Rift Valley Lakes in Ethiopia
Lake Abaya
Lake Abaya lies in southern Ethiopia within the Great Rift Valley. It was originally named Lake Margherita by the Italian explorer Vittorio Bottego in honor of Queen Margherita of Italy, though that name is rarely used today.
The lake lies east of the Guge Mountains and is fed by the Bilate River. The town of Arba Minch sits on its southwestern shore, while the southern area forms part of Nechisar National Park.
Lake Abaya measures about 60 km long and 20 km wide, covering an area of roughly 1,160 square kilometers. Its distinctive reddish color is caused by high levels of suspended sediment.
Lake Chamo
Lake Chamo lies just south of Lake Abaya near the city of Arba Minch in southern Ethiopia. It is part of the Great Rift Valley system and reaches an elevation of about 1,235 meters above sea level.
The lake measures approximately 26 km long and 22 km wide, with a surface area of about 551 square kilometers and a maximum depth of around 10 meters.
Lake Chamo is famous for its large populations of Nile crocodiles and hippopotamuses and is a popular destination for wildlife boat tours.
Lake Hawassa
Lake Hawassa lies in the Rift Valley south of Addis Ababa and is one of Ethiopia’s most studied lakes.
The lake measures about 16 km long and 9 km wide, with a surface area of approximately 129 square kilometers and a maximum depth of around 10 meters.
Despite having no visible outlet, Lake Hawassa remains relatively fresh, suggesting that water escapes through underground channels.
Lake Langano
Lake Langano lies about 200 km south of Addis Ababa in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia.
Unlike most freshwater lakes in Ethiopia, Lake Langano is free from bilharzia (schistosomiasis), making it one of the few lakes where swimming is considered safe.
The lake is about 18 km long and 16 km wide with a maximum depth of around 46 meters. Its brownish color is caused by natural minerals in the water.
Lake Langano is a popular weekend destination offering swimming, water sports, horseback riding, forest walks, and bird watching.
Lake Shalla
Lake Shalla lies within Abijata-Shalla National Park south of Addis Ababa. Measuring about 28 km long and 12 km wide, it has a maximum depth of approximately 250 meters, making it the deepest lake in Ethiopia.
The lake is known for its volcanic hot springs and large colonies of Great White Pelicans that nest on its islands.
Lake Ziway
Lake Ziway is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. It lies about 167 km south of Addis Ababa between the Oromia and Southern Nations regions.
The lake measures roughly 25 km long and 20 km wide with a maximum depth of about 14 meters.
Several islands lie within the lake, including Tullu Gudo, which hosts a historic monastery believed to have once sheltered the Ark of the Covenant.
The lake is known for its rich birdlife, fishing industry, and large populations of hippopotamuses.