Spending a Day in Oromia, Ethiopia: My Unforgettable Visit to Kuriftu Bushoftu Resort
As an adventurer, my unfulfilled dream
is to always venture beyond my comfort zone.
One of my childhood dreams is to always try new things,
including waterpark activities.
On my trip to Ethiopia, my initial plan was to spend my whole holiday
in Addis Ababa,
but fate decided to surprise me and make my trip a lot more enjoyable.
On a random day, I was talking with my taxi driver
about many things in Addis Ababa.
In the middle of the conversation,
he suggested that I visit Kuriftu Resort because it is cool.
Since I enjoy discovering new places,
I was excited to visit the resort and experience a different atmosphere.
I conducted some research about the resort
and planned my trip to Oromia immediately.
I still think about this conversation,
and that’s what makes me love traveling.
I never expected that single conversation to give me an unforgettable experience.
How I Got There
I called the taxi driver I had spoken to about the Kuriftu resort,
and he was unavailable,
so I ordered a Ride from my hotel to the Kuriftu resort.
The cost was 4000 Birr for the round trip.
I started my journey at around 9 AM
and reached there at around 11 AM, which is ideal for me.
I had a lot of conversations during the journey
because the driver is a Civil engineering graduate.
While going through the road, he taught me a lot about Addis Ababa
and the many places I didn’t know.
I was a bit scared and nervous when we got outside the city,
but none of my worries came true.
Although I would suggest having an arrangement for a better experience.
First impressions
I didn’t expect much on that day;
I only wanted to enjoy the water park and relax.
I paid 1,800 Birr at the entrance, and when I entered,
I got a sudden rush of dopamine and became happy.
It was a sunny day and everything was bright.
There were many kids and adults playing at the water park,
as well as families enjoying their time.
The vibe was great.
Waterpark Attractions
When I arrived, there weren’t many people,
and I got to experience the activities alone and with others.
Thrilling First Waterslide: Overcoming My Fear
I started with the waterslides, and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
I am not afraid of heights, but I’m afraid of water; it scared me,
but I had to do it.
I was a bit nervous on the first try, but the fear went away,
so I tried it again and loved it so much.
Then I had a companion, and we tried the slide together.
Both were enjoyable and worth it.
Crazy Twists on the Second Slide: Pure Adrenaline
The second waterslide required two people, and we decided to do it.
I thought it was simple and easy like the first, but it froze me,
and I screamed so hard from the turn and twist.
It was so much fun and filled with a rush of dopamine and adrenaline.
Lazy River / Wave Pool
I then went to the lazy river between the two slides
and spent some time there.
It was crowded, and the vibe was great.
I didn’t spend much time there and then went to the next activity.
Arcade Fun: Space Race and Local Interaction
I then went and played some arcade games.
I love astronomy, so I chose a space race game.
The games range from 100 to 300 Birr. I played two games.
At first, the interaction was very heavy
because the girl who knows English was absent.
But luckily, the old man there knew some Arabic,
and everything went smoothly.
His vibe was great, and we had a short talk.
Food & Drinks
There is a restaurant in the resort, so I went to get some snacks for myself.
The restaurant was cozy and cultural.
It gave me the feeling and vibe of ancient Africa.
I didn’t order local food because I was eating it for 10 days straight.
My taxi driver advised me to leave at 5 PM
so that we reach Addis Ababa early.
However, I didn’t want to end the day with just a waterpark experience,
so I decided to explore the other part of the resort.
The other side of the resort was an engineering marvel.
From the rooms, to the gym, spa, and the restaurant.
Everything was designed in a very beautiful way that binds with nature.
We explored everything with my driver till we reached Kuriftu lake.
The view was so good, and I saw a kayak (I had to try).
Kayaking
Kayaking is 250 Birr per person.
Since we were two, we didn’t need a guide.
The weather was serene, and we kayaked through the lake.
There were birds flying and singing.
This moment made my trip to the Kuriftu resort intimate
because I love things that are calm.
Scenic views during return
On our way back to Addis Ababa,
I got to enjoy some of the most beautiful scenic views.
There was no traffic, the speed was high, and the vibe was great.
The driver’s name is Ermias, and he was kind of introverted.
I got my head through the window and enjoyed the vibe to the fullest.
Wrap-Up
I would definitely recommend the Kuriftu resort
to solo travelers, families, and couples.
It is perfect for creating unforgettable memories and having a great time.
You can read more reviews here.
