Trekking in the Bale Mountains – 10 days
Overview
An excellent destination for wildlife enthusiasts, this is home to the Ethiopian wolf, Bale monkey, and Harenna chameleon, and considered one of the top birding destinations in all of Africa.
Day 1: Arrival and Addis Ababa City Tour
Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel.
We have various sightseeing options:
- Mount Entoto with the best views over the capital.
- Institute of Ethiopian Studies, where you can see a variety of artifacts from all the different regions reflecting the history and culture of the country
- National Museumwhich among other exhibits the 3.5-million-year-old bones of Lucy.
- Trinity Cathedral: this is the burial place of members of the imperial family and noted patriots; the cathedral is the most magnificent of its kind in the country, ornamented with carvings, mosaics and other artistic works.
- The Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa,
Accommodation: Hotel, Addis Ababa
Day 2: Addis Ababa– Lake Langano
After Breakfast, we drive to Lake Langano (approx. 4 hours). You may relax on the beach (swimming is possible), take a walk through the lodge and encounter wild animals such as Warthogs or Olive Baboons in front of your bungalow. The lodges can arrange many activities such as trekking through the nearby forest, mountain biking, bird watching, fishing, hippo spotting or horse riding.
Accommodation: Lodge, Lake Langano
Day 3: Lake Langano – Dinsho
After breakfast, we continue our journey through Shshamane to Dinsho, where the headquarters of the Bale Mountains National Park are located (approx. 5 hours). In the afternoon we undertake a gentle, very interesting walk around the headquarters in Dinsho and almost certainly encounter animals such as warthogs, the endemic Menelik bushbuck or the Mountain Nyala as well as a variety of birds.
Overnight: Dinsho Campsite
Day 4: Trek from Dinsho to Sodota
Today we trek from Dinsho through the Web Valley towards the Fincha Habera waterfall, where the Web and Wolla rivers meet. In this area, we have our first chances to see the endemic Ethiopian Wolf, as well as raptors, rock hyrax and many more species. After refreshing us at the pleasant waterfall, we continue to Sodota.
Overnight: Sodota campsite
Day 5: Trek from Sodota to Keyrensa
Today we continue our trek through magic landscapes to the Keyrensa campsite. Again, we have very good chances to spot a variety of bird species, particularly raptors, as well as he Ethiopian wolf.
Overnight: Keyrensa campsite
Day 6: Trek from Keyrensa to Rafu
Today the way will be steep climbing up to the Rafu campsite. We then will pass by the volcanic rock pillars near Rafu from where we enjoy spectacular panoramic views. On the way we should see Rock Hyrax, birds of prey, cliffs springer and others mammals.
Overnight: Rafu campsite
Day 7: Trek from Rafu to Gerba Guracha
Today we have a long trek through the largest Afro alpine part of the
African Continent, the Senneti plateau, ahead. After we reach our campsite, we will take a walk around the biggest lake in the Bale Mountains, called Gerba Guracha or ”Black Lake”. A variety of water birds usually stay around the lake.
Overnight: Gerba Guracha campsite
Day 8: Trek from Garba Guracha to Senetti
Today it will take us approx. 5-6 hrs to explore the Senetti Plateau, usually the best place to see the Ethiopian wolf. We also will have a chance to visit
the Crane Lakes and climb the 2nd highest point of Ethiopia “Mount Tullu Deemtu,” offering at an altitude 4377 m spectacular views of the surrounding areas. Highland birding includes the Abyssinian Catbird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, White-backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Yellow-crowned Canary, Somali Chestnut Winged Starling, Olive Pigeon and Mountain Buzzard.
Overnight: Camp at Senetti Campsite
Day 9: Senetti – Harenna – Goba (or Bale Mountains Lodge)
After breakfast, we will be met by our vehicles and we will drive from the Senetti plateau down to Harrena forest (the largest rain forest in Ethiopia), the southern part of the national park holding a unique vegetation and animals. We explore parts of the prestine Harenna forest on foot and hopefully spot the endemic Bale monkeys as well as Colobus monkeys. In the late afternoon we will drive to Goba, where we will spend the night at the hotel.
Accommodation: Goba Wabeshebele Hotel, Goba
Day 10: Goba – Addis Ababa (flight)
We fly back from Goba to Addis Ababa. You will be transferred from the airport in Addis Ababa to your hotel (a day room until 6 pm will be provided). In the evening, you are invited to a traditional Ethiopian dinner and dance at a renowned restaurant of Addis Ababa. After dinner, you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure or, if you are still staying in Addis Ababa overnight, back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel in Addis Ababa or Departure
