Of the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes, we most highly recommend a stay at Lake Langano

Strung out in the area between Addis Ababa and Arba Minch, Ethiopia’s Rift Valley Lakes are a pleasant lowland area offering an ideal stopping point for travellers wanting to visit the South of the country by vehicle from Addis. This region is also the starting point for adventures into the Omo Valley. Home to some of Ethiopia’s best ‘resort’ hotels, a tailor made Ethiopia Rift Valley holiday by the Great Lakes is a great location for those looking to have a few days of rest and relaxation.

Broadly speaking the lakes run from North-East to South-West, following the line of the Great Rift Valley, getting larger in size as you move towards Arba Minch in the South West. The six principal lakes of the region are Abijatta, Langano, Shalla, Ziway and further to the South, Abaya and Chamo. It is beside these lakes that the majority of the area’s high-quality accommodation is found.

As with many areas home to permanent water this is an excellent area for birding, with black crake, greater and lesser jacana as well as yellow-billed stork being some of the main species you will see. Lake Chamo is home to thriving populations of hippo and crocodile, with morning boat trips on the lake offering a chance to spot them before continuing a journey further South towards the Omo Valley.

Whilst a visit to the Rift Valley certainly isn’t an integral part of a visit to Ethiopia, it is nonetheless a pleasant are to visit, offering a more ‘traditionally African’ feel to it than much of the rest of the country. For those with a little extra time it can make a pleasant change from the dusty towns and roads of the North.