Lake Ziway Lake

Address: Lake Ziway (Ziway Shalla), near Ziway town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Hours: Open access (no set hours)

Admission: Free (public lake); some boat tours and fishing may have fees

Lake Ziway is a freshwater rift-valley lake in central Ethiopia, situated in the Ethiopian Rift close to the town of Ziway. It is an important local resource for fishing and irrigation.

The lake contains several wooded islands with religious sites and small settlements; it also supports productive fisheries and diverse waterbird populations. Shorelines are used for agriculture and small-scale boat fishing, and the lake is commonly reached from nearby towns for birdwatching and local commerce.

Lake Ziway is a geological product of the East African Rift system and has long been exploited by surrounding communities for fish and irrigation. Islands in the lake have hosted religious buildings and local shrines for several centuries.

The lake sits in the Rift Valley close to the town of Ziway in central Ethiopia, within driving distance south of Addis Ababa. The surrounding landscape is low-lying rift plain with agricultural use along the shores.

• Birdlife: Noted for abundant waterbirds including pelicans, ibises and various migratory species, making it a frequent stop for local birdwatchers.
• Proximity to Addis Ababa: Located close to the town of Ziway, roughly 160 kilometres south of Addis Ababa by road and commonly visited on day trips from the capital.

What to See#

• Tulu Gudo island: A wooded island that hosts historic religious structures and local shrines; the island is one of several in the lake and is known locally for monastery remains and ritual sites.

Lake Ziway (Ethiopia) sits close to the town of Ziway (also called Batu) in Oromia. Regular minibuses and coach services run south from Addis Ababa to Ziway along the main highway (the Addis-Hawassa corridor); the road distance is roughly 150-170 km and the trip typically takes about 3-4 hours by road. Once in Ziway town the lakeshore and boat landing sites are a short taxi or boda ride away.

• Launch boat trips from Ziway (Batu) early in the morning for calmer water and the best chance to see cormorant and pelican colonies on the islands such as Tulu Gudo.
• Hire a local fisherman or small-boat operator for a private island landing or tailored birdwatching trip rather than joining the busiest public launches.
• Pair a boat outing with a visit to the lakeside fish market in Ziway town to observe local fishing activity and local cuisine related to the lake-many visitors skip the market and miss that cultural element.