Harar and Bale Mountains National Park

We will visit the medieval walled city of Harar which stands amid green mountains, on the east wall of the Great Rift Valley near the Somali border. Harar’s heritage is almost entirely Muslim and Oriental; with its 90 mosques and shrines. Harar is considered to be the fourth most sacred center of the Islamic world. Harar is a labyrinth of small streets surrounded by old city walls. Its architecture reflects a strong Islamic influence.

Located 400km southeast of Addis Ababa, Bale Mountains National Park contains a spectacularly diverse landscape. The high altitude, afro-montane Sanetti Plateau rises to over 4,000m and includes the highest peak in the southern Ethiopia highlands. This undulating plateau is marked by numerous glacial lakes and swamps and surrounded by higher volcanic ridges and peaks.

Day 1	Arrival in Addis Ababa
Day 2	Drive to Harar
Day 3	Visit Harar
Day 4	Drive to Langano
Day 5	Drive to Bale Mountains NP
Day 6	Visit Bale Mountains NP
Day 7	Visit Bale Mountains NP
Day 8	Drive Back to Addis Ababa

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

Welcome to the third highest capital in the world! Addis Ababa is the buzzling capital of Ethiopia and the African Union. We take you on a city tour that includes the National Museum with the bones of Lucy, your oldest known ancestor, the Ethnographic Museum that presents the rich cultural diversity of Ethiopia, and St. George’s Cathedral, built in 1896 to commemorate the Ethiopian victory over the Italian invaders in the Battle of Adwa.

Overnight: Sheraton Hotel. Lunch and dinner are included.

Day 2: Drive to Harar

A scenic drive takes you through the East African Rift Valley. On your way up the mountains towards Harar, you pass coffee and chat plantations. In the evening, you get to witness a live hyena feeding.

Overnight: Rewda Guest House. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Day 3: Visit Harar

Today you’ll explore the old walled town of Harar. Start at the Harari Museum for an introductory course in Harar history. Proceed with the house of the legendary French poet Rimbaud. Marvel at the sight of the 16th century Grand Mosque with its elegant twin towers and slender minaret. Enjoy the religious art works on display at the church of Medhane Alem. Bargain at the colorful Shoa Gate Market.

Overnight: Rewda Guest House. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Day 4: Drive to Langano

On the way to Dire Dawa, you stop in Lega Oda to see prehistoric paintings dating back to 700 BC. In Dire Dawa, you’ll visit the large Kefira Market. You fly from Dire Dawa back to Addis Ababa, from where a comfortable Land Cruiser will pick you up and take you down south to Langano. En route, you have time for a stop at Lake Ziway, a bird watchers’ paradise.

Overnight: Sabana Beach Resort. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Day 5: Drive to Bale Mountains NP

Numerous scenic photo stops spice up your drive to Bale Mountains National Park today. With every mile you get closer to the National Park, the scenery gets more spectacular. Magnificent forests cling to the sides of deep valleys, high peaks, rocky outcrops, pinnacles and ridges pierce horizons, and moorlands, grasslands and peaty pools sit in plains and hollows.

Overnight: Bale Mountain Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Day 6: Bale Mountains NP

Spend a full day exploring the park with your guide. The Bale Mountains are between 9,500 feet and 14,360 feet high and contain the largest tract of high moorland in Africa. Almost uninhabited, they are entirely unspoilt and were set aside as a National Park in order to protect the endemic Mountain Nyala. However, for many visitors the Ethiopian Wolf is the real star of the show and is regularly sighted here.

Overnight: Bale Mountain Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Day 7: Bale Mountains NP

Enjoy awe-inspiring views and the clean, fresh air on a high plateau. Discover this rich landscape on your feet and watch endemic mammals as well as mighty birds of prey.

Overnight: Bale Mountain Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Day 8: Drive Back to Addis Ababa

On your drive back to Addis Ababa, you stop at Lake Awassa, a beautiful freshwater lake set against a backdrop of hills covered in lush green. Bird watchers love the lake for its plethora of endemic aquatic birds. Stop by at the Fish Market on the lakeshore.

Before you continue your journey back to Addis, you get to enjoy the Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary with its open acacia woodlans.

In the evening, we invite you to a memorable farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant with music and dance.

Day use at the Sheraton Hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Download Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Sheraton Hotel, Addis Ababa
Days 2 - 3: Rewda Guest House, Harar
Day 4: Sabana Beach Resort, Langano
Days 5 - 7: Bale Mountain Lodge, Bale Mountains NP