Bahir Dar is the bustling capital of the Amhara Region, situated on the shores of Lake Tana. The town boasts palm-fringed roads and a very pleasant atmosphere, making it a nice place to roam around and explore the local market or the shoreline of Lake Tana. Bezawit Hill, with the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, offers a scenic view of the town. Bahir Dar also serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area.
Blue Nile Falls
About an hour’s drive southeast of Bahir Dar, you’ll arrive in the small village of Tis Abay, which translates to ‘smoking water’. Here lies the spectacular Tis Abay, or Blue Nile Falls. While the falls have been significantly reduced in size due to a nearby hydroelectric plant, the water is now more frequently following its original course, restoring their grandeur. Especially from August to November, at the end and the beginning of the months following the rainy season, you can expect an impressive sight. Year-round, a visit is worthwhile to explore the authentic village of Tissisat and the Portuguese bridge near the Falls. Various walking trails are available, making it a perfect spot for birdwatchers. The best time to visit is in the morning when it is still cool, and the sun provides perfect backlighting while admiring the falls.
Near Bahir Dar, you’ll find the ‘Source of the Blue Nile’, the point where the Blue Nile flows out of Lake Tana on its journey to join the White Nile in Khartoum and continue as the Nile to Egypt. Geographically, the source is at Gish Abay, where three small springs feed the largest river flowing into Lake Tana. These springs are considered holy by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and one of the major lakes in Africa, covering an area of almost 3,700 km². The lake is dotted with numerous islands, most of them quite small, which served as safe havens for treasuries belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church during periods of Islamic expansion. The monasteries on these islands are well worth visiting, although female travelers are welcome at only a few. Reaching the central islands typically requires a full-day trip from Bahir Dar, but there are beautiful churches located closer to the shore. The adventurous traveler might consider crossing Lake Tana to Gorgora on the northern side of the lake, visiting some island monasteries along the way. In 2015, Lake Tana was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a ‘learning place for sustainable development’.
You don’t have to travel far from Bahir Dar to reach one of the most beautiful churches on Lake Tana. A boat trip of about one hour will take you to the lush, vegetation-covered Zeghe Peninsula, and a short walk leads to the 16th-century Ura Kidane Mihret church. A significant advantage is that women are permitted to enter. If you have more time, the peninsula offers more churches (also welcoming women), and it’s a pleasant walk between them. You might encounter beautiful birds and monkeys along the way. Between Bahir Dar and Zeghe lies the Kibran Gabriel Monastery, but unfortunately, only men are allowed. Near the Source of the Blue Nile, you’ll find the Debre Maryam Church, which is accessible to both men and women.
