A 10 kilometer Bajaj ride (70-100 birr contract) to the South of Butajira lies this interesting and uncommon geologic feature. To get there, find a Bajaj, and if the driver doesn’t speak English, tell him you want to go to the “Arumgwaday hike” (green lake), and he should begin to recognize where you are trying to go. For the upper end of the price range, he may take you all the way to the lake. For the lower end, you can have him drop you off where the road going to the lake splits off from the paved highway. From here, it is about a 10-minute walk on the dirt road. When the road splits, head directly East up the hill – you will see no sign of the lake until you reach the top of the hill and are on the cusp of it. The green waters and approximately 150 meter/500 foot crater are an amazing sight to behold and need no further explanation here. There are also some recently constructed gazebos around the lake, where you can sit and relax, or there is a trail going down to the water on the opposite (East) side.
To reach the cave, stroll along the left (North) side of the crater until you see a road leading off to the Northeast. You will head about 1,000 ft. down the trail until you see a big open area above you and to the left (West). If you get lost, ask anyone in the community “washa yet-no,” and they should be able to point you in the right direction. Head up the open field (avoid stepping on any crops) until you see a circle-shaped forested ravine with lots of bird sounds. There is a trail leading down to the cave entrance. Please be aware that you should either come accompanied by a guide or have some Amharic conversation skills. This is someone’s home! His name is Ahmed, and he likes to spend his days sitting on a throne of sorts in the cave. He is rumored to have over 30 kids. Usually, some of his other family members will be around as well. Please come prepared to make a small donation for your unannounced visit or bring a nice gift. If you are uncomfortable with all of this or don’t want to impose, please skip coming here altogether. Outside the cave, there is an impressive hole about 200 ft. deep that seems to house thousands of birds!