Loka Abaya National Park- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Loka Abaya National Park in southern Ethiopia spans roughly 500 km², nestled between Lake Abaya and the Bilate River in the Sidama Region. Established in 2009 to conserve the region's wildlife and landscapes, the park's terrain rises from about 1,178 m at the lakeshore to 1,650 m at Gedano Hill and features volcanic hills, wooded grasslands, wetlands, riverine forest and scrubland. This variety of habitats supports more than 28 medium and large mammals, including globally threatened species such as the endangered African wild dog, vulnerable leopard, and hippos, while greater kudu, bushbuck, vervet monkeys, and baboons are among the more commonly seen species. The park is home to over 200 bird species, with species such as Abyssinian ground hornbill, African fish eagle, flamingos along the lake shores, and numerous waterbirds in its floodplains and wetlands. Freshwater ecosystems like Lake Abaya, Bilate River, Gidaawo River, and more than ten hot springs sustain both wildlife and traditional livelihoods in nearby Sidama communities. Though infrastructure remains basic, visitors can arrange guided birdwatching, road-based safaris, and boat trips on Lake Abaya, with nearby towns such as Hawassa and Yirgalem offering lodges or camping sites. Community-based ecotourism programs are growing, built around cultural exchange, traditional Sidama cuisine, and local festivals linked with conservation initiatives.