Lake Ziway

Lake Ziway (also known as Lake Dambal) is the largest of the northern freshwater Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes, spanning over 400 square kilometers roughly 160 km south of Addis Ababa. Surrounded by acacia groves and reed beds, the lake serves as a sanctuary for massive populations of waterbirds, including Great White Pelicans, Marabou storks, African fish eagles, sacred ibises, and hammerkops. Its calm freshwater basin is home to pods of hippopotamuses and supports a thriving local fishing culture. Five volcanic islands dot the lake, most notably Tulu Gudo, which houses the historic 9th-century Debre Tsion Maryam Monastery—traditionally famed as a temporary hiding place for the Ark of the Covenant during medieval conflicts.