Reviewed · ETHIOPIA
Addis Ababa ,Forest Spa Experience, massage and steam sunna
The best part of this five-hour forest spa escape is the setting. You leave the city from Bole and head toward Kuriftu Resort and Spa in Entoto, where greenery, scenic views, and quiet replace Addis Ababa traffic. The day combines a one-hour massage, steam sauna, and Jacuzzi in one tidy package.
I like the private group format, which makes this suitable for a solo reset, a couple, or friends who want time together without joining strangers. I also like that transport is included, so you do not need to sort out the journey to Entoto yourself. The main point to check is the treatment list: the description mentions manicure and pedicure, but the stated inclusions confirm only the massage, steam sauna, Jacuzzi, water, and transportation.
- One-hour massage: The main treatment is personalized, with time to focus on easing general tension.
- Forest setting in Entoto: The spa sits in a green park with scenic views on the way and a calm outdoor setting.
- Steam sauna and Jacuzzi: Heat and bubbling water follow the massage, giving the visit a clear three-stage rhythm.
- Private transport from Bole: Pickup and return are included, with the exact meeting point arranged a day before.
- Extra park activities: Coffee and a zipline may be available if you have spare time, but they are not part of the package price.
- Important age and health limits: The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people over 60, or people with certain medical concerns.
From Bole to the Forested Hills of Entoto

This is not a spa tucked into a city hotel. The day begins in Bole, Addis Ababa, then moves toward Kuriftu Resort and Spa in Entoto, a greener area with scenic views along the way. The change of pace is part of the appeal. You get a short outing as well as a treatment session.
The exact pickup point is not fixed in advance. The host contacts you the day before to agree where to collect you in Bole. That is helpful, but you should keep your phone available and reply promptly. If your accommodation is elsewhere in Addis Ababa, confirm that Bole is practical for you before paying.
The drive is included in the $141 price, along with the return journey. That matters in Addis Ababa, where arranging transport for a spa outside the central city can add cost, time, and uncertainty. It also lets you relax on the way back instead of searching for a taxi after your treatment.
The total activity lasts five hours, including the visit at Kuriftu and the scenic journey. The published schedule does not give exact treatment times or a precise breakdown of the drive, so do not plan another fixed appointment too close to the end of the experience.
What the Five-Hour Spa Visit Includes

At Kuriftu, you enter the spa area and receive a welcoming drink before the treatments begin. Water is included during the visit, which is useful after time in heated rooms and the Jacuzzi.
The central service is a personalized one-hour massage. That is a solid amount of time for a spa package. It gives the therapist room to work beyond a quick back rub, although the exact massage style is not specified. If you have preferences or areas of discomfort, explain them before the treatment starts.
After the massage, you move to the steam sauna. The warm, moist air is intended to help you relax and leave your skin feeling refreshed. Since the activity includes both steam and hot water, take the session at your own pace and tell the staff if you feel uncomfortable.
The final major treatment is the Jacuzzi. Its bubbling jets provide a different kind of relaxation from the massage and sauna. The sequence makes sense: hands-on treatment first, heat next, and hydrotherapy last. It gives you time to settle down rather than rushing from one unrelated service to another.
The experience description also refers to manicure and pedicure care. However, the detailed included-services list does not name either treatment. I would treat them as unconfirmed and ask the provider before booking if nail care is important to you. That small check could prevent disappointment.
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Why the Forest Setting Matters

The spa is in a large park with other activities nearby. You are not limited to a treatment room with no sense of place. The greenery gives you a chance to pause, look around, and enjoy a quieter side of the Entoto area.
The setting also changes how you use the five hours. A city massage can be finished and forgotten as soon as you step outside. Here, you have the forested surroundings and scenic journey to help mark the day as a proper break from sightseeing.
Still, this is not a full Entoto sightseeing tour. The main purpose is spa time. The itinerary allows for sightseeing, walking, and scenic views on the way, but no separate historical or cultural stop is specified. Book it for rest, not as your main introduction to Addis Ababa or Oromia.
If you have spare time at the resort, coffee and a zipline may be possible. These are optional extras, not included services. Food, drinks beyond what is provided, retail purchases, souvenirs, and unrelated activities are all outside the package price. Ask about availability and cost before adding anything.
Massage, Sauna, and Jacuzzi: How the Day Feels

The one-hour massage is likely to be the highlight for most people. A five-star rating from one customer specifically described it as possibly the best massage they had received. That is individual feedback rather than a guarantee, but it points to the treatment quality as the package’s strongest feature.
I would arrive with a simple plan: use the massage to release tension, use the steam sauna briefly and comfortably, then let the Jacuzzi finish the process. You do not need to treat the schedule as a challenge. The value comes from slowing down.
The steam sauna can feel intense, especially after a massage. Bring patience rather than trying to stay in as long as possible. The package description calls it detoxifying, but the practical benefit for you is warmth, relaxation, and a change of pace. The same applies to the Jacuzzi, which is meant to soothe muscles rather than provide an energetic water ride.
The experience works well for couples and small groups because everyone can share the spa setting while still receiving personal treatment. It can also work alone. The private-group format is especially useful if you want a quiet day without adapting to a large tour schedule.
There is one limit to keep in mind: the package is not designed for every age or health situation. It is listed as unsuitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people over 60, people with altitude sickness, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and people over 95. If any of these apply to you, do not assume the spa can make an exception. Ask the provider and follow medical advice.
Is $141 a Fair Price?
At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest massage option in Addis Ababa. The price makes more sense when you count the return transport to Entoto, the one-hour massage, steam sauna, Jacuzzi, water, and the use of a resort setting for roughly five hours.
For someone staying in Bole, the package offers convenience. You do not have to negotiate transport, search for a suitable spa, or build the day from separate bookings. That convenience is the main reason to consider it.
The value is less clear if you only want a massage. In that case, you may be paying for treatments and transport you do not plan to use. The package is better suited to someone who wants a full half-day escape with several stages of relaxation.
You should also set aside money for anything extra. Food and drinks outside the provided water are not included. Souvenirs, retail products, coffee, zipline access, and other optional activities are separate. The mention of manicure and pedicure needs clarification too, since they are not confirmed in the detailed inclusions.
For a couple, the private setting and included transport may make the price easier to justify. For a solo visitor on a tight budget, compare it with a simple city spa before booking. For a special rest day after several busy tours, the added travel and resort setting may be exactly what you want.
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Private Groups, English Support, and Accessibility

The activity is offered as a private group, not a shared departure with unknown participants. That gives you more control over the mood of the day. It is a good fit if you are traveling with a partner or friends and want to keep the outing personal.
An English-speaking host or greeter is provided. The host also handles the pickup communication the day before. One useful detail from the experience is that the guide can help with souvenir shopping if you choose to browse. That is not the main purpose of the outing, but it can be handy at the end of the day.
The package is listed as wheelchair accessible. That is encouraging, but spa access can involve different surfaces, treatment rooms, steam areas, and Jacuzzi arrangements. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider in advance with your specific needs rather than relying only on the general accessibility label.
The private format does not mean you control every start time. You need to check available starting times when booking, and the pickup location is confirmed later. Keep the day flexible enough for the journey and the five-hour schedule.
Practical Tips Before You Book

Confirm the nail treatments. The most important booking question is whether manicure and pedicure are included on your chosen date. The detailed inclusions list does not confirm them, so ask before you count them as part of the value.
Keep the day free. Five hours includes transport and the Kuriftu visit, but the exact timing is not broken down. Add extra time if you plan coffee, a zipline, or shopping.
Use the included transport. Since the provider collects you from Bole and returns you there, make that arrangement clear the day before. Give a precise meeting point and stay reachable.
Plan for comfort around heat. You will have a massage, steam sauna, and Jacuzzi in one session. Drink the provided water and tell staff if you need a pause.
Treat the optional activities as extras. Coffee, zipline access, food, beverages, and souvenirs are not included in the listed price. Carry a separate budget if you want to extend the outing.
Think carefully about the age and health restrictions. The activity is not suitable for people over 60, pregnant women, children under 10, people with altitude sickness, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. These limits are unusually important for a heated spa experience.
Who Will Get the Most From This Spa Day?

This package suits you if you want a quiet half-day away from Addis Ababa rather than another packed sightseeing tour. It is especially appealing after several days of walking, driving, or busy city visits.
Couples can use it as a shared relaxation day, while friends can combine treatments with time in the resort grounds. Solo visitors may appreciate the private format and the chance to let someone else handle transport.
It is less suitable if you want a detailed Entoto tour, a low-cost massage, or a long list of included treatments. It is also a poor match if you expect manicure and pedicure care without confirming that detail first.
The strongest praise centers on the spa itself, especially the massage and the calm setting. One person also described the resort as a place where you could add coffee or a zipline if you had spare time. Another found the guide friendly and helpful with souvenirs. Those details point to a pleasant, well-organized outing, but they do not change the need to check extras and treatment inclusions.
Should You Book the Kuriftu Forest Spa Experience?

Book it if you value convenience, private transport, a resort setting, and a full sequence of massage, steam sauna, and Jacuzzi treatments. At $141, the package is easiest to justify when you want the entire five-hour outing, not just the massage.
I would confirm the manicure and pedicure question before booking, then ask about your pickup point in Bole and any optional costs. If those details suit your plans, this is a strong choice for a restorative day in Entoto, with the massage likely to be the main reward.
FAQ

How long does the Forest Spa Experience last?
The activity lasts five hours, including the visit to Kuriftu Resort and Spa in Entoto and the transportation arrangements.
What is included in the $141 price?
The price includes transportation to and from Kuriftu Resort and Spa, a personalized one-hour massage, a steam sauna session, a Jacuzzi session, and water during the spa visit.
Is manicure and pedicure treatment included?
The experience description mentions manicure and pedicure services, but the detailed list of included services does not confirm them. Ask the provider before booking if these treatments matter to you.
Where does pickup take place?
Pickup is available in Bole, Addis Ababa. The provider communicates with you a day before the activity to confirm the exact pickup location, and return transport to Bole is also included.
Who is the activity not suitable for?
It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people over 60, people with altitude sickness, people with pre-existing medical conditions, or people over 95.
Can I cancel or pay later?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying at the time of reservation.
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