ethiopian lakes

8/3/2019 Ethiopian Lakes

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Of the numerous lakes available in Ethiopia few are here for your inspiration topack your things so that you shall come and see them

ETHI OPI AN

LAKES

Lake Tana

Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, is the

source and from where the famed Blue Nile startsits long journey to Khartoum, and on to the

Mediterranean. The 37 islands that are scattered

about the surface of the Lake shelter fascinating

churches and monasteries, some of which have

histories dating back to the 13th Century.

However, it should be noted that most of the

religious houses are not open to women. The

most interesting islands are: Birgida Mariam,

DagaEstefanous, Dek, Narga, Tana Cherkos,

Mitsele Fasiledes, Kebran and Debre Maryam.....

... Near Gorgora, at the northern end of the lake, the Susneyos palace

a forerunner of the magnificent palaces and castles of Gonder, and

ates from the reign of Emperor Suseneyos. In the same area the

edieval church of DebreSina Mariam is particularly important. A sail or

ruise on Lake Tana is one of the most pleasant excursions for visitors tohis region, particularly in the heart of the summer. Boats can be hired

om the Marine Transport Authority in Bahir Dar.Along the lakeshore

rdlife, both local and migratory visitors, make this an ideal place for

rdwatchers.

rd lovers will not want to miss Fasilides Island, which is especially

amous as an important wetland. The whole of the Lake Tana region and

he Blue Nile Gorge have a wide variety of birds both endemic and

sitors. The variety of habitats, from rocky crags to dense forests and

mportant wetlands, ensure that many other different species should be

potted.


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LAKEAWASSA

At about 275 km from Addis Ababa a gravel road on the right runs along the shore of Lake Awasa to

he two or three resort hotels. The luxury Awasa Hotel is the most comfortable. Simpler

ccommodation at the Bekele Mola Hotel and the more interesting Belle Vue du Lac (also withwimming pool and a tennis court) is quite adequate. Fishing and boating are favourite pastimes on

ake Awasa, although again the bird watching, if not as spectacular as Abyata, has its own special

ttractions.Chamo and Abaya Lakes

Far south in Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley are

wo marvellous lakes ringed by savannah

plains and smoke; mountain crests. By far

he largest of Ethiopia's Rift Valley lakes,

he 551-square-kilometre waters of Chamo

nd the 1,160-square-kilometre surface of

Abaya are considered by many to be also the

most beautiful. Indeed, few places on earth

an match the allure of their setting. Much

of this forms part of one of Ethiopia's finest

ational parks, NechSar, established as a

anctuary for the rare Swayne's hartebeest.

From the town of Arba Minch on the ridge ofand that divides Abaya and Chamo there are

ommanding views of the panorama all

round including both lakes with NechSar on

he eastern side and, to the west, the Guge

ange of mountains. Such is the outstanding

beauty of this viewpoint it has long been

known as the Bridge of Heaven. Equally

poetic, Arba Minch -meaning Forty Springs in

Amharic -takes its name from the bubbling

treams which spring up amid the

ndergrowth .of the luxuriant forest which

lothes the steep slopes beneath the

.....This region, more than 500

kilometres south of Addis

Ababa, is one of Ethiopia's last

great surviving wildernesses.

But an international hotel at

Arbaminch with high-quality

service and facilities ensures

the visitor enjoys the

splendours of nature in

comfort. This is an ideal base

from which to explore the

forested land between the

lakes, and the plains of

NechSar beyond where thesurviving herds of Swayne's

hartebeest, once in abundance,

and zebra and Grant's gazelle

roam the high savannah.....


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There's an air of untamed grandeur about all this that lingers

over the lakes and mountains. Alive with many species of fish -

the fighting tiger fishes, giant Nile perch, barbel, catfish andtilapia offering fine sport.

Chamo and Abaya are an angler's paradise. In the

reed-fringed bays of Chamo's sparkling aquamarine

waters hundreds of hippos emerge at night to graze on

the grassy shores. Chamo is also sanctuary for several

thousand Nile crocodile, some reaching lengths of up

to seven metres from snout to tip of tail.

BirdsHere the balance between predator and prey remains in

equilibrium; birdlife flourishes in equal proportion: hordes of

yellow weaver birds flit constantly through the trees, and

vividly-coloured kingfishers skim the lakes where Great White

pelicans, storks; ibises, hornbills and cormorants plumb the

waters for food. With piercing echoing cries, black and white

fish eagles swoop down from their tree perches to snatch up

unwary fish in their talons.

People around the LakesThe shores and islands of Abaya and Chamo are populated by

farming peoples such as the Ganjule and the Guji, both of

whom also have ancient traditions of hippo hunting. The Guji

ply the waters of lake Abaya in high-prowled am batch boats

similar to those depicted on the tombs of the ancient Egyptian

Pharaohs. South-west of the lakes in the direction of Jinka, the

traveller comes to the homeland of the Konso who practice an

intensive form of agriculture on intricately-terraced hillsides.

The Konso have a rich indigenous culture that finds expression

in haunting music and dance, and in the weaving of beautiful

thick cotton blankets. Another distinctive people of the region

around Lakes Chamo and Abaya are the Dorze, once warriors,

who have now turned to farming and weaving. They produce

the colourful toga-like robes known as shammas which are worn

throughout Ethiopia. Though there's a large Dorze population

around Arba Minch itself, their traditional homeland is further

to the north around Chencha, high up in the Guge mountain

range overlooking the lakes and the Bridge of Heaven.....


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....The brief, 26-kilometre drive from Arba Minch up to Chencha involves a remarkable transition climbing

rom the lush, tropical forests of the lowland, through bamboo at around 2,500 metres, into stands of

uniper laced with Spanish moss where cold fingers of cloud grasp the ancient limbs of the trees and the air

s chill and bracing. Dorze villages are classic example of simple architecture, unlike anything seen

elsewhere in Ethiopia -towering beehive-shaped structures reaching up to 12 metres high, the interiors dark

but spacious and airy with floors of pressed earth.

The vaulted ceiling walls are covered with an elegant thatch of enset (false banana) to form a smooth and

unbroken convex dome. Each home stand in its own grounds surrounded by smaller but similar houses: guest

house; cow-shed, kitchen and perhaps even a workshop for weaving or other work. Northwards from

Chencha, leaving Lake Abaya behind -and with it the wilderness -the traveller eventually comes to the

bustling market town of Sodo, which stands on the border between the regions of Gamo Gofa, Sidamo and

Kaffa. This is one of Ethiopia's premier coffee-growing areas and, quite possibly, the original home of the

coffee plant where, the first trees grew wild before being cultivated and then, in the 14th century, taken

o Yemen and from there across the world.

Lake LanganoAt the Horacallo Bridge it is possible to turn left along a track which leads to

the lake. There are good camping spots here along the northern shore

however; the main track to the lake is at about 210 and 215 kms leading left

to the WabeShebele and BekeleMola Hotels, beach and camping ground

respectively.

The soft brown waters of Langano are set against the blue backdrop of the Arsi

Mountains soaring4,000 metres high. A few birds make Langano their home butthis resort is less for the nature lover than sportsman and sun worshipper.

Here you can water-ski and sail, swim or bask in the blazing sun on the sloping

sandy beach. European food is served in the hotel restaurant but the tilapia is

good and cooking freshly caught fish over the camp fire has its own special

attraction. The local Oromo women are often prepared to sell jewellery or

utensils; copper bracelets or brass; bead necklaces and cowries shell

decorated milk pots.


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Before reaching the turnoff to Langano lake, the road passes over the Bulbula river. Just before the bridge

nd the village, there is a track to the right (at the top of the slope) which leads to the lake edge. At

ertain times of the year the greatest congregation of birds is to be found here. However, before the next

ridge, over the Horacallo river (connecting Lakes Langano and Abyata) a turning to the right leads to themore usual area of exceptional bird viewing.

Thousands of flamingos create pink carpets in the blue bays of the lake; great white pelicans soar in from

ake Shala to enjoy the fishing and execute their fantastic ballet; pied kingfishers hover and dive; fish

agles protect their territory with their eerie cry; cormorants and darters fill the dead acacia trees

ilhouetting strange and beautiful shapes against the sunset. Here are tall marabous, sacred ibis, dwell

ometimes in the hundreds of thousands, snipe, stilt, avocet, and the black heron searching the shallow

water in the shadow created by his black umbrella.

ake Zquala

A huge volcanic cone set isolated in the surrounding plain and rising 600m Zuqualas crater is still perfectly

reserved. Two kilometres across and sixty meters deep the crater is occupied by a shallow lake, well

nown as a holy lake. For many centuries the rim has been the site of a monastery. Mohammed Gragn

estroyed one of the buildings but it was rebuilt and is still in use today. The inside rim of the crater is

overed with juniper forest, the frequent swirling mists encourage a heavy growth of trailing lichens and the

eautiful black and white colobus monkey can sometimes be seen, adding yet another dimension to this

lready picturesque place. To get to Zuquala, it is possible to turn off the Addis Ababa-Bishoftu road at

Dukem 35 km. from the city, or to turn off near Bishoftu at Dirray. The latter is probably the more used

rack at the present time; it is about three hours walk or fifty minutes drive to Wember Mariam at the base

f the mountain. It is possible to drive to the top, but check conditions before driving it as it can be a

ifficult road.

ake Zway

ake Zway is 26 km. long and 18km, wide and several islands dot the surface of the largest of the five lakes.

There are several turnoffs leading to the lake shore Tall fig trees line the original shore, but in recent years

he level of the lake has dropped to such an extent that several hundred metres of grassland and reeds

ome between you and the water. Marabou storks roost on the tops of the acacias in the evenings, and many

ther birds have made the grassy stretch their feeding area. On the north side of the lake where the Meki

iver flows in lies Hippopotamus Bay. To reach the far shore or any of the islands it is necessary to bring a

oat

ethiopian lakes

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