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
|
Abaya
|
Gamo Gofa
/Wolayta Zones
|
1160
|
13
|
1169
|
2
|
Chamo
|
Gamo Gofa Zone
|
551
|
10
|
1108
|
3
|
Turekana
|
Debub Omo zone
|
250-2000
|
|
500
|
4
|
Rudolf
|
Debub Omo zone
|
|
20
|
376
|
5
|
Hareshetan
|
Silte
|
|
|
|
6
|
Boyo
|
Hadeya
|
|
|
|