Oromia | Culture and Tourism

Oromia Regional State is endowed with natural and man made lakes that have astonishing scenery and great beauty. Many of them are found within some kilometers distance from the major towns of Oromia.

Natural Lakes

Lakes Langanno, Abijata, Shalla, Dambal / Zuway, Basaka, Chitu, are the popular ones among which Langanno is the most. Lake Langanno, which lies in an irregular shaped basin with a perimeter of 62 km, is a resort area situated at about 218 km south of Addis. The beach at Langanno is the most amazing natural wander.

Abijata and Shalla are found within the heart of Abijata-Shalla National Park. They are found at about 215 km south of the Capital. They are reputed as one of the bird watchers ground in Africa. Abijata-Shalla was 887 km2 in area coverage out of which 482 km2 is covered with water.

Lake Dambal / Zuway is located to the left of the Ethio-Kenya international asphalt road near Batu/Zuway town which is some 160 km away from Addis. It has total area coverage of some 434 sq. km.

Lake Awassa is partially found in Oromia Regional State where most part of it is located in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State (SNNPS). Hence, Lake Awassa (from the part of Oromia) is again found before crossing a small river called Tikur Wuha. The Lake is found adjacent to Awassa town, the regional capital of SNNPS. It is a lake with the investment potential for river side recreation and lodges.

Generally, the rift valley region is, especially covered with volcanic eruptions and lakes. For instance, if one drives some forty kilometers south of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, a city the Oromo people call Finfinne, he finds seven lakes. These lakes, namely Hora Arsade, Bushoftu, Babbogayya, Kurruftu, Kilole, Magarisa, are found surrounding the Bushoftu town. Lake Chukala, a crater lake found at the extreme tip of Mount Chukala is also found some five kilometers away from the fast growing Dukem town. Each of these lakes has their own special beauty being admired by lots of visitors for so long.

Artificial Lakes

There are man made lakes such as the one created from the dam of Gilgel Gibe hydroelectric power station and recently named Gilgel Gibe Lake. Koka dam’s lake is also one of the forerunning artificial lakes created in Ethiopia. The other non-natural lakes are the ones found adjacent to Nekemte town of East Wollegga zonal section and Fincha Lake established near Fincha Hydroelectric Plant of the Horro Guduru Wollegga zone. They have able to pull lots of endemic, international and other birds from different areas. The surrounding areas of these lakes are covered with forests and have beautiful landscape.