3-Day Lake Tana Kayak Expedition: Monasteries & The Source

Your journey begins in the lakeside city of Bahir Dar, where our team greets you with a warm welcome and transfers you to your eco-lodge nestled along the shores of Lake Tana. After settling in, you’ll meet your kayaking guide for a gear check and safety briefing. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, you’ll launch your kayak for a gentle paddle along the shoreline.

The lake comes alive in the golden hour: fishermen cast nets from traditional papyrus boats, pelicans skim the surface, and the call of African fish eagles echoes across the water. It’s a peaceful introduction to Ethiopia’s largest lake, and a chance to soak in the rhythm of local life. After your paddle, enjoy a fresh dinner at the lodge and rest up for the adventure ahead.

After breakfast, you’ll set out for a full day of paddling and exploration. Your first destination is the Zege Peninsula, where you’ll beach your kayak and hike through coffee forests to reach Ura Kidane Mehret Monastery. Inside, vibrant murals depict biblical scenes in bold Ethiopian Orthodox style, and monks share stories passed down for centuries.

Back on the water, you’ll paddle to Dek Island, home to Narga Selassie Monastery, a circular stone church surrounded by fig trees and silence. A picnic lunch is served on the island, with views of the lake stretching endlessly around you.

Throughout the day, you’ll encounter local villagers, spot endemic birds like the great white pelican and sacred ibis, and learn about the spiritual significance of Lake Tana’s islands. The paddle back to Bahir Dar is calm and reflective, with the setting sun casting long shadows over the water. Tonight, you’ll dine lakeside and share stories from the day.

This morning, you’ll paddle toward the mouth of the Blue Nile, where the lake narrows and the river begins its journey toward Sudan and Egypt. It’s a symbolic moment — tracing the origin of one of Africa’s most storied rivers.

After docking your kayak, a short drive takes you to Tis Issat, the Blue Nile Falls. Known locally as “Smoking Water,” the falls thunder into the gorge below, surrounded by lush vegetation and rainbows in the mist. You’ll hike to several viewpoints and cross a historic stone bridge built by Emperor Menelik II.

Before returning to Bahir Dar, there’s time for a local market visit or a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony — a final taste of the country’s warmth and hospitality. We’ll transfer you to the airport or assist with onward travel, leaving you with memories of sacred waters, ancient monasteries, and the quiet power of paddling through history.