Bale Mountains National Park
Why go?
Bale Mountains National Park is home to 14 of Ethiopia’s 30 endemic species.
Where is it?
Bale Mountains National Park is 400 km south of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The gate is near the town of Dinsho.
The Birds
Some of the best species to look for include the Abyssinian Longclaw, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Abyssinian Catbird, Thick-billed Raven, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Chestnut-naped Frankolin, White-backed Black Tit, Moorland Frankolin, Tacazze Sunbird, and Black-headed Siskin.
Look in the highlands for Spot-breasted Lapwing, Rouget’s Rail
Habitat
The park consists of forests in the north and moorland in the south. The moorland is treeless with countless ponds.
The Sanetti Plateau is at an elevation of 3,800 metres and, in some places, up to 4,200 m.
When to go
The wet season from June to September is the time to look for Wattled Cranes, Blue-winged Goose, Palearctic Ruddy Shelduck and Red-billed Chough. The only other Red-billed Choughs are found in Morocco and Algeria.
Winter is the time to look for Eagles, including Golden, Eastern Imperial Seppe and Greater Spotted Eagles.
Mammals
Although this is a birding website, I know many birders also enjoy seeing mammals. The Ethiopian highlands have some unusual species, including the Giant Mole-rat, Giant Climbing Mouse, Ethiopian Narrow-headed Rat, and the magnificent Ethiopian Wolf. With patients, it is easy to see these strange mammals as they are diurnal.
If you see a huge Thick-billed Raven flying off with a Giant Mole-rat, you will know you are in Ethiopia.
Photo Credits
Thick-billed Raven – Alfotokunst
Spot-breasted Lapwing – David Havel
Wattled Crane- Marek Jelinek
Giant Molerat – Kvedaralle
Abyssinian Wolf – David Havel
(M) Write a review
You must be logged in to submit a review.