Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park

The park features two alkaline lakes: Lake Abijatta and Lake Shalla. Lake Abijatta is very shallow (up to 14 meters deep) with an area of approximately 19,600 hectares and a 60-kilometer shoreline, while Lake Shalla is much deeper (up to 266 meters) and sits in the crater of an extinct volcano. Both lakes are without natural outlets and contain alkaline water, creating unique ecosystems that support specialized flora and fauna, particularly flamingoes and other alkaline-tolerant bird species.

Lake Abijatta has shrunk significantly since the 1990s primarily due to water extraction for two main purposes: feeding a soda-ash extraction plant and irrigation from the Bulbula River. This water removal has caused dramatic ecological changes, including the disappearance of fish populations and a consequent decline in fish-eating bird species that previously thrived in the lake.

The dry seasons (October to February and June to August) offer the best bird-watching opportunities, as water levels concentrate bird species around the lakes. During these periods, flamingoes and wading birds are particularly abundant. Early morning visits provide optimal viewing conditions when birds are most active. Migratory species also visit during transitional seasons, making the park rewarding for ornithologists throughout the year.

Yes, the park hosts several endemic and near-endemic species. The black-winged lovebird is an endemic species known only in Ethiopia. White-winged cliff chat and white-billed starling are near-endemic species found within the park's habitat. The park also records unusual visitors including various sandpiper species, crowned cranes, and other Afrotropical Highland biome species.

The park's most significant geological features include Mount Fike (the highest peak at 2,075 meters elevation) situated between the two lakes, and the O'a Caldera volcanic system that created the alkaline lakes. The park's altitude ranges from 1,540 to 2,075 meters, and hot springs on the northeast corner of Lake Abijatta add to its geological interest. The thin crust around the lake edges requires careful vehicle navigation due to their fragile nature.