Bale Mountains National Park

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

🐺 Ethiopian Wolves on the Sanetti Plateau
🌍 #99 Global · 4.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #42 in Africa #44 in Savanna & Grassland
Horn of Africa, Ethiopia 996 spp. recorded

Bale Mountains National Park is a protected high-altitude grassland and mountain wilderness in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia. Visitors walk through vast sweeping plateaus and damp valleys dominated by open alpine vegetation. This terrain differs from typical tropical forests through its freezing night temperatures and endless moorlands. The park is famous as the global stronghold for the rare Ethiopian Wolf and the majestic Mountain Nyala.

6.871° N   39.777° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Ethiopian Wolf ★
EN Endemic

Ethiopian Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis simensis

80–90% · Very likely
Mountain Nyala ★
EN

Mountain Nyala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus buxtoni

70–80% · Very likely
Blue-winged Goose ★
NT Endemic

Blue-winged Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanochen cyanoptera

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Abyssinian Thrush
LC

Abyssinian Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus abyssinicus

80–90% · Very likely
Streaky Seedeater
LC

Streaky Seedeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Crithagra striolata

80–90% · Very likely
Wattled Ibis
LC

Wattled Ibis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia carunculata

70–80% · Very likely
Moorland Chat
LC

Moorland Chat

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pinarochroa sordida

70–80% · Very likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

70–80% · Very likely
Augur Buzzard
LC

Augur Buzzard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo augur

60–70% · Likely
Tacazze Sunbird
LC

Tacazze Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Nectarinia tacazze

60–70% · Likely
Baglafecht Weaver
LC

Baglafecht Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus baglafecht

60–70% · Likely
Chestnut-naped Spurfowl
LC

Chestnut-naped Spurfowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis castaneicollis

60–70% · Likely
Bohor Reedbuck
LC

Bohor Reedbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Redunca redunca

60–70% · Likely
Dusky Turtle Dove
LC

Dusky Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia lugens

60–70% · Likely
Big-headed Mole-rat
EN

Big-headed Mole-rat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tachyoryctes macrocephalus

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Ethiopian Wolf ★
EN Endemic

Ethiopian Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis simensis

80–90% · Very likely
Mountain Nyala ★
EN

Mountain Nyala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus buxtoni

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

70–80% · Very likely
Bohor Reedbuck
LC

Bohor Reedbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Redunca redunca

60–70% · Likely
Big-headed Mole-rat
EN

Big-headed Mole-rat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tachyoryctes macrocephalus

60–70% · Likely
Mantled Guereza
LC

Mantled Guereza

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Colobus guereza

60–70% · Likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

50–60% · Likely
Ethiopian Highland Hare
LC Endemic

Ethiopian Highland Hare

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lepus starcki

50–60% · Likely
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

50–60% · Likely
Blick's Grass Rat
NT

Blick's Grass Rat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Arvicanthis blicki

50–60% · Likely
Bush Duiker
LC

Bush Duiker

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sylvicapra grimmia

40–50% · Likely
Rock Hyrax
LC

Rock Hyrax

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Procavia capensis

40–50% · Likely
Bale Monkey
VU

Bale Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus djamdjamensis

30–40% · Possible
Black-clawed Brush-furred Rat
VU

Black-clawed Brush-furred Rat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lophuromys melanonyx

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Blue-winged Goose ★
NT Endemic

Blue-winged Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanochen cyanoptera

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Abyssinian Thrush
LC

Abyssinian Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus abyssinicus

80–90% · Very likely
Streaky Seedeater
LC

Streaky Seedeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Crithagra striolata

80–90% · Very likely
Wattled Ibis
LC

Wattled Ibis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia carunculata

70–80% · Very likely
Moorland Chat
LC

Moorland Chat

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pinarochroa sordida

70–80% · Very likely
Augur Buzzard
LC

Augur Buzzard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo augur

60–70% · Likely
Tacazze Sunbird
LC

Tacazze Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Nectarinia tacazze

60–70% · Likely
Baglafecht Weaver
LC

Baglafecht Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus baglafecht

60–70% · Likely
Chestnut-naped Spurfowl
LC

Chestnut-naped Spurfowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis castaneicollis

60–70% · Likely
Dusky Turtle Dove
LC

Dusky Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia lugens

60–70% · Likely
Abyssinian Siskin
LC

Abyssinian Siskin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Serinus nigriceps

60–70% · Likely
White-collared Pigeon
LC

White-collared Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Columba albitorques

60–70% · Likely
Abyssinian Catbird

Abyssinian Catbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parophasma galinieri

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Grass-top skink
LC

Grass-top skink

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Trachylepis megalura

Insufficient data
Bale Two-horned Chameleon
NT

Bale Two-horned Chameleon

Reptile

Trioceros balebicornutus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Shoa Forest Tree Frog
VU

Shoa Forest Tree Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Leptopelis ragazzii

Insufficient data
Badditu Forest Tree Frog
LC

Badditu Forest Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Leptopelis gramineus

Insufficient data
Robe Rocket Frog

Robe Rocket Frog

Amphibian

Ptychadena robeensis

Insufficient data
🐸 No photo available
VU

Kouni Valley striped frog

Amphibian

Paracassina kounhiensis

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Ethiopian Wolf Sightings

JanFebNovDec

The Ethiopian Wolf, the rarest canid in Africa, is frequently observed in the Sanetti Plateau during dawn and dusk, often hunting rodents or resting in Afroalpine meadows.

Ethiopian Wolf
EN Endemic

Ethiopian Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis simensis

80–90% · Very likely
🦌

Mountain Nyala Migration

JanFebMarJulDec

Mountain Nyalas descend from the high-altitude moorlands to lower grasslands and forests, particularly around the Harenna Forest, creating spectacular seasonal movements.

Mountain Nyala
EN

Mountain Nyala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus buxtoni

70–80% · Very likely
🦌

Bale Monkey Foraging

MarSepNovDec

The endemic Bale Monkey, found only in the Bale Mountains, is observed foraging in bamboo and Hagenia forests, often in troops of up to 50 individuals.

Bale Monkey
VU

Bale Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus djamdjamensis

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
Ethiopian Wolf
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
90–100
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
90–100
Mountain Nyala
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Blue-winged Goose
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
70–80
40–50
40–50
Abyssinian Thrush
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
90–100
80–90
70–80
70–80
90–100
90–100
Streaky Seedeater
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
90–100
Wattled Ibis
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
90–100
Moorland Chat
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
50–60
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
Common Warthog
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
40–50
60–70
70–80
80–90
Augur Buzzard
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Tacazze Sunbird
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
40–50
Baglafecht Weaver
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
80–90
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
Chestnut-naped Spurfowl
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Bohor Reedbuck
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
30–40
30–40
70–80
60–70
Dusky Turtle Dove
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
80–90
60–70
Big-headed Mole-rat
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
40–50
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
Animal Events
🦌 Ethiopian Wolf Sightings
🦌 Mountain Nyala Migration
🦌 Bale Monkey Foraging

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐺 Ethiopian Wolves on the Sanetti Plateau

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
723
🐒 Mammals
160
🦎 Reptiles
84
🐸 Amphibians
29
996 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
54 Threatened 5 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
74%
📊
Coverage (141 species at ≥5% of 996 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
14%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 4 mammal)
46% Global avg
59%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
111
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
15
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
39

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Bale Mountains National Park?

The most likely sightings are Abyssinian Thrush (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Ethiopian Wolf (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Streaky Seedeater (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Wattled Ibis (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Moorland Chat (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 996 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Bale Mountains National Park for wildlife?

July has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Ethiopian Wolf in Bale Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 83% of wildlife watchers report a Ethiopian Wolf sighting in Bale Mountains National Park, based on 47 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Mountain Nyala in Bale Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 73% of wildlife watchers report a Mountain Nyala sighting in Bale Mountains National Park, based on 30 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Blue-winged Goose in Bale Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 52% of wildlife watchers report a Blue-winged Goose sighting in Bale Mountains National Park, based on 85 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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