Lake Langano

Langano is the Rift valley lake Ethiopians go to swim in, because unlike most of the others it is considered free of the snails that carry bilharzia, so the shore is lined with lodges and beach resorts and the water is used. Its colour is a milky brown from suspended sediment, which surprises first-time visitors expecting blue, and the backdrop is the Arsi mountains on the eastern side. Acacia woodland along the shore holds a good bird list, and the lodges arrange walks and boat trips. Water sports operate at the developed beaches. The lake sits between Abijatta-Shalla National Park to the west and the highlands east, and it is the usual overnight stop on the drive south to Hawassa and the Omo.

What you actually see

• Brown swimming water - the sediment-coloured lake used for bathing.
• Shore lodges - resorts and beaches along the western side.
• Acacia woodland birds - hornbills, barbets and rollers along the shore.
• The Arsi mountains - the range rising across the water.

When to go

October to March for dry weather and warm water. Ethiopian holidays and weekends fill the resorts. The rains from June to September raise the sediment further and empty the lodges.

Honest expectations

The water is brown and looks unappealing even though it is safe by local reckoning; nobody should expect a blue lake. Development along the shore is uneven and some resorts are run down. Crocodiles and hippos are present in places, so local advice on where to swim matters. Weekend crowds are heavy.

Nearby

Abijatta-Shalla park lies west; Lake Ziway is north.