Ethiopia's most accessible major journey — a superb 275 km route through the Great Rift Valley past lakes alive with flamingos, pelicans and hippos, ending at one of the country's most enjoyable lakeside cities.
Addis Ababa to Hawassa is 275 km on Ethiopia's most accessible major highway, taking 3 to 4 hours on excellent paved road. The route passes Rift Valley lakes Ziway, Langano and Abiata-Shala with flamingos, pelicans and hippos, and ends at lakeside Hawassa, suitable for a saloon car or 4x4 SUV year-round.
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The first section of the journey descends from Addis Ababa through the Akaki plain, passing the industrial outskirts of the city before crossing into the Rift Valley proper. The road is the main southern highway and is in excellent condition throughout.
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After Mojo, the road enters the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Ziway — the first of the Rift Valley lakes — appears on the left. Ziway is famous for its hippos (visible from the shore), pelicans and the island monastery of Debre Tsion on Tullu Guddo Island. This is a popular stopping point for birdwatchers.
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Continuing south from Ziway, the road passes Lakes Langano and Abiata-Shala. Lake Langano is distinctive for its reddish-brown waters and is one of the few Rift Valley lakes safe for swimming. Lake Abiata-Shala is a shallow soda lake famous for its flamingo colonies. Shashemene — a large market town — is the junction before the final 25 km to Hawassa.
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Lake Hawassa Fish Market — Hawassa’s lakeside fish market is one of the most atmospheric scenes in southern Ethiopia. Fishermen bring fresh tilapia ashore each morning, and marabou storks and fish eagles compete for scraps at close range.
Boat trips on Lake Hawassa bring you close to hippos, pelicans and a remarkable variety of waterbirds. The lake shore has a pleasant walking and cycling path.
Sidama coffee — Hawassa is the capital of Sidama Region, one of Ethiopia’s most celebrated specialty coffee origins. A visit to a local coffee ceremony (bunna) is highly recommended.
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From Hawassa, the road continues south through increasingly arid and culturally distinct landscapes. Yabello (320 km south of Hawassa) is the gateway to Borana pastoralist country. Konso (another 90 km) is a UNESCO-listed terraced landscape and cultural site. Both can be added as extensions if you are heading towards the Omo Valley.
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This is Ethiopia’s most accessible major route. The entire Addis–Hawassa highway is paved and well maintained. A saloon car is perfectly adequate. A 4×4 SUV is recommended if you plan to detour to Lake Shalla or continue south to Konso and the Omo Valley. Suitable for first-time visitors to Ethiopia.
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