Year of Establishment: 1970 G.C
Area: 887sq.km, including the Rift Valley lakes of Abijatta and
Shalla
Found: in Oromiya region 220 km away from Addis Ababa to the east of
the Ziway- Shashamene highway
Key species: white Pelican, Greater and lesser Flamingoes, African
fish eagle
Unique physical feature: Abijita, Shala (the deepest lake in Africa)
and Chitu lakes, hot springs bubbling around lake Shala.
General description: The two lakes are separated by three kilometers
of hilly land. Although its intent was to protect wildlife, few wild
animals can be viewed there. There were, nevertheless, quite a few
bird species in evidence. Park personnel said the national
government was working on a plan to resettle the nomads somewhere
outside the park, but this plan seemed rather indefinite.
Besides the two lakes, the primary attraction of this national park are a number of hot springs on the northeast corner of Lake Abijatta, and large numbers of flamingoes on the lake.
Visitor facilities: Hotels (Government and private) and camping on
nearby lake Langano, self catering rest house at Gike. (Tour
itinerary)