National park · Ethiopia
Abijatta Shalla Lakes National ParkAbijatta‑Shalla Lakes National Park
Enter the park for birdwatching: pay the entry fee (≈100 ETB), drive 3 h from Addis via Highway 6, and hike the lakeshore trail in the dry season (Oct–Mar) for best wildlife viewing.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
400 km² (154 sq mi)154 sq mi (400 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Ethiopia ↗Apply for the Ethiopian e-visa only on the official portal before you fly; visas on arrival have been suspended for most foreign visitors (check the current status for your passport).
- Ethiopia ↗Check your government's advice zone by zone before booking any domestic flight; in 2026 the UK and US advise against all travel to Amhara and Tigray, and the US also to Afar.
- Ethiopia ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention below about 2,000 m, altitude, and yellow fever — Ethiopia is itself a yellow fever risk country, so your next destination may ask for the certificate.
- Ethiopia ↗Confirm times in writing: local 'Ethiopian time' counts hours from about 6 am, so 2 o'clock local can mean 8 am.
- Southern Ethiopia ↗National parks (Nech Sar, Maze, Abijatta-Shalla) charge entry per person plus a vehicle fee and a mandatory local scout; bring birr in cash.
- Southern Ethiopia ↗In Omo Valley and Konso villages, ask before photographing people; payment for portraits is normal and is arranged through your guide.
At a glance
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Area
- 400 km² (154 sq mi)154 sq mi (400 km²)
- Park covers roughly 400 km² of alkaline lake basin and surrounding savanna; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Addis Ababa
Abijatta‑Shalla Lakes National Park protects two alkaline lakes that host large flamingo colonies, pelicans and other waterbirds, plus savanna wildlife such as warthogs and ostriches; it is reachable by a 3‑hour drive from Addis Ababa on Highway 6 and offers easy lakeshore trails for day‑trip birdwatching.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2005.
Size and age
400 km² (154 sq mi)154 sq mi (400 km²) · national park since 2005
Park covers roughly 400 km² of alkaline lake basin and surrounding savanna; figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Addis Ababa.
Why go
- Large alkaline lakes attract massive flamingo flocks and other waterbirds.
- Easy day‑trip wildlife spotting of warthogs, ostriches and pelicans.
- Scenic drive along Highway 6 between Lake Abijatta and Lake Shalla.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, clear skies.
- FebDry, good birding.
- MarEnd of dry season.
- AprStart of rains.
- MayIncreasing rain.
- JunRainy, roads slick.
- JulRainy, some mud.
- AugRainy, limited visibility.
- SepRainy, road conditions variable.
- OctDry returns, good birding.
- NovDry, comfortable.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlamingosOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Great white pelicansOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| WarthogsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| OstrichesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Addis Ababa
Drive 210 km (130 mi) via Modjo on the Addis‑Adama Expressway (≈3 h 15 min) or 228 km (142 mi) via Butajira (≈3 h 45 min).Drive 130 mi (210 km) via Modjo on the Addis‑Adama Expressway (≈3 h 15 min) or 142 mi (228 km) via Butajira (≈3 h 45 min).
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Ziway
Travel north 47 km (29 mi) on Highway 6; the park entrance lies between the two lakes.Travel north 29 mi (47 km) on Highway 6; the park entrance lies between the two lakes.
≈1 h
From Shashemene
Travel south 41 km (25 mi) on Highway 6 to the entrance.Travel south 25 mi (41 km) on Highway 6 to the entrance.
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | Gate, visitor information, access to both lakes. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Lake Abijatta shoreline | Birdwatching trail, mud flats, flamingo roosts. | Open, no guide needed. |
| Lake Shalla shoreline | Pelican colonies, fishing spots, walking paths. | Open, no guide needed. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the park entrance; lake positions approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | ETB 100–150 | person | Approximate 2026 estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Domestic animals not allowed inside the park.
- Camping
- No camping inside the park; stay in Ziway or Shashemene.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ziway hotels
Basic rooms, 30‑min drive to park entrance.
Near the park
Shashemene lodgings
Mid‑range hotels, 15‑min drive to entrance.
Safety
Road conditions medium
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance reachable by car; short, flat trails suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local hotels and buy food locally to support communities.
- Do not disturb bird colonies; keep to marked paths.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park?
Entry is about 100–150 ETB per person (2026 estimate, check with the gate).
What are the best hikes in Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park?
The lakeshore birdwalk along both lakes (2–3 h, easy) and the short sunset viewpoint trail at Lake Shalla are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park?
Dry months October to March give clear skies and good bird activity; the rainy season (June–September) can make roads muddy.
Are there accommodations inside the park?
No lodges are inside; stay in nearby Ziway or Shashemene, each within an hour’s drive.
Can I drive my own car into the park?
Yes, the entrance is on Highway 6; a ticket is required at the gate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park
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