Is it safeWhat day trips from Addis Ababa are possible right now?
As of 28 September 2026, the one classic day trip out of Addis Ababa that neither the UK nor the US government advises against is Bishoftu (Debre Zeit), a crater-lake town roughly 50 km south-east on the Addis–Adama expressway. The US says Do Not Travel to the rest of Oromia region (except Bishoftu and Bale Mountains National Park) and to Central Ethiopia Region, which rules out popular trips such as Debre Libanos, Tiya and Adama. Within Addis itself, Entoto, the museums and Unity Park make good day outings.
Updated Sept 2026 · 6 min
EthiopiaWhat is there to do in Bishoftu (Debre Zeit)?
Bishoftu, the town once called Debre Zeit, is about 47 km south-east of Addis Ababa and is known for its volcanic crater lakes, including Hora, Bishoftu, Babogaya and Kuriftu, plus the seasonal Cheleklaka wetland. People come for lakeside lunches, birdwatching, short walks and resort weekends, and for Irreecha, the Oromo thanksgiving festival at Lake Hora, set for Sunday 4 October 2026. As of 28 September 2026 the US names Bishoftu as an exception to its Do Not Travel advice for Oromia, and the UK exempts the expressway corridor from Addis to Bishoftu.
Updated Sept 2026 · 6 min
How longHow long does it take from Addis Ababa to Bishoftu by car?
Bishoftu (Debre Zeit) is about 45–52 km by road from Addis Ababa, depending on where you start. The toll expressway takes around 45–50 minutes in light traffic, but leaving Addis at busy times can add a lot more. The old road through Akaki and Dukem is about the same distance but usually slower. As of 28 September 2026, the UK exempts the expressway corridor to Bishoftu from its wider warnings for the area, and the US lists Bishoftu as an exception to its Do Not Travel advice for Oromia.
Updated Sept 2026 · 5 min