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Nature journeys

Bale Mountains

Dawn on the Sanetti Plateau above 4,000 m, watching for the Ethiopian wolf, then the long descent into the Harenna forest.

  • Featured
  • 4 days, 3 nights
  • Bale Mountains
  • Moderate

From USD 1,045 per person

Overview

The journey in brief

Duration
4 days, 3 nights
Where
Southern · Bale Mountains
Travel style
Private tour
Best season
October to June; clearest November to March
Difficulty
Moderate
Price
USD 1,045 per person

Above 4,000 m on the Sanetti Plateau, giant lobelias stand over a cold moorland that is the best place in the world to look for the Ethiopian wolf. Sightings are common, never certain. From Dinsho, where mountain nyala graze by the park headquarters, the Goba–Dolo Mena road, billed as Africa’s highest all-weather road, crosses the plateau, then drops down the Harenna escarpment from 3,800 m to 2,800 m into forest.

Four days give walkers and birders a mountain trip outside the north. The walks are moderate, but the altitude is real, plateau mornings are often near freezing, and hotels in Goba are no-frills.

Highlights

  • Mountain nyala grazing beside the Dinsho park headquarters
  • Dawn on the Sanetti Plateau above 4,000 m, watching for Ethiopian wolves
  • The Goba–Dolo Mena road, billed as Africa’s highest all-weather road
  • The Harenna escarpment, falling from 3,800 m to 2,800 m into forest
  • A half-day walk across the moorland with a park scout
  • Option: the Sof Omar caves, where a river runs 15 km through limestone

What is included

  • Round-trip flights Addis Ababa–Robe at the Ethiopian Airlines discounted fare
  • Airport transfers in Addis Ababa
  • 3 nights’ accommodation, twin share
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary
  • 4x4 vehicle and driver
  • Park scout and park fees
  • Bottled water

What is not included

  • International flights
  • Ethiopian visa
  • Domestic fare difference if you do not fly Ethiopian Airlines internationally (about USD 150 per round trip)
  • Single room (optional extra)
  • Meals not listed
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Tips for guides, scouts and drivers
  • Travel insurance

Itinerary

Day by day

Day 1 Robe, Then Nyala at DinshoGoba

Your guide meets you at Bole International Airport for the flight to Robe, then it is about 40 minutes by road to Dinsho, the park headquarters. An easy walk there brings you among grazing mountain nyala. In the evening you settle in at Goba, 15 minutes from Robe, and go over the plan for the plateau.

Activities

  • Flight to Robe
  • Walk at Dinsho headquarters for mountain nyala
  • Evening briefing
Where you stay
Wabe Shebelle Hotel, Goba, or similar
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 Wolves at Dawn, Then Down to HarennaGoba

You climb onto the Sanetti Plateau early, when the wolves are most active and the air is near freezing. Stops along the road take in wildlife and Tullu Dimtu, at 4,377 m the plateau’s high point, before the escarpment drops into the Harenna forest. You return to Goba for the night.

Activities

  • Dawn drive onto the Sanetti Plateau
  • Looking for Ethiopian wolves
  • Descent into the Harenna forest
Where you stay
Wabe Shebelle Hotel, Goba, or similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 On Foot Across the Plateau, or Sof OmarGoba

A park scout leads you on a half-day walk across the open moorland at a steady pace. If you prefer caves to altitude, you drive 110 km from Robe to Sof Omar instead, where the Weyib River runs through limestone for about 15 km.

Activities

  • Half-day plateau walk with a park scout
  • Option: Sof Omar caves
Where you stay
Wabe Shebelle Hotel, Goba, or similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Down From the Mountains to AddisRobe

After breakfast you transfer to Robe for the flight to Addis Ababa. We meet you on arrival and take you to your hotel or international flight.

Activities

  • Transfer to Robe airport
  • Flight to Addis Ababa
Meals
Breakfast

Itineraries can change with weather, road and flight conditions. We will tell you promptly if they do.

Good to know

Before you book

Guide languages
English, Amharic
Minimum age
10 years and over
Group size
1 to 12 travellers
Meeting point
Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa. Your guide meets you in arrivals with a name sign.
Accessibility
Walks cross uneven moorland above 4,000 m. Not suitable for wheelchairs; travellers with heart or lung conditions should check with their doctor first.

What to bring

  • Warm layers
  • Hat and gloves
  • Rain jacket
  • Sturdy walking shoes
  • Binoculars

Dress code: Practical outdoor layers: plateau mornings are cold and afternoons can be warm.

Cancellation policy

This tour follows the Strict policy. Days are whole calendar days before departure.

Cancellation policy
When you cancelWhat you get back
30 or more days before departure50% refund
Fewer than 30 days before departureNo refund

A non-refundable USD 150 per traveller (domestic flights) is deducted before these percentages are applied.

Read the full booking policy

Questions

About this tour

Will I see an Ethiopian wolf?
Sanetti is the best place to look, especially early in the day, but these are wild animals and we cannot guarantee a sighting.
Do I need trekking experience?
No. You need only be comfortable walking a few hours at a steady pace at altitude.
How cold does it get?
Plateau mornings are often near freezing, so bring warm layers, a hat and gloves.
Why can I not start on any day I like?
Robe has only a few flights a week, so we build your dates around them.
Is the route open?
Yes. We send a current briefing before you book, covering the park and the towns of Robe and Goba.

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Plan with us

Ready for Ethiopia?

Choose your dates above, or tell us what you have in mind and we will shape the trip around you.

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