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Lake Awasa
ℹ️Practical info — Lake Awasa
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Lake Awasa is a sparkling jewel in Ethiopia's Rift Valley, offering a serene atmosphere and impressive natural beauty. Visitors are drawn to the lake primarily for its remarkable birdwatching opportunities. The shores teem with diverse avian species, including marabou storks, pelicans, and kingfishers, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. A morning walk along the waterfront reveals an array of wildlife, including playful colobus monkeys in the nearby trees. The cultural highlight of Lake Awasa is the daily fish market, locally known as Amora Gedel. Here, fishermen bring in their fresh catch of tilapia and catfish, which are immediately sold or cooked on the spot. Experiencing this lively market and tasting the freshly prepared fish soup with injera is a must-do culinary adventure. Boat trips on the lake offer peaceful views and the chance to spot hippopotamuses. The city of Hawassa, which borders the lake, is accessible via a smooth, modern highway from Addis Ababa, taking about four hours by car or bus. The climate is generally mild, but the best time to visit is from September to March, immediately following the rainy season when the surrounding vegetation is lush and the lake's water levels are high.
- Location: Ethiopia
- Nearby: Wondo Genet (20 km)
- Population: ~422.200 (2025)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Rain mm | 20 | 39 | 96 | 219 | 214 | 114 | 132 | 174 | 167 | 141 | 83 | 33 |
Geography
Facts
- Lake Awasa is an endorheic freshwater lake.
- It is a major center for Ethiopia's fishing industry.
- The daily Amora Gedel fish market is a major attraction.
- The lake is home to abundant birdlife, including pelicans and marabou storks.
- Hippopotamuses can often be spotted during boat trips.
- Hawassa city, on its eastern shore, is a fast-growing regional capital.
- The lake measures roughly 16 km long and 9 km wide.
- Black-and-white colobus monkeys inhabit the surrounding trees.
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Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Lake Awasa (1)
Frequently asked questions
Lake Awasa: where is it located?
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Lake Awasa: why is it worth visiting?
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