Hippo watching on Lake Awassa
Hippo watching on Lake Awassa
Hippo watching on Lake Awassa
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4.0
68 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
26
Average
12
Poor
6
Terrible
0
Jack B
Durban, South Africa110 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
We did not specifically go to see Hippos but just had a really great short boat trip along the shore area. Big beautiful trees and birds along the shoreline. Fish eagles sitting in the trees and calling constantly. Mintor lizards swimming along the shoreline. Just great bird watching. Pick a time when the lake is calm with little wind and you will have a lovely ride.
Written 9 December 2022
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.
Lydon C
16 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
My tip for an awesome free lake Awassa experience: go to the edge and start following the path going to the right. Enjoy the birds, the swamp, the people fishing, the kids swimming and the the table tennis matches (I even got invited to play). Eventually there will be less people and you should come across this beautiful, clean, quiet patch of grass looking out over the lake. From there I had a Mr. Hippo chilling in the grass, a big lizard swimming past, beautiful little birds fishing in front of me and just had the nicest chill. People will probably come bother you eventually, but still worth checking out if you dm not keen for the boat expense.
Written 14 November 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.
Teddeth
Greifswald, Germany4 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
I have been to awassa town several times and the city has a power to calm someone and relax and the food and the night life in the town also is very nice. I am specially in love with the organic fruit juices made there.
Written 28 April 2015
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.
Margaret C
Sydney38 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
Yes - I have seen them before but it is pleasant out on the lake, watching the fishermen in their reed boats
Written 3 May 2014
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.
Stephne A
Shaka's Rock, South Africa788 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
The cruise around parts of the lake is better carried out early in the morning whilst the crocodiles and hippos are still sunning themselves in the morning sunshine. The huge crocs are a cute shade of green and seem to be very comfortable around the boats as are the hippos. One problem is that the launch site is starting to fill up with discarded plastic bottles and hopefully tourists will be more responsible and also remind their guides that this type of pollution is not acceptable.
Make sure that there are sufficient life jackets available on the boat. Be prepared to have about 3 hours available for the whole tour.
Make sure that there are sufficient life jackets available on the boat. Be prepared to have about 3 hours available for the whole tour.
Written 20 October 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.
pensioner090
southwest England248 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
There is a booth where you pay 500 birr for your boat which can hold up to 5 people.
We paid our 500 birr for two of us and suddenly found three 'friends' of the boat driver jumping on the boat (free ride) just as we left. Unfortunately, they shouted to one another continuously over the engine noise throughout the entire trip even when we were looking for the hippos. When we did find three hippos, they shouted even more.
The boat driver never turned off the very loud engine even when we had spotted the hippos. He revved the engine repeatedly which did not exactly help to reassure the hippos. Between the unexpected three extra passengers and the boat driver, there was so much noise that it spoiled our trip. All we wanted to do was to turn off the engine and to enjoy the peace of the birds and the hippos and the lake.
Perhaps it was our lack of Amharic that made difficult the desire we had for a peaceful and private boat trip. A shame as the boat driver we had really didn't have a clue about what we wanted and he took his friends and us for a ride. Try to find someone who speaks Amharic and English (or your language) if you want your boat driver to do what you want to do rather than what he wants to do.
We paid our 500 birr for two of us and suddenly found three 'friends' of the boat driver jumping on the boat (free ride) just as we left. Unfortunately, they shouted to one another continuously over the engine noise throughout the entire trip even when we were looking for the hippos. When we did find three hippos, they shouted even more.
The boat driver never turned off the very loud engine even when we had spotted the hippos. He revved the engine repeatedly which did not exactly help to reassure the hippos. Between the unexpected three extra passengers and the boat driver, there was so much noise that it spoiled our trip. All we wanted to do was to turn off the engine and to enjoy the peace of the birds and the hippos and the lake.
Perhaps it was our lack of Amharic that made difficult the desire we had for a peaceful and private boat trip. A shame as the boat driver we had really didn't have a clue about what we wanted and he took his friends and us for a ride. Try to find someone who speaks Amharic and English (or your language) if you want your boat driver to do what you want to do rather than what he wants to do.
Written 16 January 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.
bae16
12 contributions
Highlight of my trip. We visited about 4.00pm which we were told is a good time to see the hippos. We managed to see a family of 5 hippos in the water. It took about 20 mins to get to the area and we spent about 20 mins with the hippos and then returned.
The lakeside area is very chilled. A few lakeside shacks selling drinks and fresh grilled fish. Nice area to relax after a busy day.
The lakeside area is very chilled. A few lakeside shacks selling drinks and fresh grilled fish. Nice area to relax after a busy day.
Written 20 January 2015
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.
AgusPrianto111
Bangkok, Thailand75 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Awassa lake is a good place to visit after a really long and tiring day in office. Find a hostel near the lake and you can enjoy the sunrise and sunset everyday you stay.
They also sell a lot of good fish (compare with what they have in Addis).
They also sell a lot of good fish (compare with what they have in Addis).
Written 30 October 2014
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.
TravelRougeUK
Oxford, UK33 contributions
July 2013 • Business
Although a bit brief, there is a 90% chance of seeing lots of hippos and the guides are very friendly and get very close.
its quite expensive when relative to Ethiopian costs - but in comparison to western prices its very cheap
its quite expensive when relative to Ethiopian costs - but in comparison to western prices its very cheap
Written 29 June 2014
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.
Amal A
Kuwait City, Kuwait394 contributions
June 2019 • Friends
It was very Windy I got sea sick
We manage to see the hippo From far
Personally I didn’t like the trip doesn’t worth it
We manage to see the hippo From far
Personally I didn’t like the trip doesn’t worth it
Written 24 June 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.
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