Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Abiata-Shala Lakes National Park
West of Lake Langano lie the
twin lakes of Abiata and Shala
, which form part of the
887-sq-km
national park
(admission per person per day Birr90, vehicle Birr20, mandat-
ory scout Birr70)
. Identical twins these lakes are not: Shala's 410-sq-km surface sits with-
in a collapsed volcanic caldera and depths exceed 260m in some areas, making it the
deepest lake in Ethiopia, while Abiata's highly alkaline waters rest in a shallow pan no
more than 14m in depth. And Abiata is shrinking dramatically as water is diverted to irrig-
ation projects and a soda-ash factory. The increased salinity has killed off the fish and
forced most birds to go elsewhere to feed.
