Bishoftu (Debre Zeyit) » Venture Ethiopia - Tours and Travel

Bishoftu (Debre Zeyit)

Surrounded by volcanic crater lakes, Bishoftu is a lively town on the western edge of the Rift Valley.  With seven lakes in close proximity to the town, it certainly lives up to the meaning of its name: "place of water/lakes/springs".

  • Admire the spectacular volcanic scenery of the crater lakes, formed when ground water came into contact with hot volcanic rock, creating pressurised steam and explosive results!
  • See flamingos, African spoonbills and a host of other water birds
  • Explore the shores of Lake Hora on foot or by rowing boat

Bishoftu was a place close to the late Emperor Haile Selassie's heart.  He built a palace on the hill overlooking LakeBishoftu, which he named "Fairfield" after the house where he lived in Bath, England, during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia from 1936 to 1941.  It was reportedly his favourite retreat for weekends away from the hustle and bustle of Addis Ababa.

Map of Bishoftu (Debre Zeyit)