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🌎  Ethiopia 🇪🇹

📍  Harenna Forest, Ethiopia

✈️  Hawassa International Airport (AWA)

🚗  182.8 KM

⏱️  5 hours, 56 minutes

Harenna Forest, a vital part of Ethiopia's Bale Mountains National Park, is a remote and biologically rich montane cloud forest, best accessed via 4x4 vehicles, especially challenging during the rainy season. Due to its wild nature, lack of marked trails, and potential wildlife encounters, guided visits with experienced local guides are highly recommended, if not mandatory for park entry and safety, making solo exploration impractical and unsafe. The dry season (October to March) offers the most favorable conditions for trekking and wildlife viewing, while the wet season (April to September) can render some areas inaccessible. A typical visit to explore the forest's unique biodiversity, including endemic wildlife and wild coffee, usually requires 1-2 full days as part of a larger Bale Mountains itinerary, with approximate costs ranging from $100-$300+ per day covering park fees, guide services, vehicle hire, and basic accommodation. Visitors should be prepared for high altitudes, bring appropriate gear, and appreciate its pristine, untouched environment.