Trekking in Ethiopia's Bale Mountains; 6 Days / 5 Nights

Itinerary BM05

Arrival Bole International Airport
If you are arriving the day before your tour, Awaze Tours will meet you at the airport regardless of arrival time. We can book this hotel night for you upon request. If you arrive in the morning on the first day of the tour, you may begin after checking into your hotel.

Spot Breasted Plover

Day 01 Addis Ababa - Bale Mountains National Park

Drive from Addis to the Bale Mountains National Park. Arrive at the park headquarters in the afternoon, in time for a leisurely afternoon hike, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik's Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and numerous other species.

Overnight Camping Dinsho (3,200 meters above sea level)

The Harenna Forest

Day 02 To Adelay Campsite

Departing Dinsho campsite, trek to Adelay via the Geysay Valley and the Web River, viewing the Web waterfall en route. During the hike, there will be great opportunities to see the Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, and possibly Colobus Monkeys. The Bale Mountains is rated as one of the top birding sites in Africa with over 300 species, six of which are endemic to Ethiopia. As you trek look for such species as the Chestnut-naped Francolin, the secretive Abyssinia Ground-thrush, the vocal Abyssinian Catbird, the endemic White-backed Black-Tit, Black-headed Siskin, Black-winged Lovebird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Tawny Eagle , Little Sparrowhawk, and the African Harrier-Hawk.
Trekking time: 5 hours.

Overnight Camping Adelay (3,400 meters above sea level)

Female Mountain Nyala.

Day 03 To Finch Habera Campsite

Trek through the Web Valley to the next campsite at Finch Habera. Take a rest at the scenic Habera waterfall. Near the Web River look for the rock hyrax along the gorge. Although weighing only about 5 kilograms the rock hyrax is most closely related to the elephant in the animal kingdom. Birds you may see today include the Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Blue-winged Goose, Little Grebe, and Augur Buzzard.
Trekking time: 6 hours.

Overnight Camping Finch Habera (3,550 meters above sea level)

Tawny Eagles

Day 04 To Wasama Campsite

Trek to Wasama through a beautiful landscape with stunning views. Pass through Mararo Valley where the Lammergeyer and Verraux Eagles keep nests. At this point in the trek we begin to look for the Ethiopian Wolf, the rarest canid in the world and Africa’s most threatened carnivore. Ethiopian Wolves live in packs of between 2 and 18 animals but are solo hunters surviving primarily on a diet of rodents.
Trekking time: 7 hours.

Overnight Camping Wasama (3,700 meters above sea level)

Rock Formations near Rira

Day 05 To Gebre Guracha Campsite

Start the day by hiking up Mt. Wasama (4200m) and then continue down into the Worgona Valley. Falcons, raptors, and possibly the Ethiopian Wolf will be visible. End the day at Lake Gebre Gurracha, meaning “black lake” in the Oromic language.
Trekking time: 5 hours.

Overnight Camping Gebre Guracha (3,900 meters above sea level)

Day 06 Bale Mountains National Park - Addis Ababa

Take a short trek from Gebre Gurracha up to the Sennati Plateau to meet vehicles. Return to Addis Ababa. Enjoy dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure or additional hotel night booked upon request.
(B, L, D)

End of Trek
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)

For Information and Pricing: BM05