Savanna, known for its wildlife and birdlife, surrounds the lake, which is also fished by local people.

[3] There are a number of islands in this lake, the largest being Aruro;[4] others include Gidicho, Welege, Galmaka, and Alkali.

First there is the Bilate which rises on the southern slopes of Mount Gurage, then runs mostly southward to drain into Lake Abaya at its northern shore.

The third river is the Gelana, which rises at the western escarpment of the Rift Valley northwest of Bule Hora Town.

The only outflow of the lake is through the lower reaches of Kulfo River directly below an alluvial fan at an elevation of 1,190 m (at 6°00′39″N 37°35′07″E / 6.0109°N 37.5854°E / 6.0109; 37.5854).