Arba Minch town: Paradise of the rift valley

Arba Minch is a city and distinct woreda in southern Ethiopia, about 435 kilometers south of Addis Ababa. The name "Arba Minch" is Amharic for "Forty springs," and it is inspired by the presence of more than 40 springs within the city's dense and evergreen indigenous forest. The city sits at an elevation that ranges from 1300m to 1500m above sea level.

Arba Minch is the largest city in both Gamo Zone and SNNPR. It was established in the 1963 Ethiopian calendar during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie and has an area of 55 km2. Arba Minch’s climate is classified as temperate and the city is also evergreen with an average maximum temperature of 280c. There are two well-known residential settlements in Arba Minch city called Shecha and Sikela. 

Most of the government offices, lodges, and hotels are found in Shecha. But most of the city’s business activities including the bus station and the big market are located in Sikela. Currently, Arba Minch has an estimated population of around 189,263 residents. In recent years newer and more modern and properly planned settlements are being formed near to the city’s airport, which is located in the southeastern part of the city.

Tourist Attraction sites of Arba Minch city

Arba Minch city has a high tourism potential due to the natural beauty that surrounds it. The prominent Nech-Sar national park, the two largest rift valley lakes (Abaya and Chamo), and the crocodile ranch are all tourist attraction sites for which Arb Minch city is famous.

Nech Sar National Park

Nech Sar National Park is a 750-square-kilometer national park located in the eastern part of Arba Minch city, Ethiopia. The park is classified under the edaphic savanna grassland, and the white coloration of the savanna grass is the reason why it is called Nech Sar, which is Amharic for “White Grass”. Nech Sar National Park was proposed in 1967 and was officially established in 1974. The park is home to a massive variety of wildlife, such as;
• plains zebra,
• Nile crocodile,
• Grant's gazelle,
• dik-dik,
• Hippopotamus,
• African leopard,
• Spotted hyena,
• greater kudu
• Swayne's hartebeest,
• Lion,
• Cheetah,
• Bushbuck,
• Waterbuck,
• Bushpig,
• Anubis baboon,
• Vervet monkeys, and
• black-backed jackal

Birds such as kingfishers, storks, pelicans, flamingos, and African fish eagles have been observed in Nech Sar National Park. Nech Sar park once housed the endangered African wild dog Lycaon pictus, which may now be extinct due to human population pressures in the area. A small group of fewer than 23 lions was estimated in and around the protected area in 2009. Nech Sar national park also includes two lakes named Lake Abaya, and Lake Chamo, which are separated by an isthmus known as “Ye Egzer Dildiy”, which is Amharic for “God’s bridge”.

Lake Abaya

Lake Abaya is a 60 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide lake, with a surface area of 1162 square kilometers, located to the northeastern part of Arba Minch city. The maximum depth of Lake Abaya is measured to be 13 meters. The lake is located at an elevation of 1285 meters above sea level. Approximately 55 kilometers of Lake Abaya’s shoreline is part of Nech Sar National Park, which is around 52 kilometers square from the lake’s total area. Lake Abaya's color is reddish due to a high concentration of suspended sediments and turbidity currents from the lake's three tributary rivers, the Bilate, Gidabo, and Gelana Rivers, which prevent the sediments from settling. There are nine islands on Lake Abaya, namely
• Wolge,
• Aruro,
• Todo,
• Phatha,
• Golmaka,
• Tobekor,
• Siri,
• Gidicho, and
• Dorimito islands.

Gidicho is the largest island on Lake Abaya, and it is home to the Gidicho people, one of the three ethnic groups in the Gamo zone. The Italian explorer Vittorio Bottego, who first explored the region, renamed Lake Abaya "Lake Margherita" in 1896 after Queen Margherita of Savoy, wife of King Humbert I of Italy. In Italy, the name "Lago Margherita" (Lago Margherita) is still used.

Chamo Lake

Chamo Lake is located to the south of Lake Abaya and the city of Arba Minch, east of the Guge Mountains, and west of the Amaro Mountains. With a measurement of 13 x 32 kilometers and an area of 317 square kilometers, Lake Chamo is the 8th largest lake and 4th freshwater lake in Ethiopia. Its recorded maximum depth is 14 meters. Lake Chamo is clear and somewhat bluish in color. 32 kilometers of the lake’s northern end, which is 42 kilometers, is part of the Nech Sar National Park. 

The Kulfo River and several small streams feed Chamo Lake, as does overflow from Lake Abaya brought to it by the Ualo River. There are 16 fish species in Lake Chamo, including Catfish, Nile Perch, and Tilapia. The lake's main inhabitants are giant hippos, Nile crocodiles, and various colorful birds, including pelicans. 

One of the most tourist-attracting sites on Chamo Lake, as well as Nech Sar national park, is “ye Azo Gebeya”, this is Amharic for “Crocodile Market”. What is "Crocodile market"? 

Crocodile market is a specific location on the northern side of Lake Chamo, where a massive number of Hippos and Crocodiles bask in the sun, not to mention the toothpick birds and pelicans roaming the area. It takes a one and half hour boat trip to get to the Crocodile market.

God’s bridge

This is a narrow ridge of land that divides Abaya and Chamo lakes. With commanding panoramic views all around, including both lakes, the Nech Sar plains, the Amaro mountains, and the Gugei mountain of Ganta mountains. God’s bridge joins the western Nech Sar plain with Arba Minch town. It is a transitional area of wooded and grassland vegetation between the two different plant communities of the Nech Sar grassland and the dense forest.

Evergreen and dense natural forest

Arba Minch’s natural forest is a 67.1 kilometer square interweaved canopy lowland riverine and groundwater forest patch similar with tropical rain forest. It is surprising to see the such a dense forest that is full of tall evergreen trees in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Moreover, the biodiversity composition of the forest is an interesting feature all by itself. Indigenous trees that are hunted and exterminated from different parts of the country still exist in this dense natural forest of Arba Minch city. Some of these trees include; Prunes Africana (Tikur enchet), Cordina Africana (Wanza), Adolfi Fredrick (Kerero), and Ficus Vasta(Warka) with long staggered liana (Hareg). The wildlife of the forest includes baboons, Columbus monkeys, and birds of different species. The forest also houses the forty springs from which the city’s name originates.

Forty Springs

The forty springs after which Arba Minch city is named are located in a small area within the dense forest of Arba Minch city. The water from these springs is so clear that it is drinkable using the taro plant. The springs are also a source of drinking water for Arba Minch city. The forty springs are easily accessible as they are only 3 kilometers away from the headquarters of the Nech Sar National Park, which is located at the entrance of the park. Although it is possible to use vehicles for transportation, it is recommended to walk this distance in order to experience and appreciate the dense natural forest and its wildlife. The springs have created a beautiful natural swimming pool a few meters away, so you can take a break and relax after the long walk you just took, although I am sure you will not be feeling tired as you came appreciating the beauty of the dense forest!

Crocodile Ranch

Arba Minch crocodile ranch is located 7 kilometers northeast of Sikela and so far, it is the only crocodile ranch in East Africa. The ranch was established on the Southwest shore of Lake Abaya, adjacent to Nech Sar National Park, in 1984. The crocodile ranch is established to achieve three objectives; 1. To save the globally threatened species of Nile Crocodile, which is the largest and most aggressive of its kind 2. To earn foreign currency by exporting crocodile skin and meat to the international market, and 3. For tourism purposes. The crocodiles are stored in separate places according to their ages and currently there are around 7000 of them. The Nile crocodile can live up to 80 years old, weigh as much as 120 kilograms, and measure five to seven meters long.

Arba Minch cuisines

The Gamo people are known for their delicious cuisines, and we recommend you try the following dishes when you visit Arba Minch.

FOSESE(ፎሰሴ)

This is a delicious meal prepared by using corn flour as a main ingredient. It is a commonly consumed food in Arba Minch, and is relatively affordable and can be prepared for many people at once. The other main ingredients used in the preparation of this meal are Onion, vegetable oil, Ethiopian Texsel green (Kale), and Table salt. Optionally either Red kidney beans or chopped potatoes are also used. And in some cases, both are left out or are used together to prepare this lovely meal. Clarified Butter (Nitir Kibbeh) is also an optional ingredient in Fosese, making it good for fasting and non-fasting times of the year. Fosese is usually eaten using a spoon but you can use your hand if you want.

Kurkufa (ኩርኩፋ)

This meal is considered a close relative of Fosese and is also prepared from more or less the same ingredients, except in this meal, the corn flour is pressed by hand into balls that are sized just enough so they can be eaten one by one. The other difference between Kurkufa and Fosese is Red kidney beans and potatoes are not used.

Haleko or Moringa (ሃለኮ ወይንም ሺፈራው)

The tree that produces the leaf known for its incredible health benefits, Moringa stenopetala, is abundant in Arba Minch and is edible as well. The people prepare a daily meal from this leaf that can be eaten with either Enjera or a kita (corn tortilla), as seen in the picture above.

Where to stay in Arba Minch city

Arba Minch has a variety of accommodation options suitable for the different economic levels, which is not surprising given the city's high level of tourist activity each year. The table below lists the various accommodation service providers in the city.

No	Service provider	Phone	Rooms
1	Haile resort	+251974 292929	108
2	Emerald resort	+251 46881 1895	72
3	Mora heights hotel	+251 46881 2158	24
4	Derik hotel	+251 46881 0064	26
5	Ezana hotel	+251 46881 1201	37
6	Tourist hotel	+251 46881 2171	94
7	Paradise lodge	+251 46881 2914	123
8	Bekele Mola hotel	+251 46881 0046	32
9	Forty Spring hotel	+251 46881 2138	24
10	Garo Hotel	+251 468810755	37
11	Wubete Hotel	+251 46881 1629	21
12	Anjo Nus hotel	+251 46881 9910	20
13	Romi hotel	+251 46881 4069	21
14	Lamba Dina hotel	+251 46881 1384	15
15	Kairo hotel	+251 46881 3408	38
16	Turiye hotel	+251 46881 2877	14
17	Zebib pension	+251 46881 3676	23
18	Yanet pension	+251911 345716	10
19	Merkato pension	+251 46881 0245	55
20	Basha Eshete pension	+251 46881 1812	14
21	Nati pension	+251 46881 3269	15
22	El Betel pension	+251 46881 1794	28
23	Ramis pension	+251 46881 1798	35
24	Barkon pension	+251 46881 3319
25	Kibye cultural restaurant	+251953 771814
26	JBM fish restaurant	+251935 935608
27	Lucy bar and restaurant	+251916 344751
28	Lemlem bar and restaurant	+251930 069209

Local tour guides in Arba Minch city

- See us local tour guide associations: Phone - +2519 25 616961 Email – seeusarbaminch@yahoo.com - Nech sar local tour guide associations: Phone - +2519 53 746706 Email – nechsarguidesoffiarba@gmail.com - Eco-Arbaminch local tour guide associations: Phone - +2519 32 400212

Useful numbers in Arba Minch city

• Gamo zone police department – 046881 0077
• Arba Minch city municipality – 046881 0017
• Arba Minch city Police – 046881 4298 or 0095
• Arba Minch general hospital – 046881 0243 or 0839
• Red cross Arba Minch branch – 046881 0338 or 1198
• Arba Minch district electric utility – 046881 0201
• Arba Minch city culture and tourism office – 046881 234