Tour Guide, Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
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Due to the altitude, plant diversity here is low. However, one of the notable plant species is the giant lobelia, found from 3,100m to 4,377m, growing to a maximum height of 6m. On the plateau stands Tulu Dimtu at 4,377m. This is the second-tallest mountain in Ethiopia and the tallest in Bale.
Found at staggeringly high densities in Afroalpine meadows (average of 2,500kg per km2), Afroalpine rodents (mice, rats, and molerats) dominate the cold and seemingly barren plateau. Look specifically for the giant molerat (endemic to the Bale Mountains), rock hyrax and Starck’s hare. The plateau is also home to Ethiopian wolves, and a trip to the plateau all but guarantees a sighting of this charismatic carnivore. The plateau hosts a large number of raptors that feed on the sizeable rodent population. Look for augur buzzards; Verreaux’s, tawny and steppe eagles; lanner falcons; kestrels; and the lammergeyer or bearded vulture. This is also the most southern resident and breeding area in the world for golden eagles. The lakes, rivers and swamps attract many Palearctic waders. Look for the endemic blue-winged goose (the rarest and most isolated goose in the world), spot-breasted plover, and ruddy shellduck (like the golden eagle, the ruddy shellduck population is unique and isolated). Additionally, the population of red-billed chough is the most southern population in Africa. Several pairs of wattled cranes are also present on the plateau – the northernmost population in Africa.