Dodola and Adaba are the gateways to the Bale Mountains, one of Ethiopia’s main attractions in the southeast of the country. Since 1998 these trekking destinations have become two of the country’s most popular destinations, allowing visitors to experience the “other” Ethiopia: off the historic northern route
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and the southern tribes and people. The lush mountain forests, pristine streams, accommodating guides, welcoming hosts and authentic customs of the Bale Mountains create a unique and unmissable side to Ethiopia. What you find is a living example of sustainable tourism, run by local communities and local people. The Place
The area is part of the two administrative districts of Adaba and Dodola in the West Arsi Zone (part of former Bale Zone) of the Regional State of Oromia. The combined population of both districts is about 200,000. The district capitals of Adaba and Dodola have 15,000 and 20,000 inhabitants respectively. The ethnicity of the population is Oromo and predominantly Muslim. Farming has attracted most of the rural population to the level cropping areas facing the forested mountain ranges. Cropping has replaced the former livelihood system of pastoral livestock herding. Farmers grow wheat, barley, maize, linseed and faba beans, as well as the cereal teff, which is used to prepare injera, the staple food in many areas. In the forest itself, there are about 4,000 scattered homesteads. For them, cattle, sheep and goats continue to provide the major basis of subsistence. Horses are the major means of transport. Donkeys are widely used in the plains, but the chilly and moist highlands are only suitable for horses. Honey production is an important sideline activity in the forests. More and more fields are being opened up in the forest. This is partly due to the ever-increasing population density. A stronger motive is the intention to claim ownership of land in the forest, which is considered to be ownerless although it is a District Forest Priority Area belonging to the Districts of Adaba and Dodola. Trekking
Dodola Destination
The 4 forest camps are at an altitude between 3,080 and 3,460 metres above sea level. Each camp can be reached from Dodola in half a day. Thus, your trip can start in the afternoon but no later than 2 p.m. Setting off early in the morning is preferable, especially during the rains. The distance between camps is 5 to 18km. It takes between a few hours and half a day of walking or riding to travel from one camp to the other. This allows you to spend every night in a different camp. If you do not have time for all 4 camps, the guide will help select the ones most suited to your personal preferences. Also, tours of just one night with two half days for ascending and descending are possible. There is also one tented camp (Cangity) situated at the edge of the forest with very beautiful scenery. The camp is only half and hour’s drive from Dodola and then only 20 minutes by foot or horse. A group of more than 16 people and up to 5 families can be accommodated at the camp. Your trip to this site can start any time before 5 p.m. from Dodola town. Last but not least, short, half-day, trips from Dodola town to nearby attractions like the Lensho River or the Shebelle Water Falls are highly recommended. Adaba destination
The Adaba destination is situated 55km from the Bale Mountain National Park (BMNP) head office, Dinsho. There are 3 tented campsites and one hut at an altitude between 3,000 and 3,600 metres above sea level. Each camp can be reached from Adaba in half a day, but it is better to start in the morning. The distance to the nearest camp from Adaba town is 7km and from each camp to the next is from 11 to 20km. There are different routes depending on the preference of the visitors. As you travel through the forest you will come to two exciting waterfalls (Kille hada berite and Meribo falls) where there is a high likelihood of spotting wild animals, particularly Ethiopian Wolves (Canis simensis). One can start trekking from one side (Adaba or Dodola) and can continue to the next destination. To make an entire trip to the mountains (Adaba and Dodola), prior arrangements from the starting point are required, as the guides must change for each destination. Efforts are underway to link this destination to the BMNP. Booking
Prior booking to respective guides office via e-mail is important. Visitors can also come without booking but they may not get adequate service because of unavailability of guides or the huts might be overbooked. Dodola Tour Guides Association Office,
P.O.Box 80,
Dodola, Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +251-22-6660700
