- Site Name
- Bale Mountains National Park
- UNESCO reference number
- 111
- Property Area
- 220,000 hectares
- Universal Value
- Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) Bale Mountains National Park exemplifies a spectacular landscape mosaic shaped by ancient lava flows, glaciation, and Rift Valley dissection, featuring volcanic peaks, escarpments, glacial lakes, forests, gorges, and waterfalls of exceptional natural beauty. Inscription Criteria Inscribed in 2023 (Ref 111) under Criterion (vii) for its superb scenery and Criterion (x) for hosting the world's largest contiguous afro-alpine habitat above 3,500m, with unique biodiversity including Ethiopian wolves, mountain nyala, and five major rivers sustaining millions downstream
- Geography & Setting
- Geography Bale Mountains National Park spans southeastern Ethiopia's Oromia Region, 400 km southeast of Addis Ababa, covering 2,200 km² with altitudes from 1,500m in Harenna Forest to 4,377m at Tullu Dimtu peak. Setting It features dramatic zones: northern montane forests and grasslands, the vast Sanetti Plateau's afro-alpine moorlands with glacial lakes, steep escarpments, and southern cloud-shrouded Harenna rainforest amid volcanic ridges. This rocky semi-arid expanse under dramatic skies highlights the park's highland plateau.
- History & Story
- Early Conservation Indigenous efforts like tree planting date to Emperor Zera Yaqob (1434-1468), with Menagasha Forest as Africa's oldest conservation area; Emperor Menelik II regulated hunting in 1901. Modern Establishment UNESCO's 1963 mission recommended parks; established in 1970 as Ethiopia's third national park to protect wildlife, initially under EWCO, then integrated into state forestry in 1974. Recent Milestones Nominated to UNESCO tentative list in 2009, fully inscribed in 2023 (Ref 111); Frankfurt Zoological Society supports management since 2008
- Legal protection & management
- Legal Protection Designated by Council of Ministers Regulation No. 338/2014 under Wildlife Development, Conservation and Utilization Proclamation No. 541/2007; managed as a strict national park prohibiting settlement and unregulated use, with UNESCO oversight since 2023 (Ref 111). Management Framework Oromia Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Authority (OWBCA) oversees operations, with General Management Plan (2007-2017, updated 2023) using zonation: core protection zones, sustainable natural resource management (SNRM) areas, and community zones via negotiated agreements. Partners and Tools Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) supports since 2008; challenges include unclear boundaries, resettlement, and capacity gaps addressed through patrols, monitoring, and community engagement.
- Visitor experience
- Trekking and Wildlife Spotting Visitors trek multi-day routes like the 3-5 day Sanetti Plateau hike for Ethiopian wolves, mountain nyala, and giant molerats, or summit Tullu Dimtu (4,377m) for panoramic views; birders spot 280+ species including Rouget’s rail. Scenic Drives and Hikes Drive the Goba-Dinsho road to lakes and waterfalls, hike Harenna Forest for colobus monkeys and Bale monkeys, or horse trek afro-alpine moorlands year-round, even in rain for lush scenery. Tips Base at Goba or Dinsho; hire local guides (e.g., Mohammed or Ebrahim) for expertise (~$50-100/day), permits, and campsites; rainy June-October offers solitude but slippery trails—pack layers for 20°C drops
