Abijatta-Shalla National Park

Abijatta-Shalla National Park is located at 200 kilometers south of Addis Ababa to the east of the Ziway - Shashemene highway, it contains 887 square kilometers including the Rift Valley lakes of Abijatta and Shalla. The two lakes are separated by three kilometers of hilly land.

Wildlife:

Few wild animals currently can be viewed. Several ostriches are kept in a fenced enclosure near the gate house.

Lake Abijatta

Maximum length =17 kilometers.
Maximum width =15 kilometers.
Surface area = 205 square kilometers.
Maximum depth = 14 meters.
Surface elevation =1573 meters.

The lake is 17km long and 15km wide, with a surface area of 205 square km. It has a maximum depth of 14meters and is at an elevation of 1573 meters. Along the north eastern corner of the lake, a number of hot springs is to found, important both as a tourist attraction and to local inhabitants.

Lake Shalla

Max length = 28 kilometers.
Max Width = 12kilometers.
Surface area = 409 square kilometers.
Maximum Depth =  250 meters.
Surface elevation = 1567 meters

Lake Shalla lies in the Abijatta- Shalla National park. It is 28 kilometers long and 12 kilometers wide, with a surface area of 409 square kilometers. The lake has a maximum depth of 250 meters and is at an elevation of 1567 meters. Lake Shalla is known for surphur springs on its bed, and white pelicans. The lake is surrounded by hot springs filled with boiling water, and the earth surrounding the lake is filled with cracks due to erosion and earth quakes.  Due to steam rising from the boiling water in the springs, the atmosphere around the lake is relatively foggy. At the southern end of the lake, there are various species of flamingos and birds that frequent the lake.