Tour overview
This 8 days trip takes you to beautiful and breathtaking Bale Mountains National Park and hike through amazing scenery. The Bale Mountains are high mountains, which are an area for a great trekking experience Trekking in the Bale Mountains is easy and can be done by everybody who can deal with the high altitude of more than 4000m. The Mountains support the most extensive area of Afro alpine and sub alpine Ericaceous vegetation in Africa. They have the highest rate of animal endemicity of any terrestrial habitat in the world, which was the principal reason for the creation of the Bale Mountains National Park in 1970. Book this trip to enjoy the stunning scenery, the endemic mammals and birds of Ethiopia.
The Bale Mountains national park is located 400km southeast of Addis Ababa. Bale contains a spectacularly diverse landscape. Bale Mountains National Park is a high altitude plateau that is broken by numerous spectacular volcanic plugs and peaks, beautiful alpine lakes and rushing mountain streams that descend into deep rocky gorges on their way to the lowlands below. The high altitude, afro-montane Sanetti Plateau rises to over 4,000m and includes the highest peak in the southern Ethiopia highlands. This undulating plateau is marked by numerous glacial lakes and swamps and surrounded by higher volcanic ridges and peaks. The southern slopes are covered by the lush and largely unexplored Harenna Forest. The place is known for its unimaginable and wholly unique natural beauty and wildlife. Thanks to the isolation of these mountains, the park has an incredibly high number of endemic species, and the wide altitudinal range has resulted in a variety of belts of vegetation that support many niche species of both flora and fauna. The open spaces of the high Sanetti Plateau are possibly the easiest place to see the rare Ethiopian wolf, while nearby Harenna Forest is the place to find bush pig, giant forest hog, grey duiker and occasionally lion and leopard. Menelik’s bushbuck, the endemic mountain Nyala and giant mole rat, all endemic to the Bale Mountains, can also be seen here. The park is a bird paradise with several endemic birds including the thick-billed raven, Wattled Ibis, blue-winged goose, and Rouget’s rail.
Day 1: Arrive in Addis Abeba Ethiopia & City Tour
Welcome to Ethiopia! Arrive at Addis Abeba Bole International Airport. Here you will be greeted by your tour guide or driver from Memento Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and relax you will spend the afternoon on a site seeing of Addis Abeba. Established by Emperor Menelik II 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New flower’ in Amharic, is relatively young city full of contrasts. This city tour includes, The National Museum which houses the country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy”, The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Ethiopian main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city and end the tour with Merkato, one of the largest open air markets in Africa.
Overnight: Addis Abeba.
Accommodation: Hotel.
Day 2: Travel to Bale Mountains National Park.
After breakfast, start a full day scenic drive to the Bale Mountains National Park, traveling throughNazareth (Adama) town and the southeast part of the capital, where fertile land is cultivated by the Oromo people. Arrive at Dinsho, Park head quarter, in the afternoon, in time for a walk around to see three of the endemic mammals: Menelik's Bushbuck and Mountain Nyala. And birds like Blue-winged Goose, Spot-Breasted Lapwing, Abyssinian Long Claw, Wattled Ibis, Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and of course other species, too. Finally transfer to Goba town.
Overnight: Goba.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 3: Hike from Dinsho to Sodota
Today after breakfast, you will start the trek to the first camp Sodota, through the lush vegetation of the web valley. Continue to the waterfall of FinchaHabera. During the trek, we may see wolves from Abyssinia and other wild animals and the high-altitude endemic birds such as: Blue Winged Goose.
Walking Time: 5/6 Hours
Distance- 18 kms
Overnight- Sodota Camp in Tent
Elevation: 3,500 meters.
Day 4: Hike from Sodota to Keyrensa
Continue hiking to Keyrensa camp through the magical landscapes of the valleys and gorges of the Web, skirting mount Wasemaand the extraordinary viewpoint of the Wasama Valley. Watch many species of birds, including raptors, as well as the Abyssinian wolf. Along today’s route you will have stops at special viewpoints for photography. This hike is a bit more challenging than others with the high altitude, but you will enjoy it and get unforgettable trekking experience.
Walking Time: 6.5 Hours
Distance- 18 kms
Overnight- Keyrensa Camp in Tent
Elevation: 3,750 meters.
Day 5: Hike from Keyrensa to Rafu
Today’s hike takes you towards Rafu camp site. It is located at almost 4000 m altitude on the escarpment of the immense Senate Plateau, territory of the endemic Ethiopian Wolf. The climb to Rafu passes via the Harenna escarpment, where you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the forest, 2000m below. You will have the opportunity to see the Rock Hyrax, birds of prey, and klipspringer .You will reach at the camp, surrounded by rock pillars, fruits of an old lava flow.
Walking Time: 6.5/ 7Hours
Distance- 20 kms
Overnight- Rafu Camp in Tent
Elevation: 3,900 - 4,100 meters.
Day 6: Hike from Rafu towards Harenna
Today’s trek takes you through Harenna Forest, second in the country by its density. Like a landscape from a Grimm fairy tale, you'll pass through twisted, moss-covered trees that give the place a magical atmosphere. This area is home to many species of primates, such as the Olive Baboon, the Gurezera Monkey and the Balé Monkey (recently discovered species, close to the vervet Monkey). Some Leopards, sometimes Lions and Wild dogs find refuge there, but rarely show. Continue your hiking to the bamboo forest and the waterfalls. In the village of Rira, locals will surely show you their hospitality around a traditional ceremony of coffee or tea.
Walking Time: 7 Hours.
Distance- 22 kms
Overnight- Rira Camp in Tent
Elevation: 3,900 meters.
Day 7: Drive to Harenna Forest, Climb to Tullu Dimtu & Transfer to Goba or Langano.
This morning you will meet your car and drive to main part of Harenna Forest.The Harenna Forest is one of the most extensive natural forests remaining in Ethiopia. This forest, far denser and more varied than the juniper woodland and has a similar appearance and composition to the forests found in other East African mountain landscapes.Lions live in this densely wooded region though it is rare to see. Here in the forest you have chance to see primate species such as endemic Bale Monkey, Colobus Monkey and other. After Harenna continue towards Mount Tullu Dimitu meaning “The Red Mountain”. This is the second highest point in Ethiopia at 4,377meters above sea level. You can climb up 5 kms from the main road or drive up and down with the car. The summit located in the famous Senate Plateau. This vast highland region is the world’s largest expanse of Afro-alpine moorland, a montane habitat with an average elevation above 13,000 feet. The plateau is renowned for supporting the largest remaining population of Ethiopian Wolf. The plateau is crawling with Rodents, the largest being the Giant Mole rat found only in Bale Mountains. Finally transfer to Langano to relax on the lake side or Spent the night at the nearest town Goba.
Day 8: Return Back to Addis Ababa &Departure
Today you will drive back to Addis Ababa. Then transfer to hotel to rest and get settled before your night flight or you can do last minute shopping. In the evening enjoy final farewell dinner at a well-known local Ethiopian restaurant with cultural danses. Later this evening you will be transferred to Addis Abeba Bole International Airport for your return flight back home. Your vacation ends here.
