Kuriftu Resort & Lake Hora, Ethiopia
Discover a resort at the lesser visited Oromia Region, known for its lakes, in Ethiopia
The Oromia Region of Ethiopia, on the western border in an arc to the southwestern corner of the country, is known for its lakes. We drove about an hour outside of the capital city of Addis Ababa to visit Lake Hora and Kuriftu Resort and Spa. This area is a popular weekend getaway destination for residents of Addis, and I was interested to see what an Ethiopian resort might look like.
A local in a fun, tiny car on the way to Kuriftu Resort in Ethiopia.
Along the drive there, we passed more populated areas and also rural outcroppings and lots and lots of horse drawn carts and donkeys carrying goods. People seem to be out on the streets, similar to Addis, with kids shining shoes, women carrying goods on their backs and a myriad of open air stalls selling everything from clothing to household goods lining the main road.
It’s the rainy season in Addis, and it rained on our drive out to the resort, but thankfully stopped when we arrived. There was a big breakfast spread out with an omelet station, fresh guava and mango juices, cereal, muffins and everything you might expect from a Western resort breakfast buffet. It was served in a large open air room, which overlooked quiet Lake Kuriftu. A couple from California on their honeymoon was also enjoying breakfast, as were several families with kids.
Breakfast at Kuriftu Resort and Spa about an hour from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
I sipped some hot tea to warm up and walked around the grounds, where there’s a spa, gift shop, restaurant and bar and a variety of well-appointed accomodations. My guide Kelly told me that the owner of this resort also owns several others in other parts of Ethiopia.
Ethiopian coffee ceremony at Kuriftu Resort in Ethiopia.
After watching a beautiful traditional coffee ceremony, we drove over and up to a scenic viewpoint over Lake Hora, a nearby lake known for its good hiking and watersports. Definitely in an off the beaten path location, we stood on a construction site where a new restaurant and possibly later a resort was being built.
The Ethiopian people have great pride in their country and culture and tourism is developing. As I looked out on the quiet lake, I wondered what it all would look like if I came back in five years.
Learn more about travel to Ethiopia at Travel Ethiopia, who can help you plan a travel adventure and vacation to Ethiopia.
