6-Day Bale Mountains Adventure: Trekking & Wildlife

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Addis Ababa to Goba – Bale Mountains National Park (Fly and Drive

• 6:30 AM: You'll meet at Bole International Airport or your hotel in Addis Ababa.
• 7:55 AM: You'll fly from Addis Ababa to Goba (approximately 1 hour).
• 8:55 AM: You'll arrive at Goba Airport. Drive to Dinsho, the gateway to Bale Mountains National Park (2.5–3 hours).
Midday:
• Noon: You'll arrive at Dinsho and check in at the park headquarters.
• You'll have lunch at a local lodge or picnic-style meal.
• You'll take a guided nature walk to spot mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, and warthogs. Visit waterfalls and explore the lush juniper woodlands.
Evening:
• 6:30 PM: You'll have dinner and relaxation at Bale Mountains Lodge.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit November to February (Little rain)

High Season October to January (Park is never busy)

Best Weather November to February

Wildlife in Bale Mountains NP

Ethiopian Wolf Common

Mountain Nyala Common

Warthog Common

Menelik's
Bushbuck Occasional

Guereza Monkey Occasional

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Olive Baboon Occasional

Bohor Reedbuck Occasional

Starck's Hare Occasional

Giant Mole-rat Occasional

Bale Monkey Rare

Giant Forest Hog Rare

Golden Jackal Rare

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water & spirits/liquor (Other drinks not included)

Trek to Sodota Campsite (5–6 hours, moderate trek)

• 7:00 AM: Breakfast and trek preparation.
• You'll start trekking through Afro-alpine meadows and grasslands, passing through valleys rich in biodiversity.
• You'll spot wildlife such as Ethiopian wolves, mountain nyala, and warthogs.
• You'll reach Sodota Campsite (3,500m altitude) in the afternoon.
Afternoon:
• 1:00 PM: You'll have a picnic lunch en route.
• You'll continue trekking, enjoying panoramic views of the Bale Mountains.
Evening:
• 6:00 PM: You'll arrive at Sodota Campsite and set up camp.
• Relax, have dinner, and enjoy the starry sky.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks & spirits/liquor (Beer and wine not included)

Trek to Keyrensa Campsite (6–7 hours, moderate to challenging trek)

• 6:30 AM: Breakfast and early departure for a full day of trekking.
• You'll hike through high-altitude grasslands and rocky terrain.
• You'll cross rivers and pass through areas where Ethiopian wolves are frequently spotted.
Midday:
• 12:30 PM: Picnic lunch in a scenic spot.
• You'll continue trekking towards the stunning Keyrensa Valley.
Evening:
• 5:30 PM: You'll arrive at Keyrensa Campsite (3,800m altitude).
• Set up camp, relax, and enjoy dinner.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water & spirits/liquor (Other drinks not included)

Trek to Rafu (7–8 hours, challenging trek)

• 6:30 AM: Breakfast and trek preparation.
• You'll trek through rocky ridges, alpine moorlands, and vast plateaus.
• You'll spot endemic bird species, including the blue-winged goose and wattled crane.
Midday:
• 12:30 PM: Lunch break with incredible mountain views.
• You'll continue trekking towards Rafu Campsite, reaching 4,000m elevation.
Evening:
• 5:30 PM: You'll arrive at Rafu, set up camp, and rest.
• 6:30 PM: Dinner.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water & spirits/liquor (Other drinks not included)

Descend into Harenna Forest (6–7 hours, dramatic landscape change

• 6:30 AM: Breakfast and trek down towards Harenna Forest.
• You'll witness a breathtaking transition from high-altitude plateaus to lush cloud forest.
• You'll encounter black-and-white colobus monkeys, leopards (rare sightings), and endemic birds.
Midday:
• 12:30 PM: Picnic lunch in the forest.
• You'll visit a local village and learn about traditional coffee preparation and honey harvesting.
Evening:
• 5:30 PM: You'll go back to your lodge.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water & spirits/liquor (Other drinks not included)

Return to Goba and Fly to Addis Ababa

• 6:30 AM: Breakfast and a short forest walk.
• 8:30 AM: You'll depart Harenna Forest and drive towards Goba.
• 10:30 AM: You'll have a mid-morning stop for coffee/snacks.
• 12:30 PM: You'll have lunch at a roadside restaurant or picnic in Shashamene.
• Afternoon: You'll continue to Goba Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa.
Evening: You'll have a farewell dinner and Bole International Airport for departure.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.