Addis Ababa to Hawassa

Great Rift Valley - Begin the journey with a morning drive of approximately 3 hours, departing from Addis Ababa and heading south through the lush Rift Valley to the lakeside town of Ziway.

Ziway - Here, enjoy a lunch break and take some time to explore the town and its lakeside, a wonderful spot for birdwatching and relaxing.

Awasa - After leaving Ziway, continue south further into the Rift Valley to reach Hawassa, another charming lakeside town, where accommodations for the night will be at a local hotel. Be sure to savor the fresh local fish and take a stroll along the shore to witness the sunset.

Hawassa to Dinsho

Bale Mountains National Park - This area is known for frequent sightings of Warthog, Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, and Bohor Reedbuck, along with many endemic bird species.

The Web Valley and Gaysay Grasslands

Bale Mountains National Park - After a hearty breakfast and some local coffee, set out from camp either on foot or by 4x4, based on preference. Follow a rugged dirt track through farmland along the park’s edge, then enter the park itself. The track runs parallel to the Web River, skirting a dramatic gorge where Rock Hyraxes are often spotted. Black eagles and giant eagle owls are occasionally seen here, with rare sightings of Leopards. At the gorge’s top, enter the Afroalpine habitat, offering stunning views across the Bale landscape. Keep an eye out for the rare Ethiopian wolf and hunting raptors. In the afternoon, explore the Gaysay Grasslands. Look for Warthog, Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, Grey Duiker, Bohor Reedbuck, and other mammals. In the woodlands, elusive creatures like the Serval, Spotted Hyena, and Golden (Common) Jackal can be found. Listen for the Abyssinian catbird. At day’s end, return to camp for well-deserved rest.

Sanetti Plateau and the Harenna Forest

Sanetti Plateau - Early morning, break camp and head to the Sanetti plateau. As the sun rises, the Ethiopian wolf, the world’s most endangered canid, begins its hunt. The Sanetti plateau is the prime location in Ethiopia to observe this graceful animal, and the winding road atop the plateau, one of Africa’s highest all-weather roads, is perfect for viewing. The plateau is also home to many rodents, the largest being the giant molerat, unique to the Bale Mountains. If rodents aren’t appealing, there are plenty of rare lichens to admire! Expect to see various birds of prey soaring above: golden, tawny, and Verreaux’s eagles, as well as the bearded vulture (lammergeyer), lanner falcon, and augur buzzard.

Harenna Forest and Manyete Coffee Village

Bale Mountains National Park - In the morning, take a short drive south from Rira to the National Park’s southern edge. With luck, a lion might be spotted on this road! Here, discover an area with massive fern pine and fig trees, now rare in Ethiopia. Beneath these trees grows wild forest coffee. A 6km nature trail through this wild coffee forest leads to a natural spring. In Manyete village, the Sankate Community Tourism Association operates a coffee house where wild coffee, local honey, and other products can be sampled. Returning towards Rira, there’s an opportunity to relax or take the Gushuralle Peak Forest Trail. This 2-3 hour route traverses dense bamboo forest to Gushuralle’s summit, offering breathtaking views across the Harenna Forest. Watch for wildlife such as Bale monkeys, Menelik’s bushbuck, warthog, colobus monkeys, mountain nyala, giant forest hogs, or (very rarely) leopards or lions. At day’s end, return to camp near Rira.

Rira to Wendo Genet

Sanetti Plateau - From Rira, journey back over the Harenna escarpment and across the Sinetti plateau once more, passing through Dinsho again as the Bale Mountains are left behind, heading westwards towards Wendo Genet.

Wendo Genet to Addis Ababa

Yod Abyssinia Cultural Restaurant | Karl Square | ዮድ አቢሲኒያ የባህል ምግብ ቤት | ካርል አደባባይ - Finally, return to Addis Ababa, concluding the tour with dinner at a cultural restaurant, where local dishes can be enjoyed while watching vibrant traditional dances from across the country.

• Private transportation
• All meals included - breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• Gratuities
• Alcoholic beverages

Look out for hippos and birdlife as you take a boat trip on Lake Hawassa. Explore the natural beauty and wildlife of the Web Valley and Gaysay grasslands. Keep an eye out for the endangered Ethiopian wolf as you cross the Sinetti Plateau. Summit Tulu Dimtu (4,377m) the highest mountain in the park and experience stunning views from the Harenna escarpment to the tropical forests below.

Sample wild coffee and local honey from the Sankate Community Tourism Association. Visit Emperor Haile Selassie’s former palace, and one of his favourite retreats and enjoy a soak in the invigorating natural hot springs at Wendo Genet, meaning ‘heavenly place’.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.