How do I get to the Bale Mountains?
In most cases, the best way to get the Bale Mountains is via domestic flight. Ethiopian Airlines run a comprehensive domestic flight network across the country, connecting the major tourist destinations. If you're coming in from the north, you will need to fly into Addis Ababa and catch a second flight to Robe, the nearest airport town to the Bale Mountains. From Robe, it is a 2-hour drive into the national park.
If you are coming from the south, it is usually better to drive.
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From Addis Ababa
The quickest way to get to the Bale Mountains from Addis Ababa is via a one-hour domestic flight from Addis to Robe airport. From here, it is a one-hour drive into the national park near Robe, so you don't have a long drive after the domestic flight before you can relax and enjoy the views!
If you are planning on camping in the mountains, you can first stop at Bale Mountains Lodge for a night, or head straight to Dinsho for the first night camping. It is a 40-minute drive from Robe airport to Dinsho.
It is also possible to reach the Bale Mountain from Addis via the Rift Valley. You will need to stop along the way and spend a night by the Rift Valley lakes. Driving through the Rift Valley is an experience in itself, so well worth it if you have more time to play with.
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From Gondar
From Gondar, you will need to take two domestic flights to reach the Bale Mountains. The first is a one-hour flight from Gondar to Addis Ababa. From Addis, you will take a second flight to Robe airport and drive into the park from here.
It is also possible to reach the Bale Mountains from Addis via the Rift Valley, with overnights at lakeside lodges en route.
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From Bahir Dar
The best way to get to the Bale Mountains from Bahir Dar is via a domestic flight to Addis Ababa (one hour), and a second flight to Robe airport. From here, it is a one-hour drive into the park.
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From Lalibela
The best way to get to the Bale Mountains from Lalibela is via a domestic flight to Addis Ababa (one hour), and a second flight to Robe airport. From here, it is a one-hour drive into the park.
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From Mekele
There is no direct flight form Mekele to Addis Ababa, so if you are coming from here you will first need to fly to Lalibela, and then on to Addis Ababa and down towards the Bale Mountains.
You are better off structuring your trip so that you don't have to travel from Mekele to the Bale Mountains, as there is a lot of travelling involved, and you would need to spend a night in either Lalibela or Addis Ababa anyway (it's not possible, and certainly would not be enjoyable, to take 3 domestic flights in one day).
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From Axum
If you're in the far northern town of Axum, the best way to reach the Bale Mountains is by domestic flight. There is usually a direct domestic flight from Axum to Addis Ababa (1.5 hours). From here, you will need to catch a second domestic flight into Robe airport, and then drive for about an hour into the Bale Mountains.
It is usually better to sequence your itinerary so that you don't have to make long cross-country connecting flights.
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From Harar
To get to the Bale Mountains from Harar, you will first need to drive for about 75 minutes to the nearby airport town of Dire Dawa. From here, you can catch a domestic flight to Addis Ababa, and connect with a second domestic flight to Robe airport. It is then a one-hour drive into the national park.
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From the Omo Valley
The best way to get to the Bale Mountains from the Omo Valley is to drive. From Arba Minch (the gateway town to the Omo Valley), it is a 4-hour drive to the Rift Valley town of Hawassa (just east of Bale Mountains National Park). From Hawassa to the entrance town of the park, Goba, it is a 4-hour drive. If you are staying at the Bale Mountain Lodge, it will take an extra 1.5 hours.
It is also possible to fly from Jinka or Arba Minch to Robe, but you have to go via Addis Ababa and will need an overnight in the capital before flying on to Robe.
You can also fly from Hawassa to Robe, but flights only run on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Discover the Bale Mountains
Brilliant says
While the most common route into the Bale Mountains is via commercial flight or road, it is possible to take charter flights into the mountains. If you are combining the Bale Mountains with other frontier destinations like Gambella National Park, then charter aircraft can be a great option - although it comes with a price tag.
The expanses of the Sanetti Plateau
Overcast skies above the mountains
Bale Mountain Lodge entrance
The green mountains blanketed in mist
Wilderness of the Bale Mountains
The path up towards Tulu Dimtu
Sun rising over Bale Mountain Lodge
Colobus Monkey in the Bale Mountains
Lion in the Bale Mountains
Day 4 of the bale trek
Found this stunning clearing on day 1 of the trek
Trekking through the Harenna Forest
Ethiopian Wolf Patrols the Sanetti Plateau
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