Bale Mountains National Park

Above the Sanetti Plateau, Africa's largest high-altitude plateau, you can get close to Ethiopian wolves; down the slopes, the Harenna cloud forest and Dinsho grasslands each have their own character.

Bale Mountains National Park lies in the south-east of Oromia Region, Ethiopia, about 400 km from Addis Ababa. It covers about 2,200 square kilometers and is one of the largest high-altitude protected areas in East Africa. From north to south, the park can be divided into three sections. In the north, around the Dinsho headquarters, are juniper forests and the Gaysay grasslands, where the endemic mountain nyala is easy to see. In the centre, the Sanetti Plateau, at about 4,000 meters, is the largest high-altitude plateau in Africa. It is home to the largest population of Ethiopian wolves in the world, and Tullu Demtu, Ethiopia's second-highest peak, is also here. At the southern edge, the plateau drops steeply into the Harenna cloud forest, a paradise for black-and-white colobus monkeys, wild coffee and endemic birds.

The gateway towns are Robe and Goba. Robe has an airport with flights to the capital, while the overland journey takes 7–9 hours. The best season is November to February, the dry season, when the days are clear but nights often drop below freezing. June to September is the rainy season, with frequent fog.

Plan 3–4 days: one day at Dinsho, one day crossing the Sanetti Plateau to Harenna, and an optional extra day at the Sof Omar Caves east of Robe. Entry to the park requires purchasing a ticket at Dinsho and hiring a guide. Trekking and horse-riding routes can be arranged at the headquarters. Be aware of altitude sickness and keep warm.

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