Ethiopia Oromia / SNNPR 1 tour

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

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