Major city · Ethiopia
Ziway
Spend 1–2 days in Ziway: 2‑hour drive from Addis, lake boat tours and cheap lodging, then continue south or return.
Ziway is a small lakeside town on Lake Ziway, 162 km south of Addis Ababa. The lake and cheap hotels make it a good 1‑day stop or a relaxed 2‑day base before heading to Awasa or the Rift Valley lakes.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ETB
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season)
- Airport
- ADD
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Ethiopia ↗Apply for the Ethiopian e-visa only on the official portal before you fly; visas on arrival have been suspended for most foreign visitors (check the current status for your passport).
- Ethiopia ↗Check your government's advice zone by zone before booking any domestic flight; in 2026 the UK and US advise against all travel to Amhara and Tigray, and the US also to Afar.
- Ethiopia ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention below about 2,000 m, altitude, and yellow fever — Ethiopia is itself a yellow fever risk country, so your next destination may ask for the certificate.
- Ethiopia ↗Confirm times in writing: local 'Ethiopian time' counts hours from about 6 am, so 2 o'clock local can mean 8 am.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ziway991 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ziway, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB); the rate was floated in July 2024 and has moved a lot since — check the current rate before you land.Ethiopia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEthio Telecom and Safaricom Ethiopia both sell SIMs at Bole arrivals and shops with passport registration; a few GB costs a few dollars.Ethiopia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Ethiopia-wide
- TippingLocal restaurant: Round up.Ethiopia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ethiopia-wide
- SafetyZiway is generally safe for day visitors; keep valuables hidden, avoid isolated areas after dark, and use reputable transport.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets or none at all on the road.Ethiopia-wide
- Emergency numbers991 police · 907 ambulance · 939 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close on all public holidays; many shops close on Orthodox feast days; Muslim businesses close for Friday prayers in Harar.Ethiopia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportADD Addis Ababa Bole International.
- Getting aroundWalk or hire a bike in town; boat trips from the jetty to islands; taxis for longer distances.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBudget hotel room, a night, per personETB 160
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomETB 900
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomETB 1,300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ETB 300 · Mid ETB 600 · High ETB 900
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ADD Addis Ababa Bole International
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (9 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ziway: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or hire a bike in town; boat trips from the jetty to islands; taxis for longer distances.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Abijatta Shalla Lakes
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus via Shashemene, about 45 min
Birdwatching and wetlands, easy day trip.
Lake Langano
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus south via Shashemene, about 45 min
Beach resorts and swimming, good for a half‑day.
Tiya
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus via Butajira, about 1 h 30 min
Historical steles, limited facilities; consider if time permits.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bekele Molla
Basic rooms, 160 birr per night
Bethlehem Hotel
600 birr double, near jetty
Haile Resort
Higher‑end lakeside resort
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ETB 300–500 excl. bed
- Mid
- ETB 500–800 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel room1 × 1 night × ETB 160 | ETB 160 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ETB 300 | ETB 300 |
| Bus from Addis to Ziway (one‑way)1 × ETB 250 · check | ETB 250 |
| Lake boat tour1 × ETB 650 · check | ETB 650 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ETB 136 |
| Trip total≈ ETB 1,496 per person per day, bed included | ETB 1,496 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Fresh tilapia (asa tibs) | ETB 10 per fish |
| Budget hotel room | ETB 160 |
| Boat tour (birds & hippos) | ETB 650 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads can be rough after rain; allow extra travel time.
- Boat ticket prices vary (650 birr for bird & hippo tour).
- Nighttime safety: stay in well‑lit hotels, keep valuables secure.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 991
- Ambulance
- 907
- Fire
- 939
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ZiwayZiway
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
እባክህ ወደዚህ አድራሻ ይደርሱTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police991
- Ambulance907
- Fire939
Embassy
US consulate in Addis Ababa; other embassies in Addis.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Addis → Ziway bus: about ETB 250, 2 h 30 min (check)
- Boat tour at Lake Ziway: ETB 650 per person, 1‑2 h
Say or show
- ይህ ምን ያህል ነው? — How much is this? (yih min yahl naw?)
- እባክህ አሳ ይስጠኝ — I would like fish, please (ebakih asa yistagn)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ziway. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Ziway
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