Ethiopia Bale Mountains are the other great trekking site and the largest area of Afro Alpine habitat in the whole of the African continent.
Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains gives the visitor opportunities for unsurpassed mountain walking, horse trekking, scenic driving.
It also gives the chance to view many of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals in particular the Mountain Nyala and Simien Fox and birds such as Abyssinian Wood Pecker,Thick – Billed Raven, Wattled Ibis, Blue Winged Goose, etc
Ethiopia Bale Mountains rise from the extensive surrounding farmlands at 2500m above sea level to the West, North and East. The national park area is divided into two major parts by the spectacular Harenna escarpment.
The dry season is usually from November to February. This is the best period to visit the park especially for walking and horse trekking in the high mountain area.
Very little rain is experienced and temperatures on the clear sunny days may rise to as high as nearly 30 degree Celsius. They may fall between minus 6 to minus 15 degree Celsius in the main peak area of the park.
Nights are star-filled, clear and cold usually with heavy ground frosts.
The mountains are most famous as home and refuge of the endemic Mountain Nyala and Simien Fox. Both of them occur in good numbers and visits to the Gaysay area and the Sannete plateau ensure you to see them.
Mountain Nyala is a large antelope in the spiral-horned antelope family. Males are a dark brown color with a pair of gently spiraled horns with white tips.
They bear handsome white markings on the face, neck and legs, together with usually at least one stripe and some white spots on each side. Mountain Nyala occurs only in Ethiopia and only in the high mountains east of the Great Rift Valley between Harer, Arsi and Bale.
The Simien fox is more common in the Bale Mountain than in Simien Mountains. It is found no where else in the world.
The animal is the size and color of European red fox, but with long legs, longer muzzle and a striking black and white tail.
The male and female are similar in appearance. Simien Fox feed on rodents and as a result are mainly found at the higher altitudes where rodents abound.
The Sannete plateau is especially a good area to see them but they do occur in higher parts of the mountains as well as down at Gaysay on rare occasions.
There are several other carnivores you are likely to see apart from the Simien Fox in the Ethiopia’s Bale mountains National Park. The Gaysay grasslands and Dinsho hills are good places to see the beautiful Serval Cat.
These small spotted, long legged and short tailed cats hunt alone in long grass depending on rats and small birds as food.
The Bale Mountains possess many habitats that are rich in birds, particularly the Harenna forest which has been little studied and visited.
More than one hundred and sixty species of birds are known from the park area but their number is certain to be added in the future.
You can enjoy the park’s beauty on the spectacular road from Goba to the eastern part. There you will find the Sannete plateau.
This highest all weather road in Africa crosses the 4000m contour and some of the loveliest mountain scenery in Africa that can be viewed from the comfort of your vehicle.
Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains National Park is mainly a walking area. Horse treks of several days can also be arranged at Dinsho or Sannete.
Walking on Gaysay hill is rewarding in terms of the views and the chances of seeing wildlife at a close distance is mostly sure.
The physically fit will find the steep climb to Boditti summit 3,520 mt worth while for the spectacular view of the Gaysay river flats and south in to the main park area.
Also a very enjoyable trek can be done from Dinsho up web valley to Gasuray peak 3,325m.
One of Bale Mountains spectacular spot is Tulu Deemtu, the second highest mountain in Ethiopia at 4,377mt and the highest in Bale Mountains. Starting from the main road at its base it takes one and a half to two hours to climb the slopes and reach the summit.
If you are wondering where to visit in Ethiopia especially if you are keen on trekking or nature lover, Bale Mountains will be a place to mull over.
