Are you on the lookout for an unforgettable adventure combining sightseeing, hiking, and outdoor relaxation? Then a trip to the Bale Mountains, located some 400 kilometers away from Addis Ababa, is the best excursion for you!
Located in south-eastern Ethiopia, the Bale Mountains National Park is one of Ethiopia’s most scenic places with diverse endemic flora and fauna. The mountains are home to 20 animals endemic to Ethiopia, including the Bale monkey and the giant mole-rat which are found nowhere else in the world. More than half of the population of the Ethiopian wolf also lives in the Bale Mountains. Leopard, lion, the African wild dog, Nyala, the Menelik’s bushbuck, and Spotted hyena also roam within the Bale Mountains National Park, in addition to the dozens of reptiles and amphibians living in the park. With its rich birdlife of over 280 species, the Bale Mountains is also a paradise for bird lovers.
Covering an area of 2,200 square kilometers and an altitudinal range of 2013 to 4385m, the Bale Mountains National Park supports a huge variety of plant life. The mountains are divided into grasslands, woodlands, Afro-alpine meadowlands, the Erica moorlands, and the Harenna forest. Around 1,300 species of flowering plants are found in the Bale Mountains including plants that are endemic to Ethiopia. With its yellow flowers, the Helichrysum (‘everlasting’ flowers) is one of the most dominant flowers in the Bale Mountains. During your visit to the park, you will also enjoy the strangely twisted Juniper Trees which some describe as a scene straight out of a Harry Potter film.’ As you tour the southern part of the Bale Mountains, you will get a chance to walk through the heavy forest where wild forest coffee (Coffee Arabica) grows.
The Bale Mountains are also a great place for people who are fond of hiking. You can have multi-day treks arranged for you, ranging from 2-12 days with overnights at campsites sprinkled across the park. The routes and lengths of your trek can also be adjusted based on your preference.
To get to the Bale Mountains, visitors usually take a flight from Addis Ababa to the nearby airport in Robe town and travel by car for around 2 hours. Avoiding the flight and driving from Addis through the Rift Valley is a truly rewarding experience. During the two-day drive from the capital, you will enjoy Ethiopia’s scenic landscape and make the most out of your travel.
In terms of accommodation, you have limited options around the national park. The Bale Mountains Lodge, located within the park, is the best place to stay and relax especially during sunset. If you want more affordable accommodation, you can turn to basic hotels in Goba or Dinsho districts. Well-brewed honey beer (‘Tej’) is also a bonus for visitors who enjoy local drinks.
The best time to enjoy the beauty of the Bale Mountains is September and October, right after Ethiopia’s rainy season. But the perfect time for hiking is between October and March when the season gets drier. Mark your calendar to visit this stunning natural treasure which is like no other. Your visit will indeed be unforgettable!