Hawassa was founded in 1960 under Emperor Haile Selassie, with its initial growth spurred by the settlement of 404 pensioned soldiers and their families in the area. Nowadays, it is a modern city in Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley, known for its beautiful lake, well-planned layout, and status as the capital of the Sidama Region and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region. Key attractions include Lake Hawassa, where we visited the lively fish market (guide 800 ETB), and nearby Guduumale Park (🎟️200 ETB).
