Lake Awassa

Lake Awassa, one of the most beautiful lakes to visit and one of the best fishing lakes in Ethiopia, is located 270 kilometers south of Addis Abeba and is the smallest of the Rift Valley lakes. However, Lake Awassa is one of Ethiopia's favorite areas to watch hippos. Hippos hide among the grass-green reeds that flourish along the broad coastlines. Some hippos bask in the sun, while others contort and twist as they swim deeper into the lake, spreading waves into the already rough waters.

If you visit Lake Awassa, make sure to stop at the local fish market on the western coast. The market's hustle and bustle are tangible, as is the din of locals haggling. The fishing market has been in operation for generations, and viewing it on land provides an authentic look at how the inhabitants live. The Awassa Fish Market is well-known in the Rift Valley; it's hectic and untidy, but the fish soup is second to none.

A little woodland just beyond the fish market is home to black and white Colobus monkeys. Place a piece of bread in your palm and stand beneath the trees; the monkeys will jump on to get the treats!