Rift Valley Lakes

A 500 km chain of lakes between Addis and Arba Minch — Ziway, Langano, Abijatta, Shalla — each distinct.

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Country

Ethiopia

Region

Oromia / SNNPR

Best time

Year-round (birding peak November–February)

About Rift Valley Lakes

Ethiopia'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.

Highlights

Langano beach + swimming
Abijatta-Shalla flamingo spectacle
Lake Ziway reed-boat fishermen
Lake Awassa tilapia sunset
400+ bird species across the chain

Best time to visit

Year-round (birding peak November–February)

Itineraries

Tours that visit Rift Valley Lakes

Choose a curated departure or use any of these as a starting point — we'll tailor the itinerary, dates and pace to you.

South Ethiopia: Rift Lakes + Konso + Dorze — 6 Days

Photo: JosepMGracia / CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Cultural & Heritage Easy

South Ethiopia: Rift Lakes + Konso + Dorze — 6 Days

Flamingos at Abijatta, Crocodile Market at Chamo, Konso terraces and Dorze bamboo homes.

✓Private 4x4 vehicle with English-speaking guide/driver for all transfers and game drives
✓5 nights accommodation on full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
✓All national park and conservation area entry fees

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