The Ethiopian Wolf
These enigmatic animals are found in the mountains and highlands of Ethiopia. The biggest populations live in the Simien Mountains National Park and Bale Mountains National Park, whose contoured landscapes comprise biodiverse forests on the lower slopes and grassy plains higher up.
The wolves are social animals and tend to live together in packs of 3 to 13 wolves. They tend to hunt alone, and their prey is primarily giant mole rats and common grass rats. The giant mole rats only spend 20 minutes per day outside their holes, so the wolves have to be very enterprising in order to catch one.
Occasionally, however, the wolves will hunt together to bring down larger animals such as antelope.
The wolves live in dens which often form part of an interconnected maze of burrows with several entrances. The wolves give birth to their pups here, and they serve as a place of safety thereafter for young pups. These pups are raised communally by the pack of wolves.
The Ethiopian Wolf is Africa’s most endangered carnivore, and the world's rarest canid, with fewer than 500 remaining in the wild. Their numbers have been diminished by a combination of disease, in particular rabies and canine distemper, and by the expansion of agriculture and the overgrazing of livestock, threatening their habitats.
Tourism, however, can play a role in reversing this. The more tourist revenue is dependent on their survival, the greater the incentive will be for local residents to ensure that their agricultural practices are sustainable.
The best way to spot the Ethiopian Wolf is to head out in the early morning when they tend to be most active.
We offer a number of tours that will take you to the Ethiopian Wolf, and you can stay at lodges or camp out in the mountains depending on your interests. One of our favourite experiences is a multi-day trekking adventure in the Bale Mountains, which involves camping overnight on the beautiful, high-altitude Sanetti Plateau and heading out in the early morning to track the wolves with the help of our expert guides.
The Ethiopian Wolf isn’t the only fascinating species to be found in the country’s highlands. Others include black-maned lions, mountain Nyala, Gelada monkeys and spotted hyenas.
The elusive Ethiopian Wolf can sometimes be spotted in the Simiens
See the Ethiopian Wolf on these trips
This 3 day Simien Trek is the perfect introduction to the national park. Enough time to hike to all the major viewpoints, see the wildlife, and enjoy the beauty of these highlands.…
- 3 Days
- $756
This 4 day trek in the Simien Mountains starts and ends in Gondar. Hike from camp to camp, across the sweeping plateaus and down into the valleys.…
- 4 Days
- $954
6 days trekking in the Simien Mountains, across the vast plateaus and down into the valleys to discover some of the most exciting regions of the park. A proper wilderness escape.…
- 6 Days
- $1,488
Hike across electric landscapes of thick forests, Afro-alpine moorland, peaks and plateaus, and jungle thickets. An extraordinary outdoor adventure, with high altitude hikes unlocking staggering viewpoints, beautiful clearings, and endemic wildlife. At night, the sky is ablaze with starlight in…
- 7 Days
- $7,596
Meander through the stunning Rift Valley Lakes, staying at boutique lakeside lodges as you make your way towards the Bale Mountains National Park.…
- 10 Days
- $3,082
Combining the best that Ethiopia has to offer south of Addis Ababa, this two-week odyssey takes you to the farthest corners of the Omo Valley, through the verdant forests of the Bale Mountains, and across the lakes of the Great…
- 13 Days
- $3,864
The Simien Mountains are one of Ethiopia’s most stunning destinations. With its diverse flora and fauna, immense views and extraordinary geography, it’s an exceptional place that can be enjoyed by hardy trekkers and afternoon strollers alike. A couple of nights…
- 5 Days
- $1,378
The classic 3-night camping circuit in the Simien Mountains. This trip is usually included as part of a wider itinerary in the country.…
- 4 Days
- $978
This trip packs in a myriad of history, culture and some of the best scenery in Africa. Explore the palaces of Gondar, the world-famous rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, and the sweeping plateaus of the Simien Mountains. Leave enough time either…
- 7 Days
- $1,821
Discover the beauty of the Simien Mountains with this one week trekking adventure. Our Brilliant local guides know all the hidden gems to get the most out of your time on the 'Roof of Africa'. Easy to incorporate into a…
- 7 Days
- $1,938
An introduction to the Simien Mountains, this 2 day trek takes you to some of the major viewpoints of the primary escarpment, with one night spent camping at the beautiful Gich campsite.…
- 2 Days
- $558
This 3 day Simien Trek is the perfect introduction to the national park. Enough time to hike to all the major viewpoints, see the wildlife, and enjoy the beauty of these highlands.…
- 3 Days
- $756
This 4 day trek in the Simien Mountains starts and ends in Gondar. Hike from camp to camp, across the sweeping plateaus and down into the valleys.…
- 4 Days
- $954
6 days trekking in the Simien Mountains, across the vast plateaus and down into the valleys to discover some of the most exciting regions of the park. A proper wilderness escape.…
- 6 Days
- $1,488
Hike across electric landscapes of thick forests, Afro-alpine moorland, peaks and plateaus, and jungle thickets. An extraordinary outdoor adventure, with high altitude hikes unlocking staggering viewpoints, beautiful clearings, and endemic wildlife. At night, the sky is ablaze with starlight in…
- 7 Days
- $7,596
Meander through the stunning Rift Valley Lakes, staying at boutique lakeside lodges as you make your way towards the Bale Mountains National Park.…
- 10 Days
- $3,082
Combining the best that Ethiopia has to offer south of Addis Ababa, this two-week odyssey takes you to the farthest corners of the Omo Valley, through the verdant forests of the Bale Mountains, and across the lakes of the Great…
- 13 Days
- $3,864
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