Situated only 50km southeast of Addis Ababa along the new three-lane Adama Expressway, Bishoftu – formerly Debre Zeyit – provides an attractive rustic overnight alternative to the capital for eastbound or southbound travellers. Bishoftu is a town located in the East Shewa Zone of the Oromia Region, and has an elevation of 1,920 metres. It was formerly known as Debre Zeyit however since the late 1990s it has been officially known by the Oromo name, Bishoftu, which was its name until 1955.

Seven beautiful lakes surround Bishoftu. This well-equipped town’s main attraction is a quartet of beautiful crater lakes set within steep volcanic calderas whose rims are lined with resorts catering to all tastes and budgets.

Lake Bishoftu lies no more than 500m south of the main road, and forest-fringed Lake Hora is set in twin craters immediately north of the town centre. Kuriftu and Babogaya are also attractive lakes with accommodation and entertainment.

On the west side of Bishoftu, a non-volcanic lake called Chelekleka often hosts large numbers of flamingo and pelicans, and thousands of migrant European cranes overnight there from November to February.

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