Escape to the Great Rift Valley and enjoy a relaxing getaway in Awasa. The town is perched on the eastern banks of Lake Awasa, where you can spot resident hippos basking in the shallows and waterbirds grazing on the shoreline. Rugged mountains tower over the coffee-coloured lake and form a picturesque backdrop.
Things to do in Awassa
Explore jungle-covered trails in Amora Gedel National Park. With a footprint of less than one square kilometre, it’s one of the smallest national parks in Africa. Don’t let its size put you off. The park is home to a variety of animals, including black-and-white colobus monkeys. Look for them perched in the branches of the enormous fig trees.
Lake Awasa is home to one of the largest hippo populations in Ethiopia. Boat tours are a fun and safe way to get closer to the enormous mammals. Climb into a colourful boat and spot them lounging in the sun and wading through the reeds.
Get up close with endangered African antelopes at Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary. Walking and driving trails wind through the savannah and take you past herds of beautiful antelope. There’s also a chance to see baboons, warthogs and vervet monkeys. Climb Borena Hill for sweeping views over the grass-covered plains and Lake Awasa. Allow more time to explore the lakes and hot springs located further into the park.
Stroll along the breezy lakeside trail and watch fishermen launching traditional papyrus rafts. Rustic cafes and restaurants dot the shoreline and serve full-bodied Ethiopian coffee and local snacks like fried fish, “tibs” pan-fried beef strips and “kolo” roasted grains. Vegetarians love “beyainatu”, a local dish featuring a rainbow of different curries.
Getting around Awassa
Awasa is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The town is a five-hour drive from Addis Ababa and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.