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Outstanding Simien Mountains Tours

Southern & Eastern Ethiopia

Bale Mountains

Africa's largest Afro-alpine plateau — an otherworldly world of giant lobelias, cloud forests and the endangered Ethiopian wolf.

Altitude 2,400m – 4,377m
About Bale Mountains

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.

Highlights & attractions

The high Afro-alpine moorland of the Bale Mountains

Sanetti Plateau

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

Giant lobelias rising from the moorland plateau

Giant lobelias

Dramatic, towering lobelias that dot the high plateau.

Cloud forest and highland valleys of the Bale Mountains

Harenna Forest

Humid cloud forest on the southern slopes, rich in birds and monkeys.

Not suitable for

  • Travellers affected by high altitude or cold, windy plateau nights.
  • Those who want luxury lodges and extensive road networks.
Getting there

Reaching Bale Mountains

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 guide

Fly via Addis Ababa

Domestic flights link the capital with Gondar, Lalibela, Axum and Bahir Dar across the northern circuit.

Gateway & transfers

We arrange airport and hotel transfers as part of every itinerary.

Private 4x4 circuit

The northern circuit can be driven between sites by private 4x4, which we arrange for you.

Why visit

Why travel to Bale Mountains

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.

Tours here

Tours in Bale Mountains

The high Afro-alpine moorland of the Bale Mountains with giant lobelias
Challenging
6 days / 5 nights
Bale Mountains National Park
Bale Mountains Trek — 6 Days

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.

From USD 1,200 per personView tour
The open highlands and rift valley scenery of southern Ethiopia
Easy
6 days / 5 nights
Arba Minch · Lake Chamo · Bale Mountains
Southern Rift Lakes & Bale — 6 Days

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.

From USD 1,200 per personView tour
Rolling moorland of the Bale highland plateau at altitude
Challenging
3 days / 2 nights
Bale Mountains National Park
Bale Mountains Highland Expedition — 3 Days

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.

From USD 600 per personView tour
Wide southern Ethiopian landscapes from the highlands to the river
Moderate
10 days / 9 nights
Rift lakes · Bale · Omo Valley · Harar
Southern Ethiopia Grand Journey — 10 Days

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.

From USD 2,000 per personView tour
Experiences

Experiences in Bale Mountains

A guided trekking group crossing the high Simien escarpment

Trekking

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 more
A troop of gelada baboons on a highland meadow in the Simien Mountains

Wildlife

Ethiopia'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
The layered highland valleys and cliff habitats of the Simien Mountains

Birding in the Highlands

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 more
Gallery

Bale Mountains in pictures

Questions

FAQs

Sightings 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.

Keep exploring

Combine Bale Mountains with…

Most travellers combine this destination with another — the northern circuit, the Danakil, the Omo Valley or beyond. See which places fit your route.

The vast escarpment and tableland of the Simien Mountains at golden hour
UNESCO World Heritage

Simien Mountains

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

Multi-day trekkingDay walks & viewpointsWildlife watching+2 more
Explore Simien Mountains
The stone castles of Gondar's Royal Enclosure at sunset

Gondar

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

Castle & palace toursChurch visitsMarket visits+1 more
Explore Gondar
The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela carved into the highland stone

Lalibela

Home to the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Lalibela — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's great pilgrimage destinations.

Rock church toursPilgrimage & festival visitsHighland walking+1 more
Explore Lalibela
Your journey starts here

Plan a trip to Bale Mountains

Send us an inquiry and we'll help you build the perfect itinerary — tours, timing and logistics included.