Day 1: Flight Addis Ababa – Bale Mountains
Take an early flight from Addis Ababa to Robe in the Bale Mountains. In the afternoon, after arriving at the Bale Mountains Headquarters, take a short walk through the park’s woodland area. Explore the surroundings and look for wildlife.
This area is home to many birds found only in Ethiopia and Abyssinia. You may also see warthogs, the native Mountain Nyala, Bohor Reedbuck, and Menelik’s Bushbuck.
The Bale Mountains have the largest area of high moorland in Africa, ranging in height from 9,500 feet to 14,360 feet. The Mountain Nyala is unique to this area and protected as a national park.
The park is mostly wild and untouched, with wide open spaces, bogs, rocky peaks, small lakes, heathland, and cloud forests. Mount Tullu Dimtu, one of Ethiopia’s highest peaks at 4,377 meters, is also inside the park.
Overnight at Tokuma Hotel.
Day 2: Explore Bale Mountains Sanetti Plateau
After breakfast, drive through Bale Mountains National Park to the high-altitude Sanetti Plateau. Spend as much time as possible exploring this area.
The Sanetti Plateau is the best place to see the Ethiopian wolf, the world’s most endangered wild dog. The winding road around the plateau is one of Africa’s best all-weather routes to spot this rare animal.
The plateau also has many rodents, including the large molerat, which lives only in the Bale Mountains.
Stop at Tullu Dimtu, also called the “Red Mountain.” It is the highest point in the park at 4,377 meters.
Overnight at Tokuma Hotel.
Day 3: Explore Bale Mountains Harenna Forest
After breakfast, if the weather is good, drive to Harenna Forest, located on the edge of the Harenna Escarpment.
Harenna Forest is the second largest rainforest in the country.
Rira is a small village at the base of the escarpment. You can take an easy two-hour walk through the forest if you want to explore more. Otherwise, relax and enjoy some local food.
Along the way, you will see two waterfalls and a bamboo-lined canyon. Watch for the rare Bale monkey and the black and white colobus monkey.
Overnight at Tokuma Hotel.
Day 4: Flight Back to Addis
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your morning flight back to Addis Ababa.
