Arba Minch

Arba Minch

Arba Minch, formerly known as Ganta Garo, is a city and a separate woreda in the southern part of Ethiopia. Due to the presence of more than 40 springs, Arba Minch means 40 Springs. The city has a wealth of natural endowments, among them the Bridge of God, the Crocodile Farm, the Crocodile Market, a variety of fruits and vegetables, various fish farmed from the Chamo and Abaya lakes, over 40 springs, various grains and crops, and the two large lakes in the country, Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo. This is what makes the city one of Ethiopia's tourist destinations, which also includes the Nech Sar National Park, home to the country's diverse fauna and flora. The Kulfo River runs through the city, which flows into Lake Chamo. Hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, monkeys and all kinds of birds live in the lake and its surroundings. And the lake is also home to the Crocodile Farm. In an effort to restore the wild crocodile population of Lake Chamo, the Ethiopian Wildlife Authority began a crocodile breeding program in 1984. On the western shores and swamps of Lake Chamo, crocodiles are now common again, especially in the "crocodile marketplace", nicknamed because of the large number of crocodiles in one place.