A 500 km chain of lakes between Addis and Arba Minch — Ziway, Langano, Abijatta, Shalla — each distinct.
Country
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Region
Oromia / SNNPR
Best time
Year-round (birding peak November–February)
Coordinates
7.550, 38.450Ethiopia's Rift Valley lakes form a 500 km chain south of Addis. Lake Ziway is a shallow crater lake famed for fishermen on reed boats. Lake Langano is the only bilharzia-free swimming lake, a weekend resort. Abijatta-Shalla National Park protects a soda-lake wintering ground for tens of thousands of lesser flamingos and white pelicans. Lake Awassa is Ethiopia's tilapia-fishing capital.
Real observations published to GBIF by researchers, lodges, and citizen scientists — refreshed daily.
Best time to visit
Year-round (birding peak November–February)
Choose a curated departure or use any of these as a starting point — we'll tailor the itinerary, dates and pace to you.
Flamingos at Abijatta, Crocodile Market at Chamo, Konso terraces and Dorze bamboo homes.