The Great Rift Valley, which extends from the Middle East to Mozambique, passes right through Ethiopia, endowing the country with some spectacular features that range from hot, dry, and barren places to a string of beautiful lakes. Volcanic activity, which greatly contributed to the formation of the Rift Valley, continues up to present times.
In Ethiopia, it finds expression in the presence of hot springs in many parts of the country, as well as volcanic cones in the Danakil Depression in the north-east.
Much further south, between and far below the two escarpments, ie the glittering watery jewels of Lake awasa, Lake Shala, Lake Abijatta, Lake Langano and Lake Ziway: Ethiopia’s Rift Valley Riviera.
LAKE ZIWAY
Some 160 kilometres south of Addis Ababa lies Ziway, the northernmost and largest lake in the chain which extends over 434 square kilometres. Its extensive aquatic vegetation attracts a variety of water birds. commonly seen and easily identified are the long-tailed cormorant, darter, and various herons and storks – including the distinctive saddlebill stork. Wading through the water lilies are long-toed marsh birds such as the greater jacana. The handsome African fish eagle, green pigeon, black-headed oriole, wood hoopoe and barbet are also Ziway residents.
Five islands dot the surface of the lake; at least three of thse were sites for mdieval churches.
LAKE LANGANO
The copper coloured Lake Langano is 210 kilometres south of Addis Ababa. This bilharziafree lake is a popular resort for swimming, aquatic sports, sunbathing, camping and bird-watching. along the shores cliff dwellers and acacia-inhabiting birds set up a noisy chatter, including fan tailed ravens and hornbills – most notably Hemprich’s hornbill. Helmet shrikes are also found in great number, alson with butcher-birds.
The 4 000 meter-high Arsi mountains to the east of Langano provide a lovely stage behind which the morning sun rises. Oromo women in the area sell copper or brass bracelets, bead necklaces and milk pots decorated with cowries shells.
LAKE ABIJATTA
Roughly parallel with Langano, but on the western side of the main north-south road, is Lake Abijatta – justly the most famous for its birdlife of all the Rift Valley lakes. This is a shallow lake, only 0 meters deep, lying in a gracelly-curved basin of land set amidst low hills. Its alkaline waters attract flamingos in their thousands – sky birds that, at human approach, rise from their feeding grounds along the shore into brilliant pink and red flight. Other bird species include African fish eagles, egyptian geese and white-necked cormorants, marabou storks and sacred ibis, various plover species and herons.
LAKE SHALAA
little to the south of Langano is Lake Shala. with a surface area of 409 square kilometres, the lake reaches a depth of up to 250 meters and is rimmed with jagged peaks and imposing rock formations that give it a rather strange and mysterious air. In the south-west corner of the lake is the mouth of a small stream that winds back into the hills under a canopy of giant wild fig trees and acacias. Here, tall Oromo herdsmen, with the handsome dignified bearing of biblical patriarchs, bring their cattle down to graze in surroundings of pastoral tranquillity. Lake Shala’s islands are used as breeding sties by many birds including the continent’s most important breeding colony of great white pelicans.
LAKE AWASA
The peaceful Lake Awasa lies just south of the town of Shashemene with the town of Awasa on its shore. A gentle chanin of mountains and a low plateaux surround the lake, opening to a wide, low bay in the south. Swampy bays are interspersed with volcanic rocks, sandy shores with bare rocky hills, and every formation of terrain imaginable can be found near Awasa.the lake – around 21 meters deep and 62 kilometres in circumference – teems with a great variety of fish and as elsewhere in the Rift Valley, many species of birds.A local fishing community, using small boats and simple nets and lures, thrives on the stock, as do many species of birds – storks and herons in particular which can be seen wading watchfully in the shallows.
