Abyata-Shala Lakes National Park is formed by the twin lakes of Abyata and Shala. The park covers a total area of 887 sq km, of which 482 sq km is water. Abyata-Shala Lakes National Park is one of the most scenic national parks in Ethiopia especially at dusk when park visitors get sight of Pelicans dipping into the silver waters of Lake Abyata. The vegetation surrounding area is dominantly acacia woodland, but it has been extensively degraded by man.

Lakes

Lake Abyata is a shallow pan, only 14 meters (46 feet) deep and its level fluctuates periodically. The lake provides the main source of food for the colonies of great while pelicans on the nearby Lake Shala. The adjacent islands to Lake Shala serve as breeding sites by many birds, and are home to the continent’s most important breeding colony of Great White Pelicans.

Birds

The establishment of Abyata-Shala Lakes National Park was in principal to serve as breeding ground as well as conserve the many aquatic bird species that use the lakes, particularly the Great White Pelicans and Greater and Lesser Flamingos. (The park is one of the seven nesting sites of these bird species in the whole of Africa).

Other birds in the park include the White-necked Cormorant, Egyptian Geese, African Fish Eagle, a diverse range of Plover species as well as Herons.

Wildlife

Besides of the countless Birds list, Abyata-Shala Lakes National Park is also home to over 70 species of mammals such as more common Grant’s gazelle, shy wild ass, Oribi, warthog, Golden Jackal and the rare Walia Ibex. Also present are the less numerous and not common lions, giraffes and zebras. Many other animals are seen roaming within the forested areas of the park especially while in late evening drives into the park.
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Muslim and Ethiopia dates back to the year 615 when the first Muslims, among them Mohammed's wife in Ethiopia were refugees and settled in Negash, a small village located 60 km east of Mekele, the capital of Tigray Region.

The Quraysh sent emissaries to bring them back to Arabia, but the King of Ethiopia refused their demands. The Prophet himself instructed his followers who came to Ethiopia, to respect and protect Ethiopia as well as live in peace with Ethiopian Christians. Negash or Nejashi (its Arabic version) Mosque is as old as the faith of Islam in Ethiopia.

It is the first mosque in Africa. The name, Negash, is derived from king Armah ‘‘Al - Nejashi''. The mosque was built in the 7th century AD and is considered by many as the second most sacred place of Islamic worship and rightly dubbed by some as “The second Mekkah”.

Negash, has been a place of great historical and religious significance in a sense that it is a symbol of peaceful coexistence between Muslim and Christian religions.

Even though Negash is considered as the most holy place in Ethiopia, There are also most important places of pilgrimage like the Sof Omar Caves and the Tomb of Sheikh Hussein and of course the 4th most important city for Islam Harar with its 90 Mosques.