Introduction
Oromia is blessed with a number of natural attractions. Besides the
large and endemic varieties of fauna and bird species of the Awash and
Bale mountains National Park, the Rift-Valley Lakes of the region are
places where sports, sunbathing and bird watching tours could be accomplished.
The hot springs in Walliso and Sodere are popular attraction sites for
their medicinal and recreational value.
There are around 800 bird species and more than 100 wild animals in
the region. Moreover, the topographical spectacles of the region along
with its lakes, caves, waterfalls, mountains and natural forests makes
Oromia a perfect tourist destination.
Major Natural Attractions
National Parks, Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserves
Awash National Park
The park covers an area of 756 sq. km. It is situated at 225 kms south
east of Addis Ababa on the highway leading to Asseb and Hrarghe. Established
in 1996, the Awash National Park is the oldest and relatively the most
developed wildlife reserve in the country. The park is entirely established
on the plain of the Rift Valley. With the exception of 600m high Mountain
Fantalle, the park area is predominantly covered with acacia trees and
Savannah land. There are 46 major species of mammals and 453 species
of birds in the park.
Shalla-Abjata National Park
The park is located in East Shewa Zone of Oromia Region and covers a
total area of 887 sq. km. This park hosts about 31 species of mammals
such as Spotted Hyena, Golden and Black Backed Jackals, Olive Baboon,
Grant’s gazelle, etc., and 367 species of birds. Myriad of endemic
and exotic birds that come from Europe and different parts of the world
congregate here in at lake Abaijata.
Bale Mountains National Park
Bale Mountains National Park is a magnificent high altitude plateau
with numerous dramatic volcanic plugs, seasonal tiny alpine lakes and
cascading mountain streams. Located at about 400 km from Addis Ababa,
the park covers over an area of 2,400 sq. km of land including the Harrena
natural forest. Being the largest Afro Alpine habitat park in Africa,
Bale mountain National park offers a number of attractions which include
about 46 mammals, 200 bird species and unspoiled vegetation of wonderland.
Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary
The Yabello wildlife sanctuary is located in Borana Zone of Oromia Regional
State. The sanctuary is originally established for the protection of
Swayne’s Hartebeest, but it has become a Burchrll’s Zebra
habitat. The sanctuary, with an area of 2496 sq. kms is 17 km away from
east of the nearby town Yabello or 205 km from Moyale town. This Savannah/acacia
habitat is a home of a large number of zebra, greater and lesser Kudu,
Gerenuk, and other mammals and of about 194 species of birds.
Sankalle Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sankalle wildlife sanctuary is located in Western Shawa Zone of
Oromia Region at Sankalle, 5 km from Ambo town. The sanctuary was mainly
for the endemic Swayne's hartebeest. Like many other national parks
and conservation areas, it has an acute shortage of staff, both administrative
and professional.
Babile Elephant Sanctuary
The Babile elephant sanctuary is situated South East of Harar and South
of Babbile town. It covers a large area of 6,982 sq. km. The sanctuary
was initially set up for the conservation of the endemic elephant sub-specie
(Loxdonta Africana Oleansie). Apart from elephant, the semi arid and
wood land sanctuary is believed to cotain a number of mammals including
black manned lion, Kudu (greater and lesser), wild ass, and others.
Dhedhessa Wildlife Reserve
Dhedhessa proposed wildlife reserve is along the all weather road from
Naqamte to Baddalle. The proposed area for conservation covers about
1, 333 sq.kms with water shed of more than 14 small streams, about 54
plant species, 30 mammal species and a number of birds. The animals
include hippopotamus, crocodile, buffaloes and gazelles which are the
big mammals of the reserve while lions are occasionally seen in the
area. Because of relative intactness of the flora and fauna in the area
the reserve provide wide opportunity of viewing scenic beauty, mammals,
birds and reptiles.
Lakes
Lake Wanchi
The picturesque lake Wanchi is situated 27 km away southwest of Ambo
on the left side of the gravel road to Waliso. The lake lies in unique
and irregular shaped basin surrounded by chain of circular height (3386
m at peak) covered by greenish alpine vegetation. This coupled with
its islands and clear water (560 ha.in area) make the area most attractive.
Moreover, the attractive patches of forests in the gullies that descends
to the lake, the mammals and birds species that inhabit the alpine vegetation
are among the attractions in the area.
Lake Hora Arsade Resort
Lake Hora Arsade, the oldest known lake resort in Bishoftu town is only
2 kms drive from the center of the town. Situated in a deep basin, Hora
Lake is 1.06 sq.km in area and its maxium depth is 37 meters. It has
a number of major attractions which include watching of bird species
and the popular Irrecha(thaks giving ceremony) site on the eastern shore
of the lake, where the Oromo traditional spiritual festival is conducted
mainly once a year towards the end of September.
Lake Bishoftu
It is 0.92 sq.km inarea and its maximum depth is 85 meters. It is probably
the deepest of the surrounding lakes. The attractive feature of the
lake is its scenic beauty. The beautiful surrounding rocky steep also
invites for sight seeing and adventure.
Lake Babbogayya and Lake Kurriftu
Lake Babbogayya is nearly of the same size but much deeper than Hora.
It is 0.85 sq.km wide and 62 meters deep. It is 4 kms northwest of Hora
Lake. Lake Kurriftu, north east of Hora, is smaller than Babbogayya
in size but has pure water. In these lakes fishes and water birds like
ducks and geese are common.
Lake Kilole and Lake Magarisa
Kilole Lake is 12 kms drive north east of Bishoftu town. It is encircled
by a mountain ridge in part on its western side and open on the eastern
side. A lot of birds are observed in and around this lake. Lake Magarisa,
meaning, “Green Lake”, is about 9 km south of Bishoftu.
The lake looks green because of its algae formation seen against the
background of the nearby mountain chain.
Lake Dambal (Batu)
Lake Dambal, 160 km from Addis Ababa, is the largest of the Rift Valley
lakes with an area of 434 sq. kms and a maximum depth of 4 kms. The
shores of the lake are marshy, shaded by sycamores and reeds which provide
a feeding ground for aquatic birds. The lake is doted by several islands
of which Tullu Guddo Island is accessible by boat via Asalla or Batu
towns.
Lake Langano (Resort Area)
Located at 215 km from Addis Ababa lake Langano lies in an irregular
shaped basin a perimeter of 62 km, an area of 305 sq.kms and a depth
of 30 meters in certain parts. Langano is a soft brown in color and
is an ideal spot for water sports. It is a relatively developed and
popular resort of all lakes’ region with good catering and accommodation
services.
Caves
Achare and Aynage Caves
Both caves are newly discovered in Daro Labu district of West Hararghe
Zone, at about 89 km west of Chiro town. Officially discovered in 1995/96
by a British caving expedition from Hudders Field University caving
club known by the name “Cave Ethiopia”, both Achare and
aynage Caves are thought to be the ancient and the second biggest caves
in Ethipia next to Sof Umar Cave.
Sof Umar Cave
Sof Umar Cave, one of the world’s biggest, Africa’s largest
cave, and marvelous underground world is located in Goro district of
Bale Zone, Oromia Region, at a distance of 110 km from Robe, the Zone’s
capital and 40 kms from the nearest town, Goro. Among its major attraction
features are the 42 internal entrances and its total passages distance
of 16 km, its 1.7 kms tourist line, which crosses the river seven times
and takes tourists about an hour’s walking.
Hot Springs
Ambo Hot Springs
Situated 125 kms west of Addis Ababa, the capital of West Shawa Zone,
Ambo, is famed for its hot springs and mineral water. Spa bath and swimming
has been recreational therapeutic attraction for a long holiday makers
and weekend visitors.
Waliso SPA
Waliso, a town at 116 km on Djimma road, is known for its spa recreation.
This spa recreation renders activities like swimming, thermal bath of
curative effect, etc.
Sodere Spa Resort
Sodere resort, 27 kms from Adama, is by far the most developed spa resort
center in Ethiopia/Oromia. The Awash River and its reverine vegetation
add much to the beauty of the resort. Its main offers include swimming,
hot baths in rooms or in open air, trekking, fishing and the warm climate
and the beautiful scenery.
Garagadi Hot Springs
Garagadi, which is about 14 kms North West of Adama near the town and
the sugar cane estate of Wanji, is situated on a plain between a hill
to the West and Awash \river to the East at a distance of half km from
Wanji there are about 16 hot springs of different volume in the area
and the water coming from the springs gets concentrated in general basins
which could serve both for health problems like muscular contraction
and respiration.
Waterfalls
Bareda and Angar Waterfalls
Bareda waterfall is 88 km drive from Naqamte through Angar farm station
while the Angar attractive waterfall is at 10 km drive from the farm
station.
Bareda, which means beautiful in Afan Oromo, depicts the neatness and
dazzling white colour of the beautiful waterfall formed by the gushing
water which emerges from a natural chamber of rock of about 25 meters
height and foams into a hollow surface forming a fascinating view.
Sor Waterfall
Mattu, the capital of Ilu Abba Bora Zone, is situated at 600 km from
Addis Ababa. A tour at the southern edge of Mattu, on the left side
of the main road from Mattu to Gore, leads visitors to reach the nearest
site to Sor Waterfall (27 km from Mattu). Quarter an hour down walk
through forest and coffee plantation, on a narrow path, will take the
visitors to one of Ethiopia’s most magnificent and delightful
waterfalls of Sor River which pours over the lip of a broad chasm over
20 meters deep. This natural amphi theater, heavily overgrown with tree
ferns and grasses, forms a delightful spot to savor the primal atmosphere
of Ilu Abba Bora Zone and the scenic beauty of the waterfall. The intact
natural vegetation and wildlife that took shelters in it enhance its
attraction for sight seeing.
Awash Waterfall
The Awash River at the end of its slow and quite flowing in relatively
plain surface suddenly drops into a gorge where the waters hit the bottom
basaltic rocks to form smoky waterfalls that offer a delightful sensation.
It is one of the major tourist attractions available in the Awash National
Park.
Mugar Valley and Darba Waterfall
At 40 km on the Addis-Gojjam highway there is a small town known as
Chancho. At Chancho, an all weather road detours to left and extends
for 15 km up to the tip of Mugar Valley escarpment where Mugar cement
factory is located. The valley is formed at a merging point of two big
gorges creating a site of fantastic natural scenery. Darba river fall
is situated in this valley just at walking distance from the cement
factory. Being seasonal waterfall, Darba could be observed best during
the peak months of river volume, July through October. Mugar Valley
and the Waterfall offer visitors quite fascinating view and Darba waterfall
is assumed as the longest waterfall in Africa.
In addition, the Oromia region possessed a number of exotic topographs,
beautiful landscapes, attractive natural forests and fascinating mountains
all over the region that can attract tourists.
