The vibrant launch pad for your Bale Mountains trekking adventure.
Bale Mountains Trekking | 11-Day Ethiopia Alpine Adventure
A Majestic Journey through Ethiopia's Alpine Wonderland
Plunge into Bale Mountains trekking-paradise on this expedition from Addis Ababa’s café culture to Lake Langano’s bird-rich shores, then up to giant-heather moorlands alive with Ethiopian wolf sightings. Our route blends rugged trails, cosy camps and authentic lodge nights to deliver the ultimate Ethiopia wildlife adventure across Afro-alpine plateaux and into the misty Harenna Forest—an emerging favourite for fans of Ethiopian alpine trails.
Destination Highlights
Highlighted Destinations
Unwind at a stunning lakeside eco-lodge, with hippos as your soundtrack.
Enter a wildlife haven, where the rare and majestic mountain nyala roam free.
Follow rivers to cascading waterfalls, catching your first glimpse of the Ethiopian wolf.
Trek across the roof of Ethiopia, a breathtaking Afro-alpine landscape.
Descend into a lush cloud forest, filled with Bale monkeys and the aroma of wild coffee.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by day Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa & City Tour
- Fly to Addis Ababa; upon arrival at Bole international airport, our hospitality begins. We provide you with a meet-and-greet service at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel for overnight accommodation. The city enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C (77°F). With a multiethnic population of over 5 million, Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacaranda trees, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the 'Mercato'. After your long flight and a welcome briefing, you can settle into your hotel for some rest.
- Overnight in Addis Ababa
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Lake Langano (200km)
- After Breakfast, we drive to Bishangari Lodge at the shores of Lake Langano (approx. 4 hours). Bishangari Lodge is an eco-lodge situated within genuinely preserved nature. 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.
- Overnight: Lake Langanoo Bishangari Lodge
Day 3: Lake Langano – Dinsho (250km)
- After breakfast, we continue our journey through Shashemane 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 & 5: Trek from Dinsho to Habera and next day to Sodota (18km)
- 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 6: Trek from Keyrensa to Rafu (20km)
- 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 other mammals.
- Overnight: Rafu campsite
Day 7: Trek from Rafu to Gerba Guracha (22km)
- 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 (17km)
- 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 & 10: Senetti – Harenna – Goba (40km)
- 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 pristine Harenna forest on foot and hopefully spot the endemic Bale monkeys as well as Colobus monkeys. In the late afternoon we will drive to Robe, where we will spend the night at the hotel.
- Overnight: at Robe
Day 11: Fly to Addis Ababa
- This morning you will transfer to Robe airport to your flight back to Addis Ababa. You will have the afternoon at leisure. Depending on your flight, you will be transferred to Bole airport.
Begin Your Adventure with Sawla Tours
At Sawla Tours, we believe that every journey should be as unique as the traveler. Our expert team is dedicated to crafting personalized itineraries that reflect your interests and passions, ensuring an unforgettable Ethiopian experience.
Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, wildlife adventures, or breathtaking landscapes, we tailor each tour to your preferences. From the moment you reach out, our travel designers work closely with you to create a bespoke itinerary that captures the essence of Ethiopia.
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