Lake Chamo is a lake in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region of southern Ethiopia, located in the East African Rift, between Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo. It is a fault lake, 32 kilometers long and 13 kilometers wide, with a surface area of 317 square kilometers, a maximum depth of 14 meters, a catchment area of 18,575 square kilometers, and an elevation of 1,100 meters. During the rainy season, it receives water from Lake Abaya and flows south to Lake Chamo.

The naturally tranquil Lake Chamo is a famous crocodile lake in the southern part of the Great Rift Valley, home to thousands of wild crocodiles, as well as hippos, Nile crocodiles, and Nile tilapia. The mountainous wildlife reserves on both sides of the Great Rift Valley are home to a large number of African zebras, while the nearby mountains and grasslands are inhabited by many wild animals such as baboons, antelopes, and zebras. Due to the numerous aquatic and terrestrial habitats near the Great Rift Valley, more than 50% of bird species can be found here. The nearby Lake Abijatta is a feeding ground for many white pelicans, flamingos of various sizes, and numerous little grebes. A small island in Lake Shalla, adjacent to Lake Chamo, is a fixed breeding ground for white pelicans and a nesting site for large flamingos.

Lake Chamo
Reason to visit: The most famous crocodile lake in the southern part of the Great Rift Valley
Continent: Africa
Country: Ethiopia
Region: Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region