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Situated in the Great Rift
Valley, only 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Addis Ababa, and in the Lake
Langano recreational areas, the Abijatta Shalla lakes National Park attracts
numerous visitors. Using Lake Langano as your base, it is an easy trip to visit
the National Park, which is 887 square kilometers in size, 482 of these being
water.
The altitude of the park ranges
from 1540 to 2075 meters, the highest peak being mount Fike, situated between
the two lakes. The network of tracks in this park is always developing. At
present you can enter at four different points, three of which are inter
connected. Approaching from Addis you first reach the Horakello entrance, where
the small Horakello stream flows between lakes Langano and Abijatta. Ethiopia tour operators
It was created primarily for its
aquatic bird life, particularly those that feed and breed on lakes Abijatta and
Shalla in Large numbers. The park compresses the two lakes, the isthmus between
them and a thin strip of land along the shorelines of each.
The park itself revolves largely
around the stunning alkaline lakes Abijatta and Shalla, which act as a migratory
home for vibrant and diverse birdlife.
Entering the park in the north,
you will first drive through the grassland and acacia woodlands to the shores
of the shallow Lake Abijatta. Coated with flamingos and pelicans, this
shoreline often takes on a remarkable pinkish hue. As you slowly drive or walk
south, you will approach the picturesque Mount Fike, located on the isthmus
between Abijatta and her mystical southern sister lake, Lake Shalla. This next
lake is the deepest in the entire rift valley, and fills the center of a
collapsed volcano. The dramatic black cliffs, jagged peaks and steamy shoreline
speckled with bubbling hot springs is a stark — but perfect — compliment to the
cotton-candied shores of Abijatta. best
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With nearly half of the total
surface area of the park covered by the two lakes, a tour to this park is spent
quietly on the shoreline. Spend time in the shade with a pair of binoculars in
hand, observing a spectacular bird population while you pause from the bustle
of Addis Ababa and the intensity of Ethiopia’s southern tourist circuit.
Birding, Stunning Lakes and Other
Highlights
Aibijatta-Shalla is heaven for
ornithologists and a pleasant place for those with an appreciation for birds.
The park is home to over 300 species — over half of the total number of species
recorded in the whole of Ethiopia. This narrow portion of the Great Rift Valley
is a major flyway for Palearctic and African migrating birds, many of which can
be observed between the months of July and December . As you lean back on the
banks of Lake Shalla, look up and try to spy some of the endangered species
flying overhead, including the Lesser Kestrel, the Eastern Imperial Eagle, and
the Basra Reed Warbler.
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The four islands in the center of
Lake Shalla are favoured nesting grounds for a variety of birds, with the great
white pelicans notable among them. White-necked cormorant, African fish eagle,
Egyptian geese, and numerous plover and herons are also common here.
Lake Shalla is however nearly
devoid of fish, and most birds will fly to neighbouring Lake Abijatta to feed.
Gingerly walk the unpredictable perimeter of the lake, weaving among huge
numbers of greater and lesser flamingos that busily snack on the algae that
grows easily in these waters. Keep an eye out for the migrant wader, the
Mongolian plover and the Pacific golden plover, as they too enjoy feasting in
these waters.
An
enchanting moment in the National Park is enjoying an early morning on the
steaming shores of Lake Shalla. A number of hot springs spurt boiling water
through the muddy and rocky shores, leaving a magical mist on the shoreline.
While the springs remain undeveloped for tourism, this lack of infrastructure
is for many, part of the charm. Spend a morning on the shores watching as
locals wander by, taking advantage of the water’s alleged medicinal properties.
Enjoy a steam-cooked breakfast of boiled eggs and corn alongside them, before
slowly meandering and scrambling around the perimeter. Omo valley Tour Ethiopia
50km south of the park is the
town of Wendo Genet, where you can enjoy a dip in natural hot springs in a
manufactured hot pool, heated by the earth’s core. With numerous hiking trails
leading into the surrounding mountains, this is a worthwhile detour for those
craving a soak.
While Lake Abijatta is far too
shallow for any water activities, it is possible to swim in Lake Shalla.
Swimming in the lake has a somewhat curious feeling, given the high salinity of
the water. As you slip into this water with the colour of richly steeped tea,
you will notice an almost soapy feel to it. It is also possible to swim in
neighbouring Lake Lagano, just outside the park boundaries, where two lodges
are established. Reported to be bilharzia-free, this lake too has that
intriguing soapy feel to it.
Unfortunately, while this park
was initially formed to conserve resident mammals, much of the wildlife in the
park no longer exists. Visitors do report seeing the occasional gazelle, kudu,
oribi, warthog and jackal, though sightings are becoming increasingly rare. Trekking in Ethiopia
How to Get There
The park is most easily accessed
by car from Addis Ababa. The park gates are 200km south of the capital, and the
drive itself takes roughly four hours. The park gates are directly off
the Highway 6, after the town of Ziway and before Hawassa.
Best Time to Visit
For those interested in observing
the migratory birds, it is best to visit this park between the months of July and
September when they regularly pass through. During these months, and between
March and April, there are higher levels of rainfall, so do prepare for periods
of daily rain. The driest months occur from October through to December.
Peak
temperatures occur in the summer months between June and July, during which
temperatures may rise to as high as 45°C. Late fall is a very pleasant climate,
with occasional chilly nights. Tour
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