Blue Nile Falls — Ethiopia

About this spectacle

Standing at the edge of the Blue Nile Falls — known locally as Tis Issat, meaning 'smoking water' — visitors are met with a curtain of white water plunging roughly 45 metres into a churning gorge below. A permanent mist rises above the chasm, catching sunlight into fleeting rainbows and soaking anyone who ventures close. The roar is immense, felt as much in the chest as heard with the ears. The walk to the viewpoint passes through eucalyptus forest and rolling Ethiopian highland farmland, with village children often accompanying the way. In the wet season, the falls swell to their most dramatic width, stretching across the basalt lip in a broad horseshoe. In the dry season, a portion of the flow is diverted for a hydroelectric dam, reducing but not eliminating the spectacle. Weaver birds and swifts wheel through the spray-filled air. The combination of raw natural power, vivid green surrounds, and Nile-blue water makes this one of East Africa's most visually compelling waterfall experiences.

When to go

Jan — Dec, peak Jul — Sep

Getting there

Nearest airport: BJR. Nearest city: Bahir Dar.

Booking options

Goyova doesn't process bookings directly. When you tap "Plan this trip" in the app, you'll see options from our partner providers — accommodation, tours, transport — with affiliate links where applicable. See our affiliate disclosure for details.