Bale Mountains

An alluring destination for walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and birders - The Bale Mountains offers largest area of Afro-alpine terrain in Ethiopia.

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Overview

The Bale Mountains in southern Ethiopia is an alluring destination for walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and birders alike. In a country with so much history and culture, the Bale Mountains allow you time to enjoy Ethiopia’s natural beauty, wildlife and diversity. Here there’s not a church in sight!

Sanetti Plateau

This diversity is truly staggering. The high Sanetti plateau ranges from 3,600m to well over 4,000m and is home to the highly endangered Ethiopian wolf, giant mole-rats, as well as 18 endemic bird species. It is a heather-covered wild and windswept moorland. Here daytime temperatures head downwards from chilly to absolutely freezing.

Harenna Forest

However when you head down off the plateau, via a series of dramatic switchbacks into the less well-known half of the park, your world changes. The Harenna forest lies some 2000 metres below. This magical cloud forest with moss covered trees and bamboo is home to completely different wildlife.

Why We Love It

Stunning walking opportunities both on the high moorland and in the Harenna forest.
Chance to see the rare Ethiopian wolf, Bale monkey and other endemic species.
Harenna specials include the rare bamboo-loving Bale monkey, packs of Columbus monkeys, bushbuck, warthog, leopard and even occasionally, lion.
One of very few examples of Afro-alpine terrain in Africa.
The Harenna forest offers some of the best birding in Africa with 280 species recorded here including many endemic species.
Authentic and un-touristy coffee ceremonies in local village.
Visiting the colourful local markets nearby.

On The Map

When to visit Bale Mountains

Cold but clear

Bale Mountains have a unique climate in Ethiopia, dictated by its high altitude. It is always cold on the high plateau and so warm clothing is appreciated. Daytime temperatures hover around 5C with strong winds at times. Above 3000m night-time frosts are common. Even in the Harissa cloud forest, the night-time temperatures are noticeably cold, though the daytime temperatures are several degrees warmer because of the much lower altitude.

AVG RAINFALL 55 mm

AVG DAYLIGHT 9 hours

MAX TEMP 17 °C / 63 °F

MIN TEMP 2°C / 36 °F

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Start of the rainy season

This is the start of the rainy season in the Bale Mountains and it rains most days during this time, mostly in the afternoons. However May to early July are still good times to visit as most of the day is warm and sunny. June is the best time for spring flowers with red-hot pokers covering the moorland injecting some flame red colour into the landscape.

AVG RAINFALL 129 mm

AVG DAYLIGHT 7 hours

MAX TEMP 14 °C / 57 °F

MIN TEMP 4 °C / 39 °F

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Rainy and cooler

This is not the ideal time to visit. The rainy season continues with afternoon showers on most days during this time. The heaviest rain is in July and August so often the mountains are cloaked in mist. So this brings down daytime temperatures even more.

AVG RAINFALL 171 mm

AVG DAYLIGHT 5.5 hours

MAX TEMP 14 °C / 57 °F

MIN TEMP 4 °C / 38 °F

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Best time to visit

The rain suddenly departs in October and this is the start of the dry season which is a great time to visit. The days and sunny and relatively warm and the night skies are filled with stars. This is certainly the best time for trekking.

AVG RAINFALL 121 mm

AVG DAYLIGHT 7 hours

MAX TEMP 14 °C / 57 °F

MIN TEMP 3 °C / 37 °F

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Recce to Ethiopia

Ethiopia does not disappoint. It's the mysterious, exotic destination of my imagination and really does feel as though you are stepping back to the 12th century at times

Ginny Russell

Co-founder & Director