Abyssinian Tours & Travel

IV. THE SOUTHERN ROUTE AND THE RIFT VALLEY LAKES

Much of Africa's volcanic activity is concentrated along the immense 2800km long crack in the Earth's crust known as the Rift Valley. Without doubt, the greatest valley in the World. It was created as a result of two roughly parallel faults in the Earth's surface in a distant geological time. Gradually the crust was weakened and the land subsided. Between the escarpment or massifs far below lie the glittering water jewels of lakes, seven in number. Theses lakes have their own special life and character and provide ideal habitats, a variety of flora and fauna which makes the region such a delight for naturalists and tourists.

ABIYATA AND LANGANO
Tour Code No:- ATT-2012
Duration:- 1 Night/2 day

Day 1 Leave Addis Ababa, drive via Debre Zeit towards Modjo and continue to lake Zwai. Here you stop for a few minutes sightseeing and proceed to Lake Abiyata(home for hundreds of pink colored flamingos, pelicans and Africans storks). Lunch en-route. After lunch a short swim in lake Langano. Dinner and overnight at Langano.
Day 2 Enjoy lake Langano which is popular for various water sports-swimming, sunbathing and camping along the sandy beaches of the only swimmable lake. This lake is haven for birds as cormorants, pelicans, hornbills, ducks, vultures, gulls and various species of wood land birds. After refreshments, drive back to Addis Ababa. Lunch en route, dinner and overnight Addis Ababa.

ABIYATA, LANGANO AND AWASSA
Tour Code No:- ATT-2013
Duration:- 1 Night/2 Days

The great Rift Valley's passage through Ethiopia is marked by a chain of seven lakes fed by many rivers from both sides. Lake Abiyata is situated in the heart of the Rift valley lakes National Park established for conservation of bird life. The park extends over an area of 800 sq.km. It comprises of both lakes Abiyata and Shalla and the surrounding land. The park is a bird sanctuary and wet land reserve in the great Rift valley. Lunch en route.

The drive from Addis Ababa to Langano takes about four hours. There are two points of entry to the lake. One is at about 195 kms from the capital, with roads on each side of a bridge, over the small stream of Haraqelo. These roads lead to camping areas along the North shore. On the North-East is a small bay warmed by hot springs that flow from an island near the shore. Dinner and overnight Langano. In the morning drive down to Lake Awassa to the smallest lake of the Rift valley chain. It is one of the remarkable lakes for bird watchers. Various species of birds such as marabou storks, herons, pelicans ducks, darters, geese, crakes, cormorants, king fishers, hammer kops, African fish eagle and much more could be seen. After lunch drive back to Addis Ababa.