This wildlife tour takes you into the largest Afro-Alpine habitant in the whole of Africa. It is a high-altitude plateau fragmented by numerous remarkable volcanic plugs and peaks, beautiful alpine lakes, and mountain streams that run down into the deep rocky gorges on their way to the lowlands. It is haven for various endemic mammals including the endangered Ethiopian Red Wolf, the Mountain Nyala, Menelik's Bushbuck, and many endemic birds and other mammals. The highlight of this wildlife tour will be the endangered Ethiopian Red Wolf, a rare creature unique to the highlands of Ethiopia.
On this tour, we will also have the chance to see the gorgeous Mountain Nyala and delightful Bale Monkey. And we will have plenty of chances to spot many endemic birds, as we will be touring around one of the continent's top five birding hot spots.
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy endemic wildlife in the beautiful Bale Mountains.
- See the last surviving African wolf, the Ethiopian Red Wolf.
- Watch the Mountain Nyala and the Menelik Bushbuck, endemic to the Bale Mountains.
- Experience unmatched endemic bird watching and different mammals
- Visit the Great Rift Valley lakes.
- Take a city tour of Addis Ababa.
Itinerary
Day 1: Addis Ababa, Arrival
Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driven to Jupiter Hotel.
Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is situated at 2,500 meters (8000 ft.) above sea level. It is the 5th highest capital city in the world. The city enjoys an excellent climate year-round, with an average temperature of 25C (77F). With a multiethnic population of over 5 million, Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the "Mercato".
Overnight: Jupiter Hotel, Addis Ababa
Day 2: Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Great Valley Lakes, Langano
In the morning, we drive to the Great Ethiopian Rift Valley and Lake Langano. While driving from Addis Ababa to Langano, we will pass by different small towns and stop for a visit at one of the most beautiful Rift Valley lakes, Lake Ziway.
For the rest of the day, relax at the beautiful Sabana Lodge perched on the top of a hill overlooking the beautiful lake.
Accommodation: Sabana Lodge, Langano
Day 3: Langano, Bale Mountains National Park
In the morning, we drive to Dinsho in Bale Mountains National Park. This is one of the biggest Afro-Alpine habitats on the entire African continent. In the afternoon, we will take a game drive around Dinsho to see some of the endemic mammals in the park including the Bale Mountain Nyala (endemic to Bale Mountains National Park), Minilik Bushbuck, warthogs, and many more.
Overnight: Wabi Shebele Hotel, Goba
Day 4: Bale Mountains National Park
We will rise early in the morning to drive up on the Senettie Plateau on one of the highest roads on the continent, 4000 meters above sea level. This is also the biggest Afro-Alpine habitat in the whole of Africa and is crucial for the survival of Africa’s last wolf, the Abyssinian Wolf. This red wolf is one of the most endangered canid in the world.
The wolves depend on the abundant rodents available here including the endemic Giant Mole Rat. Crossing the plateau to the escarpment, we descend towards Harenna Forest, one of the best-conserved Alpine forests in the country. This dense, indigenous forest shelters the endemic Bale Mountains Monkey, Baboons, Giant Hog, Bush Pig, Leopard, Black Manned Lion, Caracal, and many forest birds.
Overnight: Bale Mountains Lodge, Harenna Forest
Day 5: Bale Mountains, Lake Awassa
In the morning, we drive southwest to the Ethiopian Great Rift Valley Lakes Region. In this region, you will find chains of beautiful Rift Valley lakes that are home to many birds and other wildlife.
After checking into the beautiful Haile Resort, owned and run by the great Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist athlete, we will then walk around Lake Awassa to see different aquatic birds. We can also take a boat trip for more bird watching and hippo spotting. The rest of the day, you can relax in the swimming pool or in the spa.
Overnight: Haile Resort, Awassa
Day 6: Awassa, Langano, Ziway, Addis Ababa
Early in the morning, we will visit the Awassa fish market, where local fishermen sell freshly caught fish for the locals. The interaction of the fishermen with the people, the birds, and the surrounding environment always fascinates.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive back to Addis Ababa enroute visiting two Rift Valley lakes: Lake Ziway, the biggest Rift Valley lake and Lake Langano. Both are very famous for their abundant bird life. After we finish our visit to the lakes, we return to Addis Ababa in the late afternoon on the new expressway, which starts at Mojo. End of tour.
