City & Day Tours · 1 day · 🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Wenchi Crater Lake Day Tour

A 3,000 m crater lake + hot springs + horseback descent — a perfect day out of Addis.

⚡ Instant confirmation Only 3 seats left on next departure 📅 Next departure 18 Jun 2026 🏷 Save 10% early-bird ✓ Free cancellation up to 30 days
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Overview

A full day out of Addis to the Wenchi volcanic crater, a perfect circular lake at 3,000 m in the western Oromia highlands. Descend to the lakeshore on horseback (or on foot if preferred), cross to the 17th-century Cheretta island monastery by traditional reed boat, soak in the lakeside sulfur hot springs, and enjoy a community-cooked injera-and-kitfo lunch with the Wenchi Eco-Tourism Association.

Route: Addis → Ambo → Wenchi → Addis

Itinerary

Your day-by-day adventure

Tap into the rhythm of each day — locations, drive times, activities, and where you'll sleep.

  1. Day 1

    Wenchi day

    Highlight: Cultural visit in Wenchi Crater Lake

    07:00 Addis departure; 10:30 Wenchi crater rim arrival; 11:00 horseback descent (1 hour); 12:00 Cheretta monastery + boat; 13:30 lunch; 15:00 hot springs; 16:30 depart; 19:30 back in Addis.

    📍 Wenchi Crater Lake 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 240 km ⏱ ~4 hrs 🍽 L
    • Bush breakfast
    • Visit local market
    • Cultural visit
    • Morning bird-walk
Budget options

Choose your style of safari

Same itinerary, different comfort levels. Lock in the tier that fits your budget.

Budget
Budget — Comfort basics
$128 / pp
Single supp. +$120

Clean mid-range lodges and tented camps with reliable hot showers.

  • Shared 4x4 game drives
  • Full-board meals
  • English-speaking driver-guide
Book Budget
Most popular
Standard
Mid-range — Most popular
$150 / pp
Single supp. +$180

Established safari lodges and beach resorts (3–4★).

  • Private 4x4 with pop-up roof
  • All game-park fees
  • Bottled water
  • Welcome drink on arrival
Book Standard
Premium
Premium — Upgraded lodges
$202 / pp
Single supp. +$250

Premium lodges and luxury tented camps (4–5★) in prime locations.

  • Private guide & vehicle
  • Sundowner setup
  • Laundry service
  • Airport meet & greet
Book Premium
Bucket list
Luxury
Luxury — Bucket-list
$278 / pp
Single supp. +$420

Top-tier lodges, signature suites, and exclusive concessions.

  • Private driver-guide
  • Champagne sundowners
  • Private vehicle throughout
  • Butler-style service
  • Guaranteed window seat
Book Luxury
On this safari

What's onboard

wifi Free Wi-Fi
directions_car Game Drives
festival Cultural Visits
directions_walk Walking Safaris
air Hot-Air Balloon
airport_shuttle Airport Transfers
local_laundry_service Laundry Service
Your route
Interactive map · OpenStreetMap
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Live forecast · Wenchi Crater Lake
18°C Mainly clear · 6 km/h wind
Updated 2026-05-18T17:30
  1. 🌦 19° 9° 💧 0.2mm
  2. ⛅ 20° 10°
  3. ☁ 20° 10°
  4. 🌦 20° 10° 💧 0.1mm
  5. ☁ 21° 9°
  6. ☁ 21° 10°
  7. ⛅ 22° 9°
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Live wildlife observations
Recently spotted near Wenchi Crater Lake

Real observations published to GBIF by researchers, lodges, and citizen scientists — refreshed daily.

Gyps rueppellii
2026-02-24 · Ethiopia
Hygrophila auriculata
2026-02-24 · Ethiopia
Trichodesma zeylanicum
2026-02-24 · Ethiopia
Chlorocebus aethiops
2026-02-25 · Ethiopia
Lantana camara
2026-02-24 · Ethiopia
Lophoceros hemprichii
2026-02-25 · Ethiopia
Phoenicurus phoenicurus
2026-02-24 · Ethiopia
Bubo lacteus
2026-02-25 · Ethiopia
Source: GBIF.org — Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Where you'll sleep

Hotels & lodges on this tour

Hand-picked properties — swap any for an upgrade at booking.

★★★★★ 9.0/10
Sheraton Addis
Luxury · Addis Ababa
From $295 / night · +$420 upgrade
Air-conditioningSwimming PoolGame DrivesWalking SafarisFamily Friendly
412 verified reviews
Book on Booking.com ↗ Add to trip
★★★★☆ 8.4/10
Maribela Hotel
Boutique · Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches
From $165 / night · +$180 upgrade
Air-conditioningRestaurantBar / LoungeGame DrivesGym / Fitness
198 verified reviews
Book on Booking.com ↗ Add to trip
★★★★☆ 9.0/10
Limalimo Lodge
Safari Lodge · Simien Mountains National Park
From $295 / night · +$65 upgrade
Free Wi-FiSwimming PoolGame DrivesBush BreakfastWalking Safaris
134 verified reviews
Book on Booking.com ↗ Add to trip
★★★★☆ 8.3/10
Avanti Blue Nile Hotel
Mid-range · Bahir Dar
From $145 / night
Spa & WellnessBush BreakfastCultural VisitsWalking SafarisPet-Free Zones
156 verified reviews
Book on Booking.com ↗ Add to trip
Getting here

Flight schedules to your gateway

Indicative fares from key hubs — our team can hold seats while you decide.

AirlineRouteDepartsArrives DurationDaysFrom
Ethiopian Airlines
ET701		 LHR → ADD
London · Addis Ababa · Non-stop 		20:35 06:55 7h 20m Daily $760 Book on Ethiopian Airlines ↗
Ethiopian Airlines
ET501		 JFK → ADD
New York JFK · Addis Ababa · 1 stop 		23:45 21:30 12h 50m Daily $980 Book on Ethiopian Airlines ↗
Ethiopian Airlines
ET607		 DXB → ADD
Dubai · Addis Ababa · Non-stop 		03:15 07:05 4h 50m Daily $520 Book on Ethiopian Airlines ↗
Lufthansa
LH598		 FRA → ADD
Frankfurt · Addis Ababa · Non-stop 		22:35 06:30 7h 50m Daily $1,080 Book on Lufthansa ↗

Fares are indicative round-trip economy and shift with demand. We rebook fare drops within 24 hrs.

In the price

What's included & what's not

check_circleIncludes

  • Private car + driver-guide
  • Horseback ride from rim → lakeshore
  • Boat across to Cheretta monastery island
  • Community lunch at Wenchi Eco-Tourism Association
  • Hot-spring access

cancelExcludes

  • Tips
  • Personal purchases
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$150 per person, minimum 2 pax
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