Day 1: Arrival to Bale Mountains
When you arrive at Bale Mountains, meet your guide and drive to the park headquarters. Then, take a walk around the park headquarters where you can see rare and endangered animals like Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, Reedbuck, Warthog, Gray Duikers, and Baboons.
You may also spot special Ethiopian birds in the nearby juniper forest, such as the Black-headed Siskin, Wattled Ibis, and Abyssinian Catbird.
Spend the night at Dinsho Campsite at 3,100 meters above sea level.
Day 2: Trek from Dinsho to Sodota Campsite
After breakfast, start the 18-kilometer hike to Sodota. Walk through the Web Valley toward Fincha Habera waterfall, where the Wolla and Web rivers meet. Here you might see birds of prey, rock hyrax, Ethiopian wolves, and the Blue-winged Goose. This part of the Bale Mountains shows true wilderness. When you reach the campsite, enjoy a relaxing coffee or tea break.
Overnight at Sodota Campsite at 3,500 meters above sea level.
Day 3: Trek from Sodota to Wasema
Hike to Wasema through a beautiful area with great views. Cross Mararo Valley, home to the nests of Lammergeyer and Verreaux’s Eagles. After a 6 to 7 hour hike, you may see many birds and possibly an Ethiopian wolf.
Camp overnight at Wasema, 3,900 meters above sea level.
Day 4: Trek from Wasema to Rafu
On this stretch, you will see how the mountains were formed long ago by a single large volcano. The ice age and glaciers also shaped the landscape. The walk from Wasema to Rafu shows many volcanic features.
You will find many large rock formations, like granite boulders and basalt pipes, making the hike special. The hike takes about 5 to 6 hours.
Camp at Rafu, 4,000 meters above sea level.
Day 5: Trek to Sanetti Plateau
After breakfast, leave Rafu and hike to Sanetti Plateau. You may see birds of prey, falcons, and sometimes the Ethiopian wolf. Enjoy the wide alpine landscape, plateau lakes, and moorlands.
Meet your car here and drive to Robe town for the night. The trek will take seven to eight hours.
Overnight at Tokuma Hotel.
Day 6: Bale Mountains – Drive to Arbaminch
After breakfast, travel south to the town of Arbaminch. There will be a few stops along the way. When you arrive, settle into your hotel for the night.
Overnight at Tourist Hotel.
Day 7: Visit the Dorze Tribe
After breakfast, take a boat ride on Lake Chamo to see some of the largest crocodiles in the world resting by the lake. You will also see hippos and many birds. In the afternoon, drive to Guge Mountain to visit the Dorze Tribe.
The Dorze are known for their cotton weaving and beehive-shaped houses made from natural materials. In their village, see their unique huts, watch them weave cotton, and learn about their way of life.
Overnight at Tourist Hotel in Arbaminch.
Day 8: Drive to Turmi – Visit Konso & Hamar Tribes
After breakfast, travel to Turmi to visit tribes in the Omo Valley. On the way, stop at Konso village. The Konso are famous for their farming terraces and wooden totems that honor the dead. Their villages have high stone walls and are protected within separate areas.
After lunch, continue through the acacia forest to Turmi. Visit the nearby Hamar village. The Hamar women wear bright beaded necklaces, goatskin clothes, and metal bangles. Their hairstyles and jewelry show the wealth and status of their husbands.
Overnight at Emerald Lodge in Turmi.
Day 9: Drive to Omorate – Visit Dassanech Tribe then Continue to Jinka
Drive 75 km in the morning to Omorate, near the Kenyan border. Cross the Omo River by local boat and walk to a Dassanech village. The Dassanech are semi-nomadic and live along the Omo River in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya.
They are known for their unique hair styles. They farm and fish. After returning to Turmi, continue to Jinka. On the way, visit a village of the Ari people, who live in green areas near Jinka.
They grow coffee and fruits. Their villages are among the most beautiful in the country, surrounded by banana, avocado, and mango trees.
Overnight at Nasa Hotel in Jinka.
Day 10: Discover the Mursi Tribe then Fly Back to Addis
Early in the morning, travel through Mago National Park to visit a Mursi village. The Mursi are well known for women who wear clay discs to stretch their lower lips and men who take part in stick fighting called Donga.
The Mursi are one of the few tribes in Africa where women still wear these large discs. After the visit, return to Jinka and go to Jinka Bako Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Arrive in Addis by late afternoon.
