5 Days Bale Mountain Trekking Tours

Day 01: Addis Ababa – Bale Mountains National Park

Depart Addis Ababa in the morning and drive south to Bale Mountains National Park. Arrive at the park headquarters in Dinsho by afternoon and meet your local guides. Begin with a gentle hike across the Gaysey Grasslands, where you may spot two endemic mammals: Menelik’s Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. The area is also rich in birdlife, including the Blue-Winged Goose, Wattled Ibis, Spot-Breasted Lapwing, and Rouget’s Rail. Overnight: Campsite, Dinsho (3,200m)

Day 02: Trek to Finch Habera Campsite

Begin your trek through the Dinsho area and enter the heart of Bale Mountains National Park. The trail offers excellent chances to see Mountain Nyala and Menelik’s Bushbuck. As you ascend, keep an eye out for the elusive Ethiopian Wolf. Stop at Habera Waterfall for a scenic break before reaching Finch Habera Campsite. Trekking time: 5 hours | Overnight: Camping, Finch Habera (3,550m)

Day 03: Trek to Wasama Campsite

Trek through stunning landscapes and cross the Mararo Valley, where Lammergeyers and Verreaux’s Eagles nest. This is prime Ethiopian Wolf territory — Africa’s rarest canid. These wolves live in packs but hunt solo, feeding mostly on rodents. The trail offers expansive views and rich alpine flora. Trekking time: 8 hours | Overnight: Camping, Wasama (3,700m)

Ethiopian Wolf spotted in Bale Mountains — the rarest canid in Africa.

Day 04: Trek to Gebre Guracha

Begin the day by hiking up Mt. Wasama (4,200m), then descend into the Worgona Valley. The area is known for raptors, falcons, and more chances to spot Ethiopian Wolves. End the day at Lake Gebre Guracha, meaning “black lake” in Oromic, surrounded by dramatic highland scenery. Trekking time: 8 hours | Overnight: Camping, Gebre Guracha (3,900m)

Day 05: Gebre Guracha – Sennati Plateau – Addis Ababa

Take a short morning trek up to the Sennati Plateau to meet your vehicle. Drive back to Addis Ababa, arriving in the evening. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with live music and cultural dance performances. Transfer to the airport for late-night departure or hotel upon request. Trekking time: 2 hours

Lake Gebre Guracha — a serene alpine lake nestled in the Bale highlands.

Bale Mountains: Ethiopia’s Alpine Sanctuary

Bale Mountains National Park is one of Ethiopia’s most biodiverse regions, home to endemic mammals, rare birds, and dramatic landscapes. Its altitude ranges from 1,500 to over 4,300 meters, offering a mix of grasslands, cloud forests, and alpine plateaus.

Ethiopian Wolf: Africa’s Rarest Carnivore

The Ethiopian Wolf is found only in the highlands of Ethiopia, with Bale Mountains being its most important habitat. These striking red-coated canids are solitary hunters and are critically endangered, making sightings a highlight of any trek.

Birdwatching in Bale

Bale is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 280 species recorded. Endemics like the Abyssinian Longclaw, Blue-Winged Goose, and Spot-Breasted Lapwing thrive in the grasslands and wetlands, while raptors soar above the escarpments.

Cultural Farewell in Addis Ababa

Your final evening in Addis Ababa includes a traditional dinner with live performances representing Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic groups. It’s a festive and flavorful way to conclude your adventure through Ethiopia’s wild highlands.

Farewell dinner in Addis Ababa with cultural dance and traditional cuisine.