Located in the heart of Rift valley, near Langano is 225 kilometres south of Addis Ababa and comprises 887 square kilometres. The two lakes are separated by three kilometres of hilly land. The altitude of the park ranges from 1540 to 2075 meters, the highest Mount Fike, which is situated between the two lakes. Lake Shalla is thought to be the deepest lake in Africa (250 meters deep), north of the Equator. Despite their natural beauty, these lakes are best known for their bird life. Different kinds of water birds such as greater and lesser flamingos along with white-necked cormorants, several species of herons, storks, spoonbills, African ducks, gulls and Sterns can be seen around the these lakes. During the northern winter thousands of Asiatic and European ducks and Waders migrate to the Lake Abiyatta shores. Lake Shalla is well known for its large colony of great white pelicans, undoubtedly the most breeding site for these species in Africa.