9-Day Bale Mountains National Park Trekking Adventure

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Tour Type: Trekking & Eco-Adventure
Start/End: Addis Ababa
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (Altitude and daily hiking)
Best Season: October to March (dry season)

Day 1 – Arrival in Addis Ababa

• Arrival at Bole International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel.

• If time allows, explore Addis Ababa:

  • Visit the National Museum, Ethnological Museum, or Entoto Hill.

• Pre-trek briefing with your mountain guide.

• Overnight: Addis Ababa (Hotel)

Day 2 – Drive to Dinsho (Bale Mountains HQ)

• Drive (~7–8 hrs) south via Shashamene to Dinsho, the park headquarters.

• Check in and begin acclimatization in the Gaysay Grasslands, known for:

  • Mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, warthogs, and birdlife.

• Meet your trekking team: local guide, cook, and mule handlers.

• Overnight: Dinsho Guesthouse or camping near HQ

Day 3 – Trek from Dinsho to Sodota (5–6 hrs)

• Start your trek through alpine meadows and juniper woodlands.

• Cross rivers and open highland plateaus.

• Spot endemic wildlife such as mountain nyala and Bohor reedbuck.

• Arrive at Sodota campsite with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

• Overnight: Camping at Sodota (3,500 m)

Day 4 – Trek to Wasema (6–7 hrs)

• Continue trekking through Afro-alpine meadows, following ridges and valleys.

• Pass dramatic rock formations and possible encounters with Abyssinian wolf (Africa’s rarest canid).

• Picnic lunch en route; reach Wasema campsite, nestled near volcanic hills.

• Overnight: Camping at Wasema (3,800 m)

Day 5 – Trek to Rafu / Gebre Guracha Lake (5–6 hrs)

• Hike toward Gebre Guracha (“Black Lake”), one of the highest alpine lakes in Ethiopia.

• Cross high-altitude moorlands and spot giant lobelias and Ethiopian wolves.

• Arrive at Rafu or Gebre Guracha campsite, beside the serene lake.

• Overnight: Camping at Rafu or Gebre Guracha (3,900 m)

Day 6 – Trek to Sanetti Plateau & Drive to Goba

• Early morning trek across the Sanetti Plateau (4,000+ m), often called the “Roof of Africa.”

• Highest point: Tullu Dimtu (4,377 m), the second-highest peak in Ethiopia (optional summit).

• Explore the Afro-alpine ecosystem, home to endemic birds and wolves.

• Meet your driver and transfer by vehicle to Goba town for rest and a hot shower.

• Overnight: Hotel in Goba

Day 7 – Excursion to Harenna Forest

• Day trip south into the lush Harenna Forest, a striking contrast to the highlands.

• Hike in the cloud forest searching for Colobus monkeys, giant forest hogs, and rare birds.

• Optional visit to Bale monkey habitat or local coffee farms.

• Return to Goba in the afternoon.

• Overnight: Goba (Hotel)

Day 8 – Drive Back to Addis Ababa

• Full-day scenic drive back to Addis Ababa (~8 hrs), stopping for lunch and photo breaks along the way.

• Evening at leisure or farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant.

• Overnight: Addis Ababa (Hotel)

Day 9 – Departure

• Depending on flight schedule, optional shopping or sightseeing.

• Transfer to Bole International Airport for your departure.

✅ Included in the Tour

• All accommodations (hotels, lodges, and full camping setup)

• Ground transportation with experienced driver

• Bale Mountains Park entry fees and local permits

• Professional English-speaking trekking guide and scout

• Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, cooking gear)

• Full trekking support team (cook, muleteers, pack animals)

• All meals during the trek, breakfasts and dinners in towns

• Bottled and filtered water during trek

🧳 What to Pack

• Trekking boots (broken-in) and warm clothing (nights are cold)

• Waterproof gear and windbreaker

• Daypack for personal items

• Flashlight/headlamp

• Reusable water bottle and personal first aid kit

• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen