple, spartan hotels in the city in order to enjoy the local flavor and peoples. NOTE: I visited prior to 9/15 but the site will not provide later dates so I had to simply hit the latest date...don't think the lake and area has changed dramatically since my visit.
3. Wenchi Crater Lake
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By meandros - St. Pete Beach, Florida
In summary we faced highway extortionists, spent the day with people who were not interested in providing a service only taking our money. I have travelled a lot and am used to over charging, begging etc this seemed more vicious to me.
On the way back out a few km from lake Wenchi one man and a gang of children about 8-10 yr olds blocked the roadway to extort money from us. Our driver did the best he could they wanted 500 birr and would not negotiate. He said he had never seen this in all the thousands of kms he has driven all over Ethiopia. The children tried to get in the car and were shouting "money" while making punch me in the face signs. They were only children but there were many of them. The older thug was getting nasty he was waving around a shovel he had they had laid trees across the road. This went on for about 25 minutes until our driver paid. The village people gathered to watch us be abused and maltreated. I do have photos so if there is any way to report or prevent this happening to others. All along this stretch children glared and made obscene gestures at us. I get the feeling they do not care for outsiders or visitors in this area.
Before that during the trip inside the crater I felt like we were being shaken down at every point. I had confirmed costs with the tour company prior to insure I had enough Birr with me. Everyone added 50birr to the price whether it was 100% markup or 25%. For some things like the horses 200 was fair but 200 to pay for a row 75 m to an island? That is a lot for all of 5 minutes work. Then everyone still wants "some tip". Also the office was "closed" so the guide insisted I had to give him my entrance fee and he will give it to them which sounded like a total scam. Even after that the guide wanted more tips. I refused additional payment to the 600 he had already taken from me not worth it.
I tip for good service and good service nit charity. Good service is not talking about wanting more money from me throughout. For the horses I tipped generously as it was hard to walk uphill, maintain the animals etc and my horse leader did not complain. The second horseman who my husband said complained the whole time starting insisting he deserved an extra 100 birr not having even seen what I had paid. No appreciation. This left a sour taste in my mouth. All of our interactions were unpleasant and ended even more so. I think if you handed these folks $100USD they would still say "very hard work more tip".
The lake is lovely and it is nice being in the crater. This is not a peaceful outing though. You are accompanied at every point by 1-3 men and dozens of other people are watching you. The children do wave hello in this area before saying "money" which is nice. There really is no opportunity for relaxation. The boat isn't worth the hassle you row to an island walk up to a round church with modern refurbishments which you cannot enter. The guide's English is poor and he didn't seem to know much about the place. He had previously said we could go in, but we couldn't. About 10 young men were hanging around they all gathered to watch us watch the church. As a woman it feels weird to be surrounded by so many males.
Overall there are many lakes in Ethiopia in addition to these problems it took 3.5 hours to get here via Addis traffic than a 4wd road for the last portion. I believe it is preferable to spend the considerable amount of money it takes to come here elsewhere.
4. Debre Libanos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By belleretraite - Montreal, Canada
We went there on a tour with Amazing Ethiopia Tour and Travel and we were lucky to be there during a religious funeral ceremony . We were greeted by a local guide who toured us through the museum and then in the monastery where we witnessed the different ceremonies associated with the funerals of a very important individual ; there must have been at least 2000 people attending the service !
The complex dates from the 13th century where Saint Tekle Haymanot is remembered to have live in a cave on the side of the mountain . It is very popular with the Ethiopian worshippers and one can feel the religious fervor on the site !
5. Portuguese Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By mikayewood - Kochi (Cochin), India
This ancient bridge made of rock with two arches was built by Portuguese soldiers in the 16th century and is very scenic as the river it crosses plunges hundreds of feet down a water fall into a deep valley formed by one of the tributaries to the Blue Nile river. The bridge was made from ostrich egg shells and vegetable oil as cement had not yet been invented! There is a path lined with colourful wild flowers going to the bridge about 500m past the entrance to a small lodge where one can stay and there is also a cafe and bar with fabulous views across the valley. One can walk to the bridge from the main road and then walk back along a scenic path to the lodge. Along this path one can often see Lamergyers soaring on thermals from a cliff face not far away. There are many other birds too. There are photographs of raptors to be seen here displayed in the cafe. Looking down one can see terraced fields and small villages and a church. There is a charge of 30 birr payable at a small hut above the bridge.
This visit could be combined with a visit to the nearby Debre Libanos monastery where one can see the cave where the revered holy man Tekle Haimanot stood on one leg to pray for several years. There is a spring with holy water said to cure several ailments and much visited by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.
6. Aba Jifar Palace
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By 524trip - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Jimma is not the place where historical palace and museum are visiting but also the place where coffee Arabica originated. One can visit the dense forest of coffee and other species of flora. We had a wonderful time in Jimma,visiting the historical palace of Abajifar, the king of the local Oromo people. This palace is fascinating for visitors. The other nearest visiting place is the museum of Jimma, which has a collection of artifacts and handicrafts of the king, used in his time.
7. Lake Shala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Borana N - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
This is the deepest lake among Riftvalley lakes. It is the most attractive lake with Islands and silent activities on and around this lake. If it's potential utilized properly, I think this must be the most beautiful lake of riftvalley lakes. I heard, a resort is coming up in near future and if things goes as planned this is an idealic vaccation destination. It is too salty to swim but if the said resort open with fresh water access then it is possible to swim in this lake. If boat service available on this lake then it is possible to visit the Islands.
8. El Sod
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Northfolker - Morston, United Kingdom
The crater at El Sod (which means soda - nothing to do with sodomy) is quite spectacular. You can drive up to the rim and look down several hundred metres. There are numerous kids demanding money, but your guide/driver should be able to deal with them.
You can either take a few photos and carry on to your next destination - as we did - or you can trek down to the acid-looking water at the bottom of the crater.
On the whole I'd check it out quickly and move on
9. Sof Omar Cave
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By toyedi - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
This is what I really called it the signature of Nature/God. The Cave is created by a Weyb River through time and some people claim it the No. 1 Cave system in Africa and a list visited tourist attraction. What astonishing me is the perfection of the roof sandstone slab, which is almost a perfect horizontal slab.
The attraction is good for those who love to explore a remote nature. You can learn what a complete darkness means. although you have to cross the river 15 times before you come out to the other end, it is another dimension of taking your guts to the limit. Worth to visit.
10. El Sod Crater
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By phunthomas - München
To visit the site, you need to pay an entrance fee for the park in Yabello (100 birr per person) and take a guide from Yabello (further 300 birr). El Sod is not in the park, but it does not stop the guide association from getting into tourists' pockets.
When we arrived to the village, we were encircled by a couple of people from El Sod who aggressively demanded we additionally pay 100 birr per person, take a local guide (another 300 birr) and pay for the car (100 birr). Needless to say, neither of the guides spoke communicative English.
This was a highly unpleasant and unnerving experience that spoiled our trip. Unless you want to pay through the nose and be a part of a fight, I would not recommend going to El Sod, especially considering that it is a long journey from Konso and it includes spending the night in the ridiculously overpeiced Yabello Motel.
Even though the crater is beautiful, the place is spoiled by the greed of the locals. This country has a long way to go to be welcoming to tourists.
