bale mountains trekking - 11 Days
Duration
11 Days 10Nights
Tour Type
Specific Tour
Group Size
Unlimited
Languages
Amharic, English
TOUR ITINERARY
Addis Ababa - Bale Mountains National Park
Morning departure driving from Addis to the Bale Mountains National Park. Arrive at the park headquarters in the afternoon. Meet with guides and drive to the Gaysey Grasslands. Take a leisurely afternoon hike, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik’s Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and numerous other species.
Overnight Camping Dinsho (3,200 meters above sea level)
To Adelay Campsite
Departing Dinsho campsite, trek to Adelay via the Geysay Valley and the Web River, viewing the Web waterfall en route. During the hike, there will be great opportunities to see the Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, and possibly Colobus Monkeys. The Bale Mountains is rated as one of the top birding sites in Africa with over 300 species, six of which are endemic to Ethiopia. As you trek look for such species as the Chestnut-naped Francolin, the secretive Abyssinia Ground-thrush, the vocal Abyssinian Catbird, the endemic White-backed Black-Tit, Black-headed Siskin, Black-winged Lovebird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Tawny Eagle , Little Sparrowhawk, and the African Harrier-Hawk.
Trekking time: 4 – 5 hours.
Overnight Camping Adelay (3,400 masl)
To Finch Habera Campsite
Trek through the Web Valley to the next campsite at Finch Habera. Take a rest at the scenic Habera waterfall. Near the Web River look for the rock hyrax along the gorge. Although weighing only about 5 kilograms the rock hyrax is most closely related to the elephant in the animal kingdom. Birds you may see today include the Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Blue-winged Goose, Little Grebe, and Augur Buzzard.
Trekking time: 6 hours.
Overnight Camping Finch Habera (3,550 masl)
To Wasama Campsite
Trek to Wasama through a beautiful landscape with stunning views. Pass through Mararo Valley where the Lammergeyer and Verraux Eagles keep nests. At this point in the trek we begin to look for the Ethiopian Wolf, the rarest canid in the world and Africa’s most threatened carnivore. Ethiopian Wolves live in packs of between 2 and 18 animals but are solo hunters surviving primarily on a diet of rodents.
Trekking time: 8 hours.
Overnight Camping Wasama (3,700 masl)
To Worgana Campsite
Start the day by trekking up and traversing a pass near Mt. Wassema (4,200 masl). Continue down into the Worgona Valley. Falcons, raptors, and possibly the Ethiopian Wolf will be visible.
Trekking time: 4 hours.
Overnight Camping Worgana (3,700 masl)
To Gebre Guracha Campsite
Continue trekking towards, the Senetti Plateau. This will be the third distinct and unique habitat that you traverse, the first two being the Gaysay Grasslands and the Juniper Woodlands. Dotting the landscape here are many Giant Lobelia, a flowering plant which can grow up to three meters in height.
Trekking time: 5 hours.
Overnight Camping Gebre Guracha (3,900 masl)
Trek to Rafu Campsite
Trek along the Senetti Plateau at over 4,000 meters above sea level this is the largest continuous area of its altitude in Africa. This is a great chance to see the endemic Ethiopian Wolf and many birds of prey.
Trekking time: 8 hours.
Overnight Camping Rafu (4,000 masl)
Trek to Rira Village Campsite
Trek past unique rock formations and begin descending from the Sanetti Plateau into the Erica Forest, the fourth distinct habitat on our trek. Arrive at Rira Village and learn firsthand from the villagers about their lifestyle and culture. Venture into the forest to gather honey from one of the traditional beehives perched high in the trees. Return to the village for some traditionally brewed coffee and snack.
Trekking time: 7 hours.
Overnight Camping Rira Village (3,200 masl)
Trek to Kella Campsite
Trek through Rira village into open woodlands. After an hour descend down to the dense Harenna forest, our fifth habitat, looking for Bale and Colobus monkeys. Honey is an important food for the local villagers and you will see hundreds of traditional bee hives on the trees. Birds we might see include the Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian Catbird. Yellow Bishop, Thekla’s Lark, Abyssinian Oriole , Abyssinian Woodpecker, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Narina Trogon, and White-cheecked Turaco.
Trekking time: 5 hours.
Overnight Camping Kella Campsite (2,500 masl)
Bale Mountains National Park - Addis Ababa
Trek through dense bamboo forest towards Gushuralle. Wildlife you may come across includes Bale monkey, Menelik’s bushbuck, warthog, colobus monkey, and giant forest hog. Although sightings are rarer, keep your eyes peeled for leopard and lion. The summit of Gushuralle provides spectacular views across the Harenna forest. It takes about 2-3 hours to reach the apex of Gushuralle. Continue to the Bale Mountain Lodge.
Trekking time: 4 hours.
Overnight Bale Mountain Lodge
Bale Mountains National Park - Addis Ababa
Trek through dense bamboo forest towards Gushuralle. Wildlife you may come across includes Bale monkey, Menelik’s bushbuck, warthog, colobus monkey, and giant forest hog. Although sightings are rarer, keep your eyes peeled for leopard and lion. The summit of Gushuralle provides spectacular views across the Harenna forest. It takes about 2-3 hours to reach the apex of Gushuralle. Continue to the Bale Mountain Lodge.
Trekking time: 4 hours.
Overnight Bale Mountain Lodge