SteppesTravel
Menu
Popular Destinations
Our Destinations
Holiday Types
More Holiday Types
About
Our Content
Travelling Safely
When to Go
Best time to Go
All best time to visit guides
Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Home Destinations Africa Ethiopia Bale Mountains

Bale Mountains

This high altitude area is scattered with volcanic peaks, alpine lakes and rushing mountain streams that descend into deep rocky gorges on their way to the lowlands below. It offers the opportunity for walking, horse trekking, scenic driving and the chance to view many of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals.

B Corp
Contact us

Scenically, the highlight is the Sanetti Plateau, studded with enormous lobelias and cool tarns that provide the essential existing stronghold for the Ethiopian wolf, a russet endemic that’s regarded to be the world’s rarest carnivore.

It’s not only endemic wildlife that makes Bale so special – the area embraces sixteen of Ethiopia’s endemic birds including forest-dwelling endemics – the Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian catbird, Banded barbet and Abyssinian woodpecker. In the Sanetti moorlands, the keen ornithologists are able to spot Blue-winged Goose, Rouget’s rail and Spotbreasted lapwing.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.

Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
 

Unique Bale Ecosystem

Discover the largest area of Afro-alpine habitat in the whole of the African continent, found in the Bale Mountains.

Suggested lodge

Ethiopian Wolf, Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
 

Wildlife of the Bale Mountains

Explore the Bale Mountains, home of many of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals, in particular, the Ethiopian wolf and Bale Mountains vervet.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Lace Wing, Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
 

Bird Watching

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the forest and spot some excellent birdlife.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Sanetti Plateau in the crisp early morning, Bale Mountain Lodge, Ethiopia
 

Horse riding and hiking

Get out and explore this mountainous landscape on horse back or on foot.

Suggested Holiday Idea

View from Lodge, Bale Mountain Lodge, Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Bale Mountain Lodge, Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
Where to stay

Bale Mountain Lodge

Set in a forest clearing, this Eco-lodge features 15 thatched mahogany and stone rooms made from sustainable wood and furnishings. With wood-burning fires and private terraces, all rooms will enjoy wonderful views.

Views are taken advantage of here with a glass-walled restaurant and a glass-bottomed spa. Combine with the Simien Mountains in the north and the Rift Valley in the south.

View Lodge

Idea
Ethiopia
Ultimate Helicopter Journey across Ethiopia
Journey back in time, where the history of the people and the land merge and, at times, it is difficult to determine myth from reality. Explore with the flexibility that a helicopter brings, flying low over Ethiopia’s beautiful highlands, landing in the…
from £32,660pp
Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Highlands including Lalibela
With an intoxicating mixture of spectacular scenery and fascinating culture and heritage, Ethiopia offers unrivalled diversity. Rock-hewn churches, monasteries and castles decorate the landscape, which has been shaped by a long and rich history that this journey aims to uncover.
9 days from £3,910pp
Rock Church of St. George in Lalibela, Ethiopia
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Ethiopia
Ethiopia – Tribes of the Omo Valley
To travel through Ethiopia’s Omo Valley is to remind oneself that there are ways of life that still exist that are vastly different to our own. The Omo is renowned for the vibrancy and distinctiveness of its people. This trip opens up…
5 days from £4,200pp
Cattle Drive, Awash, Ehtiopia
View Holiday Idea

Need Holiday Inspiration?
Browse our Ethiopia holiday ideas.

Our Ethiopia experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea
Ethiopia
Ultimate Helicopter Journey across Ethiopia
Journey back in time, where the history of the people and the land merge and, at times, it is difficult to determine myth from reality. Explore with the flexibility that a helicopter brings, flying low over Ethiopia’s beautiful highlands, landing…
from £32,660pp
Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Highlands including Lalibela
With an intoxicating mixture of spectacular scenery and fascinating culture and heritage, Ethiopia offers unrivalled diversity. Rock-hewn churches, monasteries and castles decorate the landscape, which has been shaped by a long and rich history that this journey aims to uncover.
9 days from £3,910pp
Rock Church of St. George in Lalibela, Ethiopia
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Ethiopia
Ethiopia – Tribes of the Omo Valley
To travel through Ethiopia’s Omo Valley is to remind oneself that there are ways of life that still exist that are vastly different to our own. The Omo is renowned for the vibrancy and distinctiveness of its people. This trip…
5 days from £4,200pp
Cattle Drive, Awash, Ehtiopia
View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas

Need Holiday Inspiration?
Browse our Ethiopia holiday ideas.

Our Ethiopia experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea
Ethiopia
Ultimate Helicopter Journey across Ethiopia
Journey back in time, where the history of the people and the land merge and, at…
from £32,660pp
Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Highlands including Lalibela
With an intoxicating mixture of spectacular scenery and fascinating culture and heritage, Ethiopia offers unrivalled diversity.…
9 days from £3,910pp
Rock Church of St. George in Lalibela, Ethiopia
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Ethiopia
Ethiopia – Tribes of the Omo Valley
To travel through Ethiopia’s Omo Valley is to remind oneself that there are ways of life…
5 days from £4,200pp
Cattle Drive, Awash, Ehtiopia
View Holiday Idea

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Illona profile image, sat with plane in background
View Profile

Illona Cross

Before joining Steppes Travel over 25 years ago, I spent a decade working as a ranger, guide and lodge manager across Southern and East Africa. It’s also a deeply personal place for me: I got married in Africa, honeymooned in Africa and still return every year with my family – proof that my love for the continent runs far deeper than just professional experience.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Contact Us

Start planning your trip

01285 880 980

Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Name(Required)

Explore other regions

Axum

Situated in the far north of the historic circuit, this fascinating town is Ethiopia's most ancient capital and the holiest city of…

Big Bible, Axum, Tigrae, Ethiopia

Gondar

Gondar was once the imperial capital of Ethiopia situated north of Lake Tana.

Fasilides Castle, Gondar, Ethiopia

Lake Tana

Lake Tana plays host to some of the most spectacular monasteries in Ethiopia.

Pelican flying over Tana lake, Ethiopia

Lalibela

The small Ethiopian town of Lalibela is the eighth wonder of the world and is home to one of the world's most…

Laibeila Church, Ethiopia

Omo Valley

The Omo Valley is a remote south-western enclave of Ethiopia, home to some of Africa’s oldest and most fascinating tribes.

Close up of women's dresses from Hamer tribe, Omo Valley, Ethiopia

Simien Mountains

Situated within the world heritage site of the Simien Mountains National Park, the Simien Mountains are located in northern region of Ethiopia

Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes

01285 880 980