07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS BALE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK,HARAR AND RIFT VALLEY

After breakfast, we have an early departure from Addis Ababa, travelling through the southeast part of the capital towards the Bale Mountains via Nazreth, cross the town of Asella views of the 4,000m Arsi Mountains which has a connection with bale Mountain. Pass through Bekoji which is the birth place of many of th famous long distance runner of Ethiopia. In late afternoon we will have to make a trek during which you can meet some of the endemic animals such as mountain nyala, Menelik antelope, warthogs, and a wide variety of birds at the head quarter in Dinsho. This is the ideal place for real wild life safari. Drive to Goba Overnight at the hotel “Goba”
Overnight Goba Washibele (Please Note: Our accommodation here is very basic, 2* in European Standards, there is new lodge recently opened but it is too costly about USD 220/person/night. Please advice if you need this lodge arrangement)
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Full days we will depart early and ascend the Bale massif onto the Sanetti Plateau, which is between 3,800m and 4,377m above sea level. Once we reach this unique plateau, we will be driving on Africa’s highest road, passing close to the summit of Ethiopia’s second highest mountain. This is an area of high altitude plateau that is broken by numerous spectacular volcanic plugs and peaks, beautiful alpine lakes and rushing mountain streams that descend into deep rocky gorges on their way to the lowlands below. As we ascend into the mountains we will experience changes in the vegetation with the altitude, from juniper forests to heather moorlands and alpine meadows.
Our main tour target here will be the plateau’s most celebrated resident, the Ethiopian or Simien Wolf, crowned with the remarkable title of “the world’s rarest canid.” Watching these vibrantly colored animals, most closely related to the European Timber Wolf, exhibiting their hunting prowess whilst pouncing on Giant Mole Rats (another endemic to the Sanetti Plateau), is surely amongst Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences. We should enjoy excellent photographic opportunities in this unique mountain wonderland.
Bale Mountains contains three distinct eco-regions: the northern plains, bush and woods; the central Sanetti Plateau, with an average elevation of over 4000 meters; and the southern Harenna Forest, known for its mammals, amphibians and birds including many endemic species. The central Sanetti Plateau is home to the largest population of Ethiopian Wolf. Incredibly, the grasslands here are estimated to support an amazing biomass of 4,000kg of rodents per hectare! Of special interest is the Giant Mole Rat, a large species that feeds above ground in the daylight and makes hefty craterlike depressions. It only partly emerges from these holes as it feeds the edges. Later it blocks the entrance with soil and vegetation, and then digs to a new crater nearby to commence feeding once again. These large numbers of rodents in turn support not only the healthy Ethiopian Wolf population in the high plateau area, but also numerous spectacular birds of prey. Back to Goba overnight Hotel

Today we will visit the caves of Sof Omar. Sof Omar,a tiny Muslim village in Bale, is the site of an amazing complex of natural caves, cut by the Weyb River as it found its way into the nearby mountains. The settlement, which is a religious site, is named after a local Sheikh. The caves of Sof-Omar are located about 115km from the Bale Mountains National Park headquarters and 95km from the zone’s capital of Robe. It is one of the longest underground caves in Africa, with a total length of over 1.5km. The meandering Web River lies in an entrenched gorge, 150m below a level basalt plateau. The river gorge is spectacular for its depth and for the limestone cliffs that line it. The caves were carved out of the limestone by the Web River, which has changed course over time, creating an accessible passage and carving out ornate and immense pillars, domes and chambers. Fossilized mollusks can be found within the large limestone blocks. There one can see an extraordinary number of arched portals, high, eroded ceilings and deep, echoing chambers. This site is also the best birding area for bird watchers. Back to Goba overnight Goba hotel.

Today drive to Langano via shashement. On the way we will drive to Gasay Valley where we will attempt to photograph the localized Mountain Nyala, a large antelope species rather like a heavier built version of the Greater Kudu. This antelope is endemic to the Ethiopian highlands and the majority of the population is concentrated around the Dinsho, Gasay area in Bale National Park. There are probably not more than several thousand of these magnificent animals remaining on the planet. Further drive to Langano. On the way visit the Oromo people’s way of life, their village and the beautiful scenery of the area. Overnight Sabana Lodge.
http://www.sabanalangano.com

Today you visit the Abjata- Shalla National park with the aquatic birding life and some wild life animals. Then drive to Nazreth via the Great Rift Valley over viewing the rift valley Pass through Zeway, Koka,

Drive to Harar on the way visit the Oromo, Afar tribes with their camel. Enjoy the scenery after Asebe Teferi. The evening after dinner may be devoted to visiting the Hyena Man (a man who feeds hyenas). Overnight Wonderland hotel.

Harar is located at an altitude of 1800 meters. Harar is labyrinth of small streets surrounded by old walls. Its architecture reflects a strong Islamic influence. We walk past the old town and visit a house where Rimbaud has been living. Harrar has been the chosen town of the poet who settled here in order to proceed to his weapons trade destined to Emperor Menelik II. He was here in the 16th Century. Some of the Mosques in Harrar have been established since the 13th Century. Until relatively recently, Harrar has been venerated by Muslims as the centre of pilgrimage, the town being the holiest of the Horn of Africa with a great number of Mosques and Quran schools. A visit in this town includes some of these Mosques as well as few old traditional houses. Late afternoon drive to one of the beautiful town of Diredawa. Overnight Samrat hotel.

Morning drive back to Addis through the great rift valley. Pass Awash, Nazreth and arrive in Addis. Then attend farewell dinner in the famous Ethiopian traditional restaurant at Habesha 2000 with live music and delicious meal, you will be transfer to Bole International airport for the night flight that depart at after mid night and it will be the end of the tour.