Awassa

Awassa is a vibrant and friendly city on the banks of a lake of the same name in the southern part of the Great Rift Valley. It is an excellent place to spend a day or two, especially as it has become more developed over the years along its beautiful shores and now offers many new and comfortable resorts.

The city centre has developed along a long main road – at one end stands a large and impressive Orthodox church and at the other, the lake. Here, young people stroll along the shady promenade lined with many simple but inviting bars and cafes – the best location to catch a sunset is directly under the trees at the waters edge. Not far away is the pier where small boats are available for tranquil trips across the lake. There’s a good chance to spot bathing hippos along the way as well.

It’s also worth a trip to the daily fish market, which is held each morning on the southern banks of the city’s shores. Here many small fishing boats are brought on the beach where hardworking young fishermen untangle the nets from the morning’s catch, which are then offered for sale just a few metres away. Dozens of large water birds encircle the hustle and bustle from a short distance away just waiting for something to become available for them to eat. Behind the scenes, guereza monkeys play around high in the treetops. The monkeys are used to people and have become quite tame, so much so that some will even eat directly from the hand.

The wooded shorelines around the lake are also wonderful for observing a variety of birdlife.

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