
Wolves, lobelias and the wild southern moorlands
A wild six-day trek across Africa's largest Afro-alpine moorland in search of the endangered Ethiopian wolf, giant lobelias and complete solitude.
Southern & Eastern Ethiopia
Africa's largest Afro-alpine plateau — an otherworldly world of giant lobelias, cloud forests and the endangered Ethiopian wolf.
The Bale Mountains National Park protects Africa's largest Afro-alpine moorland, rising to the great Sanetti Plateau at over 4,000 metres.
It is the last stronghold of the endangered Ethiopian wolf, and home to the endemic mountain nyala — plus vast stands of dramatic giant lobelias that give the plateau a dreamlike, prehistoric air.
A far wilder, emptier alternative to the northern highlands, Bale rewards trekkers with solitude, rare wildlife and boundless moorland trails.

Africa's largest Afro-alpine moorland, home to the Ethiopian wolf.

Dramatic, towering lobelias that dot the high plateau.

Humid cloud forest on the southern slopes, rich in birds and monkeys.
Most travellers arrive through Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport, then fly or drive north. We arrange every flight, transfer and road leg as part of your itinerary.
Read the transport guideDomestic flights link the capital with Gondar, Lalibela, Axum and Bahir Dar across the northern circuit.
We arrange airport and hotel transfers as part of every itinerary.
The northern circuit can be driven between sites by private 4x4, which we arrange for you.
Search the Sanetti Plateau for the endangered Ethiopian wolf, found almost nowhere else.
Hike through giant lobelia forest on Africa's largest Afro-alpine moorland.
Spot mountain nyala and a full suite of highland endemics.
Trek a wild, uncrowded national park at 3,000–4,300 metres.

Wolves, lobelias and the wild southern moorlands
A wild six-day trek across Africa's largest Afro-alpine moorland in search of the endangered Ethiopian wolf, giant lobelias and complete solitude.

Rift valley gems and the wild south
Rift lakes, flamingoes and dramatic mountains — a southern journey from the cities of the lakes to the wilds of the Bale Mountains.

Wolves, wild horses and the Sanetti Plateau
A compact expedition to the roof of southern Ethiopia — the Sanetti Plateau at 4,000 metres, Ethiopian wolves and the giant moorland of the Bale massif.

Lakes, wolves and the river peoples
The definitive south — Rift lakes, the Bale highlands, the Omo valley and Harar woven into a single ten-day grand tour.

Guided multi-day treks across Ethiopia's great highlands — from the Simien escarpment and Ras Dashen to the Bale Mountains — fully supported with local guides.
Learn moreEthiopia's remarkable endemic wildlife — giant troops of gelada baboons, the rare wallia ibex, the endangered Ethiopian wolf — plus the birds and big game of the lowlands.
Learn more
Ethiopia is a world birding destination — highland endemics and the majestic lammergeier in the Simien and Bale, and rift valley lakes alive with herons and flamingos.
Learn moreSightings on the Sanetti Plateau are common in the dry season, especially in the early mornings — but as with all wildlife nothing is guaranteed.
It's far less visited, with different wildlife (wolf and nyala instead of gelada and walia), and a distinctly wild, lone-atmosphere. Both are superb highland experiences worth combining on a longer trip.
Most travellers combine this destination with another — the northern circuit, the Danakil, the Omo Valley or beyond. See which places fit your route.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crown of the Ethiopian highlands — the 'Roof of Africa' — where sheer escarpments fall thousands of metres.

The 'Camelot of Africa' — an imperial city of castles, churches and a rich royal history in Ethiopia's northwest highlands.

Home to the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Lalibela — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's great pilgrimage destinations.
Send us an inquiry and we'll help you build the perfect itinerary — tours, timing and logistics included.