Hawassa: See
1 Hippos in Lake Awasa (walk Piazza Rd to the lake, there are plenty of boats that carry tourists to see one of the Hippo groups). The tours seem popular with locals and foreign tourists alike. If you are lucky, you see many hippos, or you may just see their ears if they are resting. It's about 500 Birr for a boat (as of 2013), but you can fit several people to share the cost. Alternatively, if you have the time, sit on a quiet spot next to the lake, sometimes the hippos come over for food.