Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
45 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
12
Average
13
Poor
6
Terrible
0
Peter O
11 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Our first impression was very bad, livestock everywhere, fields and farms cover almost every corner of the park (if you can even call it a park now....). People were begging even at the scenic points inside.
BUT, once at the lakeshore, we found some intact places and the birding there is still magnificent; huge flocks of pelicans, flamingoes, marabu storks and many different african as well as palearctic bird species. We even saw some free roaming ostriches, gazelles (not the fenced ones), and a jackal. One can only imagine, what a superb wildlife destination this must have been in the past, before people moved in and eliminate all the big game.
BUT, once at the lakeshore, we found some intact places and the birding there is still magnificent; huge flocks of pelicans, flamingoes, marabu storks and many different african as well as palearctic bird species. We even saw some free roaming ostriches, gazelles (not the fenced ones), and a jackal. One can only imagine, what a superb wildlife destination this must have been in the past, before people moved in and eliminate all the big game.
Written November 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Finot-Tour-Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia128 contributions
Jan 2017
Abijata Shala National park is located in the great rift valley of Ethiopia. The park is the home for birds and some mammals, but now it is endangered due to human engulf the park and most of the animal retreat back to the other areas. It is the home for pelicans but now it is in a great danger please help us to keep the park from this kind of damage.
Written July 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IonH
London168 contributions
Feb 2020
If you want to see 'wild' animals, then really you don't have to go beyond the entry station, which is in a large compound containing highly visible warthog, grant's gazelle, and ostrich.
If you venture any further -- and for sure you'll need a 4x4 (or be prepared to hike) -- the only additional animals you'll see will be livestock, tended by naked little boys. Sadly, this seems to be true of all Ethiopian "National Parks", but this was one of the worst in this regard.
Still, for birders an expedition down to the lakes is worthwhile as perhaps the most certain site to "tick" both lesser and greater flamingo.
If you venture any further -- and for sure you'll need a 4x4 (or be prepared to hike) -- the only additional animals you'll see will be livestock, tended by naked little boys. Sadly, this seems to be true of all Ethiopian "National Parks", but this was one of the worst in this regard.
Still, for birders an expedition down to the lakes is worthwhile as perhaps the most certain site to "tick" both lesser and greater flamingo.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex S
Deventer, The Netherlands558 contributions
Nov 2019
We visited the northern part of the park and were very very disappointed. I am 100% sure there are more donkeys and horses in the park than wildlife. We saw big herds of cattle and just a few antilopes. The vegetation is low due to overgrazing of theccattle. Visiting the park is a waste of time and because of the fast growing population and the lack of enforcement it will get worse.....
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigBrightBlueSky
Stranraer, UK169 contributions
Dec 2018 • Business
Visited southern side only, accessible from Shashamane to Sodo road, east of Aje. The 14km road is in exceptionally poor condition and takes an hour each way. But the views from either the 10,000 Flamingos Lodge or the headland over Lake Shalla are great. It’s peaceful - once you get away from the begging children. The birdlife is not bad but you are coming for the flamingos really; we estimated 15,000 in the Lake Chitu crater lake and about 450 on Lake Shalla.
Written December 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Captainkirk-of-bc
Fairmont Hot Springs, Canada162 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
We have visited many national parks around the world and this is not in the top half. Lots of tall grass and little else. The rangers can get you to see the antelopes that the park protects but they are never close.
Written November 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nibbytravels
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia151 contributions
Mar 2017
This National park is one the mean road from Addis Abeba to Hawassa around Lake Langano, in the great Reft valley. the two lakes Abidjatta-Shalla are nice to visit Shalla is the deepest lake in Ethiopia 261M and there Hot springs around it. and Abidjatta is known for been home for hundred thousands of flamingos. you need 4x4 to get both places and the drive is beautiful.
also on this park you can see ostrich, Warthog and Grand Gazelle also is park known for the different kinds of bird life. i will say you need 3-4 hours to visit both lakes.
also on this park you can see ostrich, Warthog and Grand Gazelle also is park known for the different kinds of bird life. i will say you need 3-4 hours to visit both lakes.
Written April 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrisbeeoxford
Oxford, UK571 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
Don't go expecting a wild mammal extravaganza: only wart hog, gazelle and if lucky jackal. The Park is a birder's delight and could occupy one for a full day. The enclosed area of the Park is to preserve some of the trees and bushes that covered the area before intense farming. The open area of the Park is vast preserving the rural agricultural landscape and protecting the lakes. It provides the view point from which one sees the two lakes and the savannah-like valley. Ensure you get your guide to take you there along the tracks past the round house mud and leaf-roofed farms with children using their two words of English - "Hello" and "money". It is very medieval. Keep an eye out for the Tawny Steppe Eagle in the trees at the look out point.
Back in the enclosed Park I was welcomed by a clear and long sighting of a Rufus-headed Roller which set the tone for a stream of species. I had a mere three hours in the Park and if one did the lake shores one could spend three days with ease discovering more and more. African Grey, Red-billed and Von Der Decken's Hornbill were sighted and photographed. The range in the enclosed area went from Kamaroa Apalis, White-rumped Helmet Shrike, Namaqua Dove, White-bellied Go Away Bird to Ostrich (within two metres).
Down on Lake Adibjatta's shore one is greeted (when present) by Lesser Flamingo as a continual ribbon of pink round its huge curve. A modest estimate would be a quarter of a million birds and almost certainly a great deal more. The track down is really a 4x4 route but my 12 seater van made it there and back grounding only once. To reach the edge will vary according to season. It was the dry season when I was there and a long walk over increasingly soft sand/dried and salt-crusted mud is essential to get close. The wind may create sand tornado. The edge of the water is the feeding ground for many species of wader. Without a 'scope it was hard to get within range as my guide kept pulling me back as I began to sink. Certainly Little Stint, Common Stilt, Redshank and Greenshank but without doubt others were present. Keep eyes open even in the arid hillside as Pipit and Hoopoe were about.
This Park had a triple interest for me - birds, views, and ecology. I would insist on another visit if in the area.
Back in the enclosed Park I was welcomed by a clear and long sighting of a Rufus-headed Roller which set the tone for a stream of species. I had a mere three hours in the Park and if one did the lake shores one could spend three days with ease discovering more and more. African Grey, Red-billed and Von Der Decken's Hornbill were sighted and photographed. The range in the enclosed area went from Kamaroa Apalis, White-rumped Helmet Shrike, Namaqua Dove, White-bellied Go Away Bird to Ostrich (within two metres).
Down on Lake Adibjatta's shore one is greeted (when present) by Lesser Flamingo as a continual ribbon of pink round its huge curve. A modest estimate would be a quarter of a million birds and almost certainly a great deal more. The track down is really a 4x4 route but my 12 seater van made it there and back grounding only once. To reach the edge will vary according to season. It was the dry season when I was there and a long walk over increasingly soft sand/dried and salt-crusted mud is essential to get close. The wind may create sand tornado. The edge of the water is the feeding ground for many species of wader. Without a 'scope it was hard to get within range as my guide kept pulling me back as I began to sink. Certainly Little Stint, Common Stilt, Redshank and Greenshank but without doubt others were present. Keep eyes open even in the arid hillside as Pipit and Hoopoe were about.
This Park had a triple interest for me - birds, views, and ecology. I would insist on another visit if in the area.
Written December 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tarig K
Milton Keynes, UK30 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
This was a very interesting and memorable experience for all the family.
Make sure you get an official tour guide from the park. They are well educated and very useful. Ask them to take you to the spot where you can see both lakes.
Check at the gate if the Flamingos are present. Be prepared to walk 1 Km to get close to flamingos.
Make sure you get an official tour guide from the park. They are well educated and very useful. Ask them to take you to the spot where you can see both lakes.
Check at the gate if the Flamingos are present. Be prepared to walk 1 Km to get close to flamingos.
Written October 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TorbenAndersen6500
Vojens, Denmark270 contributions
Oct 2019
We were there for half day i October 2019. Drove around in car, and had a local guide on board. Not that many birds to see, Maybe becourse we were at bit season early. A few flamingos and pelikans at the lakes and som hornbills. The roads are very bad and if not repaired, It will be imposible to get around in near future.
Written October 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lauren9270
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Hi,
For those who rented a car, how much did the car cost? Did anyone take public transportation and know the cost? How much did the guide cost? Any other costs? How much did you spend in total? Thank you!
Best,
Lauren
Written April 21, 2017
Hello Lauren
I used a local guy running his own tour company (very good too)
The total price includes:
Accommodations (with breakfast) + Lunch &Dinner with soft drink / one bottle of water + Car with fuel and driver + Entrance fees + one Ethiopian guide fee + all transfers from the air port to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport.
The total price is not inclusive of:
Visa fee + Alcoholic drinks + Photo graphic and video fees
Amount was 1775 USD for 6days and 6 nights. Frankly I spent exceptionally little on the excluded items. Less than 100 USD.
I found the roads would have exhausted me with pot holes of mammoth proportions people animals carts motorbike taxis and trucks. Best thing I did was have a driver! Chris
Written April 22, 2017
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