Introduction

Ziway/Batu is located 167 km from the capital Addis Ababa. Lake Ziway/Dambal is the largest of the Northern group of rift valley lakes covering 440 km2 surrounded by volcanic hills and is home of the Zay people. The lake earned just a quick hit on a southern stopover, for its productive birdlife and hippopotamus. The lake encompasses five Islands, including Gelila, Fundro, Debre Sina, Tsedacha and Tulu Gudo, which is home to a monastery said to have housed the ark of the covenant around the ninth century..