Set sail for the cultural delights of Lake Tana

From sunrise to sunset, a visit to Lake Tana is always full of surprises and interesting adventures.

The peaceful waters of Ethiopia’s biggest lake, beautiful natural scenery and wildlife, bustling cities, impressive castles, welcoming people and tasty food are just waiting to be discovered at the Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve.

Whether you’re delving into the history of the Ethiopian culture in an ancient monastery on a hidden island, taking an evening stroll in the sunset on the shores of the lake, sampling the unique flavours of Ethiopian cuisine or spotting the hippos, pelicans and other exotic wildlife on a boat trip, there’s plenty for all to enjoy. Everything is here, as it has been for centuries, waiting for you to join us to relax and immerse yourself in this unique and special place.

The city of Bahir Dar and the town of Gorgora offer you a taste of vibrant Ethiopian everyday life, while the historic monasteries of Lake Tana have preserved the unique cultural heritage and Ethiopian Orthodox belief for centuries.

Explore all that the area has to offer, from the wild coffee forests and monasteries on Zeghe Peninsular to the impressive Tis Issat Falls (also called Blue Nile Falls), whose remarkable size only becomes truly visible to those who take a boat tour on the lake, e.g. to the Blue Nile Outlet – you might even spot a hippopotamus or a nile waran.

As an Important Bird Area (IBA), the lake and its surrounding wetlands attract birdwatchers from around the globe. Castles and Hot Springs allow for additional retreats and sight-seeing.