Bale Mountains National Park
What to see ?
This is a magnificent high-altitude plateau with numerous dramatic volcanic plugs, seasonal tiny alpine lakes and cascading mountain streams. Established 1970 G.C. and tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site in September 18 2023, and Located 400km from the capital city of Addis Ababa at the south-eastern parts of Ethiopia, it is stretched an area of 2150km square with in altitude of 1500m to 4,377m asl.
The BMNP’s wide expanse of Afroalpine habitat is the largest on the continent, and
its moist tropical forest is the second largest in Ethiopia. It harbours more endemic mammals than any other similar sized area on this planet, and the largest populations of two of Ethiopia’s flagship species – the Ethiopian wolf, and the mountain nyala. However, it is not only for its unique biodiversity, alpine and forest ecosystems and cultural history that the Bale Mountains are important. The water that flows from these mountains supports the livelihoods and is the lifeblood of 38-40 million people and provides hydroelectric power to the region.
The Bale Mountains National Park offers opportunities for unsurpassed mountain
walking, horse trekking, and scenic driving. It also presents the chance to view many of the endemic mammals that reside within the park, specifically the mountain nyala and Ethiopian wolf, as well as birds such as the wattled crane and bearded vulture.However, perhaps the primary attraction of the Bale Mountains is the simple escape it offers from city life; into peace, serenity and beauty.
Parts of the park
- Northern grasslands (Gaysay Grasslands)
The Northern grasslands, spanning the Web and Danka Rivers, are situated to the south of the Bodeti Mountain and north of Adelay ridge, and northwest of Dinsho. The altitude of the area ranges from 3,000m to 3,500m, pushing the upper limit for tree growth. The land is flat, dominated by swamp grasses and sedges, especially of the Cyperus and Scirpus genera and becomes muddy during the rainy season. Higher areas are scrubby with African or wild wormwood (Artemesia afra) and Cape gold (Helichrysum splendidum), one of more than ten species of everlasting flower found in Bale. Both are important sources of food for the mountain nyala and sources of shelter for other animals. Hagenia abyssinica trees flower from November through February; female trees boast an impressive red bloom. Wild fennel also grows here.
The Northern grasslands are the best place for viewing the endemic mountain nyala* – sometimes up to 50 in a herd. Also ever present, bohor reedbuck, play an important role in the ecosystem as they are the only grazers in this area of the park. Other mammals that are commonly seen are warthog, grey duiker, serval, and golden (common) jackal, along with the spotted hyena at night.
Birds that can be seen include the Abyssinian longclaw*, winding cisticola, marsh harrier, Abyssinian ground hornbill, spot-breasted plover*, Rouget’s rail**, wattled ibis**, Abyssinian catbird* and many more.
- Juniper Woodlands (Park Headquarters)
The juniper woodlands cover the northern slopes of the Bale massif, reaching from Dodola to Dinsho. These woodlands are under intense pressure from grazing, inhibiting the growth of new trees. Hagenia abyssinica and African juniper (Juniperus procera) dominate the woodlands. At the upper limit of their distribution, the juniper trees are smaller than in other parts of the park. In contrast, the Hagenia trees can grow to be massive, flowering from November to February. St John’s wort (Hypericum revolutum) is also common in the woodlands, growing as shrubs near the lower edge and reaching a height of 5m in the upper tree line. They are easily recognizable by their bright yellow flowers, which bloom throughout the year and are the major source of nectar for the honey produced in the area. Also present is the only indigenous rose to Africa (Rosa abyssinica), which has fragrant, white flowers.
Mountain nyala*, warthog, Menelik’s bushbuck*, colobus monkey and olive baboon can be spotted in the area. Birds to look for include the wattled ibis**, Abyssinian catbird*, white-backed black tit*, Abyssinian ground thrush, gold-mantled woodpecker**, red- breasted wryneck, thick-billed raven** and many more.
- Afroalpine Meadows (Sanetti Plateau & Upper Web Valley)Due to the altitude, plant diversity here is low. However, one of the notable plant species is the giant lobelia found from 3,100m to 4,377m growing to a maximum height of 6m. On the plateau stands Tulu Dimtu at 4,377m. This is the second tallest mountain in Ethiopia, and the tallest in Bale.Found at staggeringly high densities in Afroalpine meadows (average of 2,500kg per km2) Afroalpine rodents (mice, rats, and molerats) dominate the cold and seemingly barren plateau. Look specifically for the giant molerat* (endemic to the Bale Mountains), rock hyrax and Starck’s hare*. The plateau is also home to Ethiopian wolves* and a trip to the plateau all but guarantees a sighting of this charismatic carnivore. The plateau hosts a large number of raptors that feed on the sizeable rodent population. Look for augur buzzards; Verreaux’s, tawny and steppe eagles; lanner falcons; kestrels; and the lammergeyer or bearded vulture. This is also the most southern resident and breeding area in the world for golden eagles. The lakes, rivers and swamps attract many Palearctic waders. Look for the endemic blue-winged goose* (the rarest and most isolated goose in the world); spot-breasted plover*; and ruddy shellduck (like the golden eagle, the ruddy shellduck population is unique and isolated). Additionally, the population of red- billed chough is the most southern population in Africa. Several pairs of wattled crane are also present on the plateau – the northernmost population in Africa.
- Erica Belt: Moorlands and ForestLocated immediately above the tree line, from 3,400m to 3,800m, is a belt of heather made up of species of the Erica and Phillippa genera, dominated specifically by Erica arborea (tree heath), a shrub common throughout the world that grows to staggering proportions in Bale – up to 5m on the edge of the tree line. These forests are a fairytale wood of giant heather dressed in moss and old man’s beard (a lichen). These trees are highly endangered and quite rare in Ethiopia. The most accessible example of this type of forest is on the road that crosses the Sanetti plateau, 100m above Rira.Mountain nyala*, Menelik’s bushbuck*, and grey duiker live in the area in relatively large numbers, but are hard to spot due to vegetation densities. Klipspringers and hyraxes are also common. The Bale Mountains are the only area where both male and female klipspringers have horns.
- Look for moorland and chestnut-naped francolins, Alpine chat and Rouget’s rail**.
