Abyata shall National is located around 200 k.m from Addis Ababa, in the Ethiopian part of the great rift valley system.

The 887 k.m square Abyata shalla national park is dominated by two rift valley lakes, Abyata Lake and Shalla Lake for which its named; the islands in shalla lake are an important breeding grounds for white pelican as well as various species of water birds including Cormorants, and Stork.

During the European winter it supports thousands of migrant waders.

expecting to see Greater and lesser flamingos, Avocet, Ruff, Wattled Crane and Black necked grebe among the few.