Lake Langano

Lake Langano

Lake Langano is a lake in Ethiopia's Oromia Region, located about 200 kilometers south of the capital Addis Ababa, at the border between the East Shewa and Arsi Zones. The first European to document the lake was Oscar Neumann, who recorded that it was also known as Lake Kore. Situated in the East African Rift Valley lake region, Lake Langano lies at an elevation of 1,585 meters, with Lake Abijatta to its east.

According to data from Ethiopia’s Central Statistical Agency, Lake Langano is 18 kilometers long, 16 kilometers wide, with a surface area of 230 square kilometers, a maximum depth of 46 meters, and a catchment area of 1,600 square kilometers. The lake slowly flows into nearby Lake Abijatta. Unlike other freshwater lakes in Ethiopia, Lake Langano is free of schistosomiasis, making it popular among locals and tourists alike. The water is brownish in color, and there are numerous resorts and water recreational activities around the lake.

The lake and its surrounding areas host a variety of wildlife, including hippos, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and a wide range of bird species. Although much of the forest around the lake has been cleared, some pastoralists still live in the vicinity. Two earthquakes with epicenters not far from Lake Langano were recorded—one in 1906 with a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scale and another in 1985 with a magnitude of 6.2.

Lake Langano

Why Go: One of Ethiopia’s most noteworthy lakes

Continent: Africa【Africa】

Country/Region: Ethiopia[Ethiopia]

Province/State: Oromiya Region [Oromiya Region]