Day notes
Depart from Addis Ababa by private charter flights (1 hour flight plus a 90 minute game drive transfer) or by road (7 hours).
The lodge is a superb location from which to explore the forest on a walking safari, the forest supports the endemic Ethiopian Cisticola, the Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, the Abyssinian Catbird, the Thick Billed Raven and other colourful varieties such as the Yellow Fronted Parrot and Black Winged Lovebird.
Charter Flight from Bole International Airport [ADD] to Robe Aiport [GOB]
Charter Flight
Bole International Airport [ADD]
Robe Aiport [GOB]
Transfer from Robe Aiport [GOB] to Bale Mountain Lodge
Transfer
Robe Aiport [GOB]
Bale Mountain Lodge
Check-in to Bale Mountain Lodge
Expert tips:
To the south of the Park lies a 1200m (3700ft) escarpment, below which is one of the largest and most extensive forests remaining in Ethiopia, the Harenna Forest. The slope of the southern escarpment falls rapidly from the tree line at 3200m to around 2000m within a distance of only 8 km, producing a rapid and spectacular change in landscape, habitat, and species composition. The Bale Mountain Lodge is located beside a clear mountain stream, within a natural forest clearing beneath the escarpment, and enjoys breath-taking views of the mountains and the surrounding forest. Here rare Bale Monkeys inhabit the trees and the birdlife is spectacular. Wild coffee is harvested to the south of the lodge and delicious Bale honey is obtained by the local people from hives placed high within the canopy. Here is also found 3% of the Africa’s remaining bamboo forest. Harenna is truly a magical place in which to relax or to explore.
Day notes
After a hearty breakfast we set out to the Sanetti plateau in search of the rare Ethiopian Wolf and high altitude birding specials. The Wolf has especially adapted to living on the high altitude plateau and its prey is the abundant rodent population, many of which are endemic themselves, including the Blick’s Grass Rat, Bale Shrew, White Footed Rat and the Giant Mole Rat.It is this population of rodents that also provide sustenance for the population of Plateau Raptors. The plateau hosts a small population of Golden Eagles and other rare varieties such as Lammergeiers and Long Eared Owls.
Expert tips:
In the centre of the park lies a high level Afro-alpine plateau, with heights ranging from 2800m in the north and 4377m to the south. This is the largest remaining alpine habitat in Africa and here the landscape is wild and open and one can often see snow or frost on the ground. The elevations between 3550m and 4000m are covered with rare Erica shrub whilst numerous Lobelia dot the flat moorland higher up on the plateau. To the centre rises the second highest peak in Ethiopia, Mount Tullu Dimtuu, with a vehicle track leading to the summit for those who would find the high altitude trekking a little oxygen deficient for their tastes. Much of the Sanetti plateau lies over 4000m and this is where visitors can often see the rare Ethiopian Wolf which hunts for its rodent prey across the Sanetti heights. Many rodents themselves are endemic: Giant Mole Rats pop out from burrows whilst Blix Grass Rats scuffing around finding food, whilst themselves attracting the attention of plateau raptors. Here can also be seen Golden Eagles, Lammergeiers and many other species of birds. Located a mere 30 minutes from the Bale Mountain Lodge, no trip to Bale would be complete without spending a day or two on the plateau.
Day notes
This morning, after another delightful breakfast, we set out again on foot and later by vehicle as we explore the forest and stream around the lodge for unique wildlife spotting opportunities.
Day notes
After a hearty breakfast we set out for another day to the Sanetti plateau in search of the rare Ethiopian Wolf and high altitude birding specials.
Day notes
After our morning breakfast we depart Bale Mountain Lodge for our trip back to Addis Ababa with some last minute game viewing en-route.
Check-out from Bale Mountain Lodge
Transfer from Bale Mountain Lodge to Robe Aiport [GOB]
Transfer
Bale Mountain Lodge
Robe Aiport [GOB]
Charter Flight from Robe Aiport [GOB] to Bole International Airport [ADD]
Charter Flight
Robe Aiport [GOB]
Bole International Airport [ADD]
