The journey starts in Addis Ababa, where travelers arrive and stay overnight. The next day, they fly to Bale Mountains to begin their trek. They hike from Dinsho to Adelay, spotting Menelik’s bushbuck and mountain nyala. The trek continues through Sodota, Wasema, and Rafu, offering chances to see the Ethiopian wolf and stunning volcanic landscapes.
They then explore the Sanetti Plateau and Harenna Forest, home to rare animals like Bale monkeys. Afterward, they drive to Lake Langano to relax.
On the final day, they visit Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park before returning to Addis Ababa for their flight home.
Day 1: Arrival in Ethiopia
You will land at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, where our guide will meet you and drive you to the lodge where you will spend the night.
Day 2: Flight to Bale Mountains
After breakfast, we will start our drive to the Bale Mountains. Upon arrival, we will head to the park headquarters to receive hiking instructions and complete the necessary clearances.
We expect to see Menelik’s bushbuck and the mountain nyala, which are endemic to this area. Some of the birds we may see include the black-headed siskin, wattled ibis, and Abyssinian catbird.
Day 3: Trek to Adelay
We will hike for about 16 kilometers from Dinsho to the campsite at Adelay. The hike will take us through grasslands where we have chances of seeing rare antelopes such as Menelik’s bushbuck and the mountain nyala. We will also explore the woodland area of the park.
Day 4: Trek from Adelay to Sodota Campsite
After breakfast, we will hike to Sodota, covering about 18 kilometers. The hike will take us through beautiful scenery. We will explore the point where the Web and Wolla rivers meet.
There will be a higher chance of seeing the Ethiopian wolf here. The rare blue-winged goose is another bird to look out for in this area.
Day 5: Trek from Sodota to Wasema
After breakfast, we will trek to Wasema, passing through breathtaking scenery and stunning landscapes. We will go through the valleys of Mararo, which is a good spot for Verreaux’s eagles.
If you missed the Ethiopian wolf earlier, this area will give you another chance to see this rare species. The entire hike will take about 7 hours.
Day 6: Trek from Wasema to Rafu
During this part of our adventure, we will be deep in the wilderness, where we can see the Masif Mountains. These mountains were formed as a result of volcanic activity.
The trek will take us through landscapes that show strong volcanic influence, with basalt pipes and granite rocks scattered around. Today’s hike will take about 6 hours.
Day 7: Trek to Sanetti Plateau
We will trek from Rafu to the beautiful Sanetti Plateau. Some of the wildlife we expect to see here include falcons, raptors, and possibly the Ethiopian wolf.
The Afro-alpine moorland vegetation provides breathtaking views, and we will also explore the lakes on the plateau.
Day 8: Drive to Harenna Forest
Today, we will hike to the Harenna Forest, the second-largest tropical rainforest in Ethiopia.
While in the forest, we may see rare wildlife, including the Ethiopian wolf, ruddy shelduck, wattled crane, blue-winged goose, and Abyssinian hare. Another unique animal to look out for is the Bale monkey, which is endemic to this region.
Later, we will return to Robe for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 9: Drive to Lake Langano
After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Langano, making a few stops along the way.
Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel, one of the best in the area. In the afternoon, you can relax, swim, visit the spa, or simply sit and watch the sunset over Lake Langano.
Day 10: Drive Back to Addis Ababa
In the morning, we will take a short drive to Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park for a game drive. Here, we will try to spot warthogs, Grant’s gazelles, black-backed jackals, ostriches, and baboons.
In the afternoon, we will drive back to Addis Ababa. We will stop for lunch to enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine, accompanied by entertainment from a local cultural troupe.
After lunch, we will drive to the airport in time for your flight back home.
