Also known as Debre Zeyit, Bishoftu is a substantial and bustling commercial center that sprawls for several kilometers along the old main road to Adama some 50km southeast of Addis Ababa. It stands at an altitude of 1,900m on a lush and fertile stretch of the Rift Valley wall pock-marked by numerous ancient volcanic calderas, four of which host beautiful crater lakes that more or less border the town centre. A popular retreat for city dwellers since the imperial era, Bishoftu and its lakes are serviced by an excellent selection of resorts catering mainly to the Addis Ababa weekender and conference markets.
The city’s status as a place of weekend retreat for dwellers of the capital, however, might not be here to stay. The newly inagurated parks such as Unity Park and Entoto Park may divert a lot of the weekend travelling away from the former hubs like Bishoftu. But, Bishoftu’s vibrant commercial activities and its brilliant natural splendor are there to stay whether people keep coming in the weekend or not.
For freshly arrived international visitors, this attractively located town forms an agreeable low-key alternative to overnighting in Addis Ababa, and a useful springboard for travels further south or east. It is also an easy goal for a day trip out of the capital.
History
Like many of Ethiopia’s prominent urban centers, Bishoftu has connections with important historical events. The area around it is remembered as the site of Ahmed Gragn’s victory over Emperor Lebna Dengal in 1529. Bishoftu itself was probably established in the 1880s, and it grew in stature as a commercial centre following the construction of the Djibouti railway through the town centre in 1917.
It was an important administrative centre during the Italian occupation, and it has been the site of Ethiopia’s main air force base and training centre since 1946, while the country’s main veterinary college and agricultural research institute were both founded here in the 1950s. During the imperial era, Bishoftu was a favored weekend retreat for emperor Haile Sellasie. During his era, the city had been renamed Debre Zeyit, but reclaimed its former name, Bishoftu, during the late 1990s.
Places to Stay in
Bishoftu and its lakes have an excellent collection hotels and resorts offering world-class travel experiance along with the city’s natural ellegance.
Some of the prominent service providers are:
Asham Africa: Owned by a well-travelled Rwandan-Ethiopian couple, this stylish new boutique hotel overlooks the southern shore of Lake Bishoftu close to the town centre. The individually decorated en-suite rooms, named after different African countries, are adorned with vintage & contemporary artworks, cloth & handicrafts from all over the continent, & come with parquet floor, wrought-iron 4-poster bed with fitted net, sat TV & private balcony with lake view.
Kuriftu Resort & Spa: Located on the rustic northeast shore of Lake Kuriftu, this highly regarded all-suite resort offers first-class rooms & amenities that rival the top hotels in Addis, but have a much more pleasant setting. Bungalow rooms all feature locally inspired furnishings, large plasma screens with sat TV, modern bathrooms with ‘rain’ showers, minibar with wine, & private patio with fireplace & a fire prepared every night. Garden View & Lake View rooms are available at a premium – ask to see each type of room. There is no shortage of activities, & all room prices include kayaking, mountain biking, table tennis, billiards, movie theatre, swimming pool & steam room/sauna/jacuzzi.
Pyramid Resort: Situated on the northern rim of Lake Bishoftu, this new 4-storey hotel is notable for its striking Moroccan-influenced architecture & cosmopolitan poolside restaurant. Rooms are all semi-suites with warmly coloured décor, private terrace with lake views & comfortable seating, 4-poster bed, sat TV & en-suite bathroom with combined tub-shower.
Adulala Resort: The smart new resort has a spectacular location on the north rim of Lake Babogaya & is set in large landscaped gardens dominated by indigenous trees that attract plenty of birds. The large open-plan stone-&-thatch suites all come with king-size bed, fireplace, private balcony, sat TV & stylish contemporary furnishing. Amenities & activities include a swimming pool, Wi-Fi, horseriding, gym, cycling, boating & a spa & restaurant.
Many more resorts are found in the city and googling might help you get a more comprhensive list.
Besides resorts that offer places to stay, there are also extraordinary hotels and restaurants that are equally appealing to the eye and the tounge.
Lake Bishoftu
Bishoftu is best known for its crater lakes that are dotted around the city. Among them is lake Bishoftu which extends over around 1km2 and is up to 90m deep, and is nestled within a sheer-sided crater a couple of hundred metres south of the main road. Several hotels and restaurants line the crater rim and offer views across the water to a small waterfall that plunges into the lake from the southern rim.
Centering the road between two of Ethiopias largest cities, Bishoftu is an extraordinary stopover for those making the trip from Addis to southern Ethiopia. Boasting world-class tourism infrastructure and extrodinary natural splendor, Bishoftu is a must-visit for any one looking to spend a fresh weekend away from the noise of metropolitan centers like Addis.
Article By: Kaleab Ayenew