Day 1: Addis Ababa ✈ Goba - Dinsho

We take the early morning plane from Addis Ababa to Robe/Goba, Oromia. Our driver will wait us here and bring us to the gate of Bale Mountains National Park in Dinsho. Upon arrival, we will have a lunch break in Dinsho Lodge. Afterwards, we will hike in the nearby area, where we'll get a chance to see some endemic and endangered animals, such as Menilik’s Bushbuck, Mountain Nyala and Bohor Reedbuck antelopes, but also warthogs and baboons. If you love birds, you will be amazed to find rare ones, like the Ethiopian Siskin, the Wattled Ibis, and Abyssinian Longclaw, that only live here in Ethiopia. We stay overnight at Dinsho Lodge at an altitude of 3000 m.

Day 2: Dinsho – Sodota 

After breakfast we will start our hike from Dinsho to Sodota, which will be about 18 km and 6 hrs long. On the way, you will enjoy the spectacular scenery of Bale Mountains and during the rainy season we can even see Fincha Habera Waterfall. On the way we will observe the endemic Ethiopian Wolf and high-altitude endemic birds, like the Blue-winged Goose, which is is one of the rarest and most isolated goose in the world. After arrival at Sodota campsite, we will enjoy our meal and stay here at 3400 m.

Day 3: Sodota – Keyrensa

We begin our 6 hours hike to Kerensa. On this trek we will pass through breath-taking gorges and valleys and the extraordinary viewpoint of the Wasama Valley. Again, we have very good chances to spot a variety of birds, particularly raptors, as well as the Ethiopian Wolf. After arrival at the campsite you will have lunch and a long break. We will stay overnight at Keyrensa campsite, with another amazing landscape at an altitude of 4000 m above sea level. 

Day 4: Keyrensa - Rafu 

The hike to Rafu will take about 7 hrs and will reach an altitude of around 4100 m. It will be a steep climbing and we will pass by volcanic rock pillars near Rafu, from where we enjoy spectacular panoramic views. This hike will be a bit more challenging regarding altitude and difficulty level, but you will enjoy an unforgettable trekking experience. On this way, we should also see Rock Hyrax, birds of prey, cliff springers and other mammals. Overnight we stay at Rafu campsite.

Day 5: Rafu – Gerba Guracha 

We take a long trek through one of the largest Afro-alpine part of the African Continent, the Senetti plateau. After we reach our campsite, we will take a walk around the biggest lake in Bale Mountains "Gerba Guracha", which means ” Black Lake”. A variety of water birds usually stays around the lake. Overnight we stay at Gerba Guracha campsite.
 

Day 6: Gerba Guracha – Tullu Dimtu - Harenna Forest

Today it will take us 6 hours to explore the Senetti Plateau, usually the best place to see the Ethiopian Wolf. We also will visit the Crane Lakes and climb the 2nd highest point of Ethiopia “Mount Tullu Deemtu,” offering spectacular views of the surrounding areas at an altitude of 4377 m. In the late afternoon we proceed to Harenna Forest. Depending on your budget, we either camp here at the campsite or stay at Bale Mountains Lodge, one of the best lodges in Ethiopia.

Day 7: Harenna Forest – Goba ✈ Addis Ababa

We will start our day with a birding tour in one of the largest rainforests in Ethiopia. Here we find birds like the Abyssinian Catbird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, White-backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Yellow-crowned Canary and Somali Chestnut Winged Starling. While looking for birds, we can also see other animals, like Colobus and other monkeys. We return to the lodge, enjoy a late lunch and depart then to Goba, where we take the afternoon plane to Addis Ababa. Here we end our tour with a dinner at a traditional restaurant. We will drop you at the airport, if you have to take an international flight.