
Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge worth booking?
Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge is a 10-hour experience in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from $128 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $128 per person
Start with an early breakfast and drive to Debrelibanos Monastery, enjoying the countryside and traditional villages along the way. The trip takes about 8–9 hours including the round trip. After visiting the Monastery and spending time in the church, continue to the Ethio-German Park for lunch. From there, take a 40–60 minute walk to the waterfall and the Portuguese Bridge, where you can spot the endemic Gelada Baboon. This escape from the city includes exploring the cave where Saint Tekle Haymanot prayed, a small waterfall flowing into the Jemma River Gorge—one of the Blue Nile’s tributaries—and stunning views of Gelada Monkeys on the cliffs. The waterfalls are fullest from June to October during the rainy season..
What you get
About this experience
Start with an early breakfast and drive to Debrelibanos Monastery, enjoying the countryside and traditional villages along the way. The trip takes about 8–9 hours including the round trip. After visiting the Monastery and spending time in the church, continue to the Ethio-German Park for lunch. From there, take a 40–60 minute walk to the waterfall and the Portuguese Bridge, where you can spot the endemic Gelada Baboon. This escape from the city includes exploring the cave where Saint Tekle Haymanot prayed, a small waterfall flowing into the Jemma River Gorge—one of the Blue Nile’s tributaries—and stunning views of Gelada Monkeys on the cliffs. The waterfalls are fullest from June to October during the rainy season..
What's included
Included
- Entrance fees
- Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
- Tea and coffee
- Fresh fruit/ Banana or orange
- Good conditioned car
- Bottle of water
- Professional Tour Guide
What you'll see and do
Debre Libanos
Visit the Monastery, and after spending time in the church. Hike up to The Holy Cave: Visit the sacred cave where Saint Tekle Haymanot once prayed, drive to the Ethio-German Park for lunch. Here, you will walk for 40 to 60-minute walk leading to a stunning waterfall and the historic Portuguese Bridge. You will have The chance to spot the endemic Gelada Baboons often lounging near the cliffs and bridge. Experience the breathtaking views of the gorge, which feeds into one of the Blue Nile’s main tributaries. After exploring the waterfalls and bridge, return to Addis Ababa Important: Dress Code & Entry Tips To respect the sacred traditions of churches, please note the following: • For Women: Please wear a long dress or skirt (covering the legs completely) and a headscarf to cover your hair. • For Men: Long trousers are recommended. Thank you for honoring our local customs!
540 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Adefa Tours Ethiopia
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful Company with an exceptional staff
Honestly the best decision I made in Ethiopia was booking with Adefa Tours. Our Tour guide was very professional,patient, kind and very generous. At one point I was having difficulties with my bank and the tour guide was patient enough to still help us complete our tour and worry about payment later. This shows the high level of professionalism and humanitarian that he is. I highly recommend Adefa Tours . You will not regret booking with them
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We are delighted that the Adefa Tours team made you feel like family and exceeded your expectations. We can not wait to welcome you back to Ethiopia for more unforgettable experiences. Thank you for choosing us!
via Tripadvisor
Super day tour and geladas galore
We spent 2 whole days with Sisay...in French! At little care for us, he made us discover many things in Addis Ababa and surroundings. By thinking outside the box sometimes. We really appreciated his punctuality, knowledge, kindness, humor and flexibility. Real custom. Thanks to him, we had a great time in Ethiopia. Thank you Sisay
Response from the operator: We are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful experience in Ethiopia with Adefa Tours. It fills us with great joy to know that you cherished your two days with Sisay and that he made your time truly unforgettable. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you back for a longer stay in Ethiopia in the near future. May you continue to enjoy your safety, and we sincerely thank you for choosing Adefa Tours.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Great day with Sissay at Debre Libanos
The view is totally awesome in the area of Debre Libanos indeed but going with Adefa Tours and Sissay is an experience in itself. You won't find a better guide for setting a personalized trip! I highly recommend! By the way, the monastery worths it and the Portuguese bridge is a must seen! Afterwards you will enjoy an Injera with an amazing view on the valley!
Response from the operator: Dear Guillaume, Thank you for taking the time to leave such a well-informed review about your tour to Debre Libanos Monastery. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day trip, as well as your time with our guide, Sisay. We hope to have the opportunity to take you on longer journeys to other parts of Ethiopia in the future. Best regards. Adefa Tours
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $128 to $165
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Adefa Tours Ethiopia, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.9.
See everything Adefa Tours Ethiopia runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Addis Ababa.
How much does Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge cost?
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Prices start at $128 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Addis Ababa usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Addis Ababa is not rushed.
Is Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Addis Ababa, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Addis Ababa can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Addis Ababa and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Addis Ababa within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Addis Ababa?
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On Outty we rank every Addis Ababa experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour, Addis Ababa Guided City Tour With Airport & Hotel Pick Up, Full Day Tour of Addis Ababa with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Addis Ababa?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Addis Ababa?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge?
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Included: Entrance fees; Lunch; All Fees and Taxes; Tea and coffee; and Fresh fruit/ Banana or orange. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 3 listed pickup locations in and around Addis Ababa. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge offered in?
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It is offered in English and French. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Addis Ababa. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Debre Libanos Day Tour: Gelada Baboons & Portuguese bridge?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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