7-Day Trekking & Wildlife Spotting in the Bale Mountains

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

Arrival at Bale Mountains National Park – Dinsho (3, 000m)

Arrive at the park headquarters in Dinsho, meet your guide, and review the trekking plan. In the afternoon, enjoy a gentle 2-hour hike around the headquarters area. This walk offers a chance to see two iconic endemic mammals: Menelik’s Bushbuck and the elegant Mountain Nyala. Birdlife is abundant, including the Blue-Winged Goose, Spot-Breasted Lapwing, Abyssinian Longclaw, Wattled Ibis, Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and many others.
Overnight camping at Dinsho (3,000m).

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:

Budget camping

• Inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Trekking to Adelay (3, 400m) – 18 km / 6–7 hrs

Begin trekking from Dinsho into the woodland and grassland habitats of the national park. Along the way, look out for endemic mammals such as Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, and Warthog. Birdwatchers may spot Wattled Cranes, Abyssinian Catbird, Augur Buzzard, and flocks of grassland species. Enjoy the changing scenery as you move deeper into the Bale Mountains.
Overnight camping at Adelay (3,400m).

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Trekking to Sodota (3, 500m) – 20 km / 6–7 hrs

Continue from Adelay into the open highland plateau. This is one of the best areas to see the rare Ethiopian Wolf, Africa’s most endangered carnivore. Other wildlife includes the Giant Mole-Rat (its primary prey) and Rock Hyrax. Raptors dominate the skies, with chances to see Steppe Eagles, Tawny Eagles, and Augur Buzzards. Stop for a break at the scenic Habera Waterfall before reaching Sodota campsite.
Overnight camping at Sodota (3,500m).

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Trekking to Wasema Valley (3, 900m) – 18 km / 6–7 hrs

Trek through stunning highland landscapes, passing the Mararo Valley, known for nesting Lammergeiers (Bearded Vultures) and Verreaux’s Eagles. This route also increases your chance of spotting the Ethiopian Wolf again, along with unique Afro-alpine flora such as giant lobelias. The valley’s dramatic scenery makes this day especially memorable.
Overnight camping at Wasema Valley (3,900m).

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Trekking to Rafu (4, 000m) – 18 km / 6–7 hrs

Today’s route offers wide open views of the Afro-alpine plateau. Near Rafu, admire the striking Rafu Rock Pillars, volcanic formations created by ancient lava flows. The high-altitude environment is home to wolves, endemic rodents, and soaring raptors. This is also an excellent area for panoramic photography.
Overnight camping at Rafu (4,000m).

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Trekking to Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest

After breakfast, ascend to Tullu Deemtu (4,377m), Ethiopia’s second-highest peak, for sweeping views of the Sanetti Plateau. The Afro-alpine zone is home to Stark’s Hare, Giant Mole-Rats, Ruddy Shelducks, Blue-Winged Geese, and other water birds. Afterward, meet your vehicle and descend into the mystical Harenna Forest, one of Ethiopia’s largest remaining tropical forests.
Enjoy a guided hike along the bamboo trail and waterfalls, searching for the endemic Bale Monkey, Colobus Monkeys, and forest bird species such as the Abyssinian Crimsonwing.
Overnight at Rira Community Eco Lodge (Harenna Forest).

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Harenna Forest – Return to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, take a final forest walk to soak in the sounds of the jungle. On the drive back toward Goba, stop at scenic spots and keep watch for wildlife, including possible last sightings of the Ethiopian Wolf. From Goba, transfer by flight or vehicle to Addis Ababa, where the trip concludes.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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