The most important watershed in southern Ethiopia, Bale supports a biodiverse mosaic of evergreen forest, grassy meadow, juniper woodland and Afroalpine moorland. Bale receives far fewer visitors than the Simien Mountains, largely because it is so remote from Ethiopia’s northern tourist circuit, but it is equally alluring to hikers and wildlife enthusiasts. It is the main stronghold for the endemic Ethiopian wolf and mountain nyala, while its wealth of endemic and localized birds has led the African Birding Club to list it among the continent’s top five birding hotspots.

Discover Bale Mountains National Park

The Sanetti Plateau stands almost entirely above the 13,000ft contour and supports the world’s most extensive expanse of Afroalpine moorland. It is the best place to look for the Ethiopian wolf, which is often seen trotting along looking for the giant mole-rats upon which it preys. A series of chilly tarns attracts water-associated endemic birds such as Rouget’s rail, blue-winged goose and spot-breasted plover.

The aromatic juniper-hagenia forest around Dinsho can be explored on an undemanding trail from where you are bound to see mountain nyala, along with avian endemics such as white-cheeked turaco, yellow-fronted parrot and Abyssinian catbird.

Accessible by road, Mount Tullo Deemtu, the highest point in southern Ethiopia at 14,360ft, offers panoramic views over the moorland od Sanetti.

A magnificent series of switchbacks runs down an escarpment at the southern end of the Sanetti Plateau to the lush Harenna Forest. This is only known refuge of the endemic bamboo-eating Bale monkey, and one of the last strongholds of the black-maned Abyssinian lion.

Trekking and horseback routes range from two to eleven days in duration. A popular option is a five-to-seven-day round traverse from Dinsho to the Sanetti Plateau via the Web Valley.