Debre Libanos Monastery and Blue Nile Gorge Excursion
Explore the Blue Nile Gorge, often called Ethiopia's own Grand Canyon, located 213 km north of Addis Ababa. This majestic and enormous gorge is known for its magnificent physical features and alluring natural beauty.
Drive back to Addis, en route visiting Debre Libanos Monastery. Debre Libanos is an important monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. The monastery was founded by the renowned 13th-century mystic, St Teklehaimanot.
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.
Descend downhill to the 17th-century Portuguese Bridge.
See plenty of birdlife, including 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, White-cheeked Turaco, and Hemprich's hornbill.
Witness one of Ethiopia's endemic mammals, the Gelada, or bleeding heart baboon.
Drive back to Addis Ababa and arrive late in the afternoon.
