Brief Outline of the 2 Day Itinerary
Heading North for a scenic drive as we pass through the lush fertile valleys of Goha Tsion and reach to the spectacular Gorge and Old Portuguese bridge.
On this tour visitors can combine history and culture with some good bird watching, as we pass through the Sululta Plain we can see Black-winged plovers, Wattled Ibis, Blue-winged geese, Common Cranes and Wheat ears.
On arrival at Debre Libanos, we will first stop at the Jemma River gorge. The Jemma River is one of the tributaries of the Nile, and there is a drop of nearly 1000 meters to the valley below. Here at the gorge (and in the forest around the church) we can expect to see the Banded Barbet, the Black-headed Forest Oriole, the White-billed Starling, the Red-billed Starling, the White-winged Cliff Chat, the White-backed Black Tit, the White-cheeked Turaco and Hemprich's Hornbill. We will also see one of Ethiopia's endemic mammals, the Gelada or bleeding heart baboon. (In the gorge we will see a variety of vultures - Lamergeyer's, Ruppell's and Lappet faced vultures.)
Debre libanos is a religious center and monastery which was established in the 13th century by Saint (Abune) Tekle-Haimanot. It is famous for its miraculous spring. The new church that stands beneath a cliff on the edge of the gorge has beautiful stained glass windows and mosaic figures on the façade. Nearby is a bridge with much similar to that of the Portuguese in Tis Abay. Experience the breathtaking sweeping view of the Blue Nile Gorge. After lunch drive back to Addis Ababa.
Addis Tour 4x4 Car vehicle (enlarge)