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Others Attraction Areas

Hotsprings

Natural Hot Spring

The natural hot springs are very rare on the earth. But in the southern rift Valley areas, natural hot springs are available in different places for example Wondo genet hot springs, Gedabo hot springs. The chemical contents of the hot springs are highly valued for their therapeutic purposes. It is considered as one of the most ideal & amazing place for both domestic & foreign tourists.

Wondo Genet hot springs

Wondo genet hot springs are situated in SNNPRS in Sidama zone. It is located 37 km from Hawassa through Shashemene and 23 km through Wondo junction and also 17 km from shashemene. It is managed by the state owned Wabisheble Hotels branches. The hotel has relatively modern restaurants, guest rooms and luxurious swimming pool and shower are heated by natural hot water being spurted down from the mountains. in addition to this,  the area is covered with  green vegetation in habiting with an abundant birds &wild animals species.

Gedabo hot springs

The Gidabo hot spring water lays 41 km south to Hawassa on the main road to Yergalem. The Gidabo hot spring has bathrooms of deferent standards. A place Where people go to relax, enjoy and cleanup in naturally heated water. The area is covered with green vegetation consisting of monkey species and colobus monkey.

 

Important Bird Areas

The SNNPRS is fascinating region which is remarkable for its diverse plant and wildlife species. The region also endowed with diverse & peculiar (endemic) bird life. The most marvelous & recommended areas in the region for bird watchers include:-

 

 

-         The rift valley lakes (Hawass, Chamo, Abaya & Rudolf Lakes)

-         The national parks (Nechsar, Mago, Omo, Chebera Churchura, Maze, GibeSheleko & Loka Abaya National parks)

-         The highland massifs (Mogo, Guge, Garamba, &, Ambercho mountains)

-         The dense forest areas of Keffa, Sheka & Benchimaji zones

-         Wondogenet area in Sidama zone and

-         Lake Boyo in Hdeya zone. 

 

However, over 50% of all bird species have been recorded in the rift valley lake areas because of numerous aquatic & terrestrial habitats. The endemic bird of region include

  1. Wattled Ibis
  2. White-winged cliff-chat.
  3. Black-headed forest Oriole
  4. Thick-billed Raven
  5. Black winged lovebird

The best season for bird watching is from the beginning of September up to February. Between November & February migrant birds raise the bird population and widen species diversity as well. 


Lakes

The Southern Nation Nationality and Peoples Regional States SNNPRS Natural Attraction Areas

The SNNPRS has Natural attractions and an opportunity to attract many tourists around the world. Among the amazing natural tourist attractions of the regions is rift Valley, which is part of the famous east African rift valley. The valley passes through the southern region. It is the result of two parallel faults in the earth’s surface in distant geological times. The resultant effect of nature created many physical features in the region. Therefore these places could be great & unique tourist resources of the region. Some of which has embraced numerous rugged mountains, beautiful lakes , numerous species of birds,  aquatic animals, wild animals, rivers, caves & natural hot springs.

Lake Hawassa

Lake Hawassa, which is located about 275 km South of Addis Ababa. Its altitude varies from 680 meters to about 2940 meters above sea level and has total area, including the catchments area of 94 square kilometers. The lake has 16 Kilometers length, 9 Kilometers width and its maximum depth is 22 meters. Boating on the Hawassa Lake is an excellent chance to tourists to see the length & width of the lake in all direction and spectacular view of the sunset.

The lake with its mountainous background makes it one of the Ethiopian beautiful lakes. It is extremely rich in avifauna diversity and population than any other water bodies in the country .Many species of resident and migratory birds thrive on the lake and the surrounding vegetation. A grassy shore of the surrounding lake is convenient for walking, sightseeing and bird watching. A regular hobby for which the lake is famous, with its abundance of Storks and Herons ,mingling with kingfishers, Darters, Plovers, Wild ducks, Egyptian goose ,Crakes, and Cormorants, which create a colorful spectacle.

Amora Gedel

The lake side park called "amora Gedel", has very pretty views across the lake and the mountains beyond. It has got its name after the flock of Pelicans, Marabou’s stork, Hammer kop, Kingfisher and other birds soaring over the ground of the lake shore in search of fish lift over. Boats can be hired from local boat service providers based at the shore of the lake to visit the lake and surroundings, hippos as well as wetland birds.

Lake Abaya

Lake Abaya is situated 503km south of Addis-Ababa via Wolaita sodo to Arbaminch town.  It is the second largest lake in Ethiopia; it has 1,160 km2surface areas, with a length of 60 km and a maximum depth of 13 meters. The elevations are around 1235 masl.

Lake Chamo

Lake Chamo is approximately 26 kilometers long, with maximum depth of 10 meters and elevation of 1108 meter high. Many seasonal rivers are empting to the lake the major one is Kulfo River. Its surface area is 551km2 depending on season & rain fall. One of the indications is innumerable Nile crocodile and hippos in & around. Some crocodile have length of reaching up to 8 meters. Crocodile seek the warmth of the sun on the shore of Lake Chamo and they are so numerous so that the place is known as «crocodile market». Boating on the rift valley lakes is an excellent chance to tourists to see the length & width of the lake in all direction and spectacular view of the sunset.

Hare-Shetan Creater Lake

It is found 143km from south of Addis Abeba, 164 km from Hawassa. It has an elevation of  2192 masl .This deep and encircled lake is nested with in sheer of 120m high with a diameter of 880 m and   a depth of about 50m. Which it has very attractive environment with dense natural forests and diversified biodiversity. This site is very near to the main road of Addis Ababa to Hossana. It is amazing tourist attraction.

Lake boyo

Lake Boyo is situated in SNNPRS in Hadya zone. It is located in Shashego wereda ,Molicho kebele, via Hossana Butajira road, after driving 22 km. The lake covers an area of 3200 ha. Lake boyo is the best place for bird watchers.

Major Lakes

No.

 

Lake

 

Location

 

Area (sq.km)

Max. depth (m)

 

Altite

1

Hawasa

Sidama Zone

129

10

1675

2

Abaya

Gamo Gofa

/Wolayta/ Sidama  Zones

1160

13

1169

3

Chamo

Gamo Gofa Zone

551

10

1108

4

Turekana

Debub Omo zone

250-2000

 

500

5

Rudolf

Debub Omo zone

 

20

376

6

Hareshetan

Silte

 

 

 

7

Boyo

Hadeya

 

 

 


Rivers

Major River Basins

No

River

Origin

Destination

Zones Crossed

1

Gibe

Gurage

Debube Omo, Lake Rudolf

Oromiya NRS, Guraghe, Kemebata Tembaro, Kaffa, Shaka, Wolayta, Gamo Gofa ,Dawro, Benech Maji, Debub Omo, Konta, Konso

2

Gojeb

Kaffa

River Omo

KemebataTembaro, Wolayita, Dawro, KONTA Kaffa, Shaka, Dawro

3

Mago

Debub Omo Highlands

River Omo

Debub Omo

4

Segen

Segen area peoples

Lake Rudolf

Zones of Oromiya R.S, Konso, Debub Omo

5

Weito

Gamo Gofa

Segen River

Debub omo, Gamo Gofa

6

Akobo

Bench Maji

River Baro (Sobat)

Bench Maji, Ethio-Sudan Border

7

Dima

Bench Maji

Akobo River

Bench Maji

8

Muwi

Bench Maji

River Omo

Bench Maji

9

Kibish

Bench Maji

River  Omo

Bench Maji

10

Gidabo

Sidama

Lake Abaya

Sidama

11

Gelana

Gedeo

Lake Abaya

Gedeo-Amaro

12

Wabe

Guraghe

Ghibe

Guraghe

13

Walga

Oromiya

Ghibe

Guraghe

14

Meki

Guraghe

Lake Ziway

Guraghe

15

Bilate

Kemebata

Tembaro  Wolayita

Lake Abaya

Kemebata

Tembaro  Wolayta, ., Alaba, Hadiya

16

Gejet

Bench Maji

Gilo

Bench Maji

17

Beko

Kaffa , Shaka

Gilo

Bench Maji

18

Dijo

Guraghe

Lake Shala

Guraghe

19

Genale

Sidama

Juba River

Sidama, Oromiya R.S.


Waterfalls

The Ajora waterfalls

These Waterfalls are the most beautiful and attractive water falls in the region. These falls found between Wolita and KembatatembTmbaro zones .It lays to the west of the main asphalt road that runs from Addis Ababa to Wolita Sodo through Hossana. It is 52 kms drive from Wolita Wsodo and 46 kms from Durame town. The twin falls on the right is Ajacho and on the left is Soke which merges at the floor of gorge by falling above 200 mts of height and form Ajora river that finally drains into Omo river. It is very impressive to visit the fall and deep gorge formed rather they merged.

Logita water fall

It Is located in Sidama zone between Bensa & Bona zuria districts .This amazing waterfall lies close to the main road that goes from Hawassa to Daye town. The fall is found on the course of Logita river which is tributary of Genale river. It is 115 km from the regional capital Hawassa city. The beauty of the fall is the reeve berate sound of the fall and its rainbow is really astonishing for the visitors which brings an exotic memory.

Bonora Water fall

This Water fall is an amazing water fall which is found in Sidama zone at Bensa worda. It lies very close to Daye town with a distance of 134 kms from Hawassa. The fall is above 15 mts height with 30mts width. Besides its view, the inhabited deferent types of birds in the area make it very fascinating & enjoyable.

Barta water fall

It Is an enjoyable water fall which is situated in Kaffa zone near to Bonga town which is about 30 minutes walk to the left of the town across rugged & dense forest inhabited by diverse types of birds .The fall bursts   down from  about 120mts height . A beautiful rain bow casts over the steep cliff & ravine.

Sheksheko water fall & cave

This an entertaining water fall & cave  is situated in Sheka zone in Masha worda which lies left to the main road that runs from Masha to Gore town. It is about 676 kms from Addis Ababa and 951 kms from Hawassa. To visit this interesting water fall one has to travel 8km from Masha town by vehicle and 40 minutes walk on foot to the left of the main road. Beyond the water fall, there is an amazing natural cave and the surrounding dense forests make the site very spectacular and unforgettable memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Awassa Today & Tomorrow

Awassa, Ethiopia

Today, April 21, 2018
Sunrise: 06:15
Sunset: 18:34
12:00-18:00

Light rain

Light rain
22 °C

Tomorrow, April 22, 2018
Sunrise: 06:15
Sunset: 18:34
12:00-18:00

Cloudy

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21 °C

Weather forecast from yr.no, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the NRK

Featured Videos

Gedeo Coffee Site
Batena Cave
Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch
Lodges and Hotels
MOCHABO CAVE
Chamo Lake
Omo National Park
Nech Sar National Park
Abert Mosque
Wondogentet Hotspring
Arto Hotspring
Melisa Stela
Konso Villages
lower OMO Valley Paleo Anthyopoloical Site
Tiya Stelae
Cheba Tutiti Stela
Alkeso Mosque
Chebera Chuchura National Park (CCNP)
Lower Omo Ethinic Group

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