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Treks in Ethiopia's National Parks
Ethiopia has nine national parks, but two are most popular for trekking and camping: the Bale Mountains and the Simien Mountains. Awaze Tours provides all camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags, and camp kitchen. A trekking guide, park scout, and camp cook accompany all treks. Horses or mules carry food, water, supplies, and equipment.
To view an itinerary, select a trek name below. We can customize or alter certain itineraries upon request. Some treks are combined with other tour itineraries.
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Featured Itinerary:
The Bale Mountains; 7 Days / 6 Nights (BM06a)
Tour Summary
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Arrival Bole International Airport
Awaze Tours meets all guests arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day.
Awaze Tours meets all guests arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day.
Tour Itinerary BM06a
Statue of King Menelik II in Addis Ababa
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Day 01 Addis Ababa - Bale Mountains National Park
Morning departure driving from Addis to the Bale Mountains National Park. Arrive at the park headquarters in the afternoon. Meet with guides and drive to the Gaysey Grasslands. Take 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 Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
A traditional papyrus boat or "tankwa" on Lake Tana.
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Day 02 Bale Mountains National Park
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. Overnight Camping Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
The Blue Nile Falls or "Tis Abey"
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Day 03 Bale Mountains National Park
Trek through the Web Valley. 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. Overnight Camping Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
The Royal Enclosure in Gondar, a UNESCO World Heritage site
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Day 04 Bale Mountains National Park
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. Overnight Camping Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
A pair of the endemic Geladas in the Simien Mountains
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Day 05 Bale Mountains National Park
Start the day by traversing a pass near Mt. Wassema (4,200 masl). Continue into the beautiful Worgona Valley. Falcons, raptors, and possibly the Ethiopian Wolf will be visible. Overnight Camping Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
The Church of St. George in Lalibela
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Day 06 Bale Mountains National Park
Continue trekking towards, the Senetti Plateau. This will be the third distinct and unique habitat that you traverse, the first two being the Gaysay Grasslands and the Juniper Woodlands. Dotting the landscape here are many Giant Lobelia, a flowering plant which can grow up to three meters in height. Overnight Camping Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
An orthodox priest in Lalibela
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Day 07 Bale Mountains National Park
Take a short trek from Gebre Gurracha up to the Sennati Plateau (6km) to meet vehicles. Explore the Senatti Plateau by car. This is the best place in Ethiopia to view the Ethiopian Wolf. Return to Addis Ababa. Enjoy a Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups. Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) |
End of Tour
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)
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Inclusions
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Exclusions
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Departure Dates: BMO6aPlease contact us regarding current prices for our treks. If you book a trek we will not cancel the trek or increase the price.
*If these dates do not fit your schedule, check with us about additional departures.
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