Swimming the Rift Valley

For an European it is always amazing that most Africans lack the ability of swimming. Even at coastal areas finding a fisherman will be difficult, who will not immediately drown like a sack of stones if he would accidentally fall overboard his ship.

According to the African understatement this all makes perfect sense, as water in form of lakes or ocean only means a constant threat and potential danger: Crocodiles, hippos and mosquitoes all add to help resisting a dive into some refreshing ponds. And if this is not enough to keep you dry, there is toxic gas bubbles and acid drains throughout central and east African lakes due to its geological situation. Not to mention Bilharzia which makes bathing in lakes impossible almost all over Ethiopia.



"Almost", because due to the volcanic nature of Rift Valley, most of the lakes are more than 400 meters of depth and somehow suffer certain mineral influx. Lake Lagano, which is approximately 250km south of Addis Ababa is such a lake. Only that in its' case, the mineral drain is alkaline, which creates a soap-like brown milkish water. This may not look that nice, but it is sufficient to scare off all the things, which would like to either eat or harm you in one or the other way.



With its basic water, Lake Lagano is one of the rare lakes, where you can safely dip in and enjoy some (although rather limited) water sport activities. Yet this place remains pretty unspoiled with not a single motorboat cruising the shores, making birdwatching the next big thing right after doing some of your well deserved breaststrokes.