Bahir Dar Africa’s Breathtaking Waterfalls

Bahir Dar, is known for its wide avenues lined with palm trees and variety of colorful flowers. It is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tana the source of the Blue Nile (Abay). The city is located 578 km northwest of the capital city Addis Ababa.  Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, various Ethiopian capitals were established in the vicinity of Lake Tana. In 2002 it was awarded the UNESCO Cities Peace Prize for rapid urbanization.

Formed at more than 1,800 meters above sea level, Lake Tana is 75 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide. Its 3,600 square kilometer surface is dotted with more than 37 islands many of which are home to ancient monasteries and churches containing religious artifacts. The city is a center to explore the area's main sites of the Blue Nile Falls and the Island monasteries of Lake Tana. Among the nearest monasteries to Bahir Dar, Kebran Gabriel, and Ura Kidanmehret, contain an impressive treasury of ancient Ge’ez script. The building is decorated with a number of ancient artistic paintings.

Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and is the source of the Blue Nile River, which flows to Khartoum, Sudan and Egypt. There are 37 islands in the lake, upon which some 20 monasteries from the 14th and 17th century exist.  The Lake Tana Basin significantly contributes to the livelihoods of tens of millions of people in the lower Nile River basin. The fish resource potential of the Lake Tana itself is over 10,000 metric tons per year. It’s an important source of water for Ethiopia. The lake is also a natural reservoir for the eighty-megawatt runoff power station.

Lake Tana was formed by a volcanic blockage that reversed the previously north-flowing Blue Nile and created one of Africa’s greatest waterfalls. The falls have 18 species of Barbus Fish, the only species flock in Africa. The other known flock, is in Lake Lanao, in the Philippines. Lake Tana is also one of 250 lakes identified by LakeNet as having globally significant biodiversity.

The Blue Nile, the longest river in Africa falls into a canyon to form one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Africa. The 150 feet high massive waterfall gush downward creating a cloud of mist which is called Tisisat- (smoking fire). The Blue Nile contributes about 85% of the water that supplies Egypt. Read more here