The Bale Mountain National Park is Ethiopia’s premier wildlife destination, offering over 60 mammals and 200 bird species, and offers the best chances of spotting much of Ethiopia’s endemic wildlife (Ethiopian wolf and the mountain nyala). The Sanetti Plateau is a typical Afro-Alpine environment, with Giant Lobelias and everlasting and is home to the Ethiopian Wolf. The tropical Harenna forest offers strong chances of spotting warthogs, colobus monkeys, giant forest hogs and if you are lucky, spotted hyena, leopards and lions. 

It is possible to arrange multi-day treks and horse treks, but the best way to see the wildlife is really to combine day camping day walks and a 4wd to get around the different habitats. Most people stay in the Dinsho Lodge at the park headquarters. An alpine style chalet with dorm rooms and doubles, the place is bursting with history and faded character, but it is nowadays very basic. Camping is recommended as it allows you to stay in the different locations within the park, rather having to get back to base each day.

The Bale Mountains are situated South East of Addis, although the distance isn’t massive the road from Shashamene to the Bale Mountains is rough, and it usually makes sense to break the journey at a lodge at Lake Langano.