Aluto Hot Springs

Aluto, Ziway-Shala Lakes Region, Oromia, Ethiopia

Location: Aluto, Ziway-Shala Lakes Region, Oromia, Ethiopia
Water type: thermal
Temperature: 45 °C
pH: 7.3

Water profile

Thermicity

Sedative

45 °C

LowHigh

Relaxing — deep, immediate muscle release.

Mineralisation

Balancing

LowHigh

Rich in trace elements — gentle on the skin.

Buoyancy

Standard buoyancy

LowHigh

Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.

BicarbonatesCalcium

The Aluto Hot Springs near Lake Ziway in Ethiopia's Main Ethiopian Rift Valley are a visible expression of the geological forces tearing the African continent apart. The springs emerge at temperatures between 60°C and 90°C from the flanks of Aluto volcano, a young caldera rising dramatically from the shores of the lake, and their carbonated mineral waters have been used by local Oromo and Gurage communities for centuries. The geothermal activity at Aluto is now being developed for electricity generation, making it one of Africa's first significant geothermal power projects. The surrounding landscape, with flamingos on the lake and the vast rift escarpments in the distance, makes a visit to the Aluto springs a powerful combination of geological drama and East African wildlife spectacle.

Insider tip — Aluto Hot Springs occupies the caldera rim of the Aluto volcano, a restless silicic system rising from the Ethiopian Rift Valley floor between Lakes Ziway and Langano. Steam vents and bubbling pools at 45°C dot a landscape of yellow sulfur crusts and acacia scrub. Flamingos and pelicans congregate on nearby Lake Langano, just a short drive away. Access requires a 4WD vehicle on unpaved tracks from Shashamane, making sunrise visits particularly rewarding for their otherworldly pink light.

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