Park geography

Mapped boundaries, elevation data, and environmental landscape features within the Bale Zone

Bale Mountains National Park: geography

Location: Bale Zone, Ethiopia. Recorded area: 2,220 km².

A stylized digital illustration of a mountainous landscape with a prominent peak in the center, a winding dirt path in the foreground, and lush green highland vegetation including scattered palm-like trees.

Ethiopia's highland wilderness with Africa's largest Afromontane habitat and endemic wildlife

Bale Mountains National Park

Bale Mountains National Park is a protected highland wilderness in southeastern Ethiopia, spanning approximately 2,150 square kilometers within the Bale Zone of the Oromia Region. The park encompasses the Bale Mountains and Sanetti Plateau, dramatic alpine terrain that rises to 4,385 meters at Mount Tullu Dimtu, making it one of the highest mountain protected areas in Africa. The park holds the distinction of containing Africa’s largest area of Afromontane habitat, a globally significant ecosystem characterized by montane forests, grasslands, and moorlands that support extraordinary biodiversity. Established in 1970, the park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, recognizing its outstanding universal value as a center of endemism with one of the highest incidences of animal endemism of any terrestrial habitat in the world. The landscape transitions from the dense Harenna Forest at lower elevations through montane grasslands to the Afro-alpine moorlands of the Sanetti Plateau, creating distinct ecological zones within a relatively compact area.

Location: Ethiopia
Park type: National park
Established: 1970
Area: 2,220 km²
Highest point: 4,385 m

Bale Mountains National Park National Park Atlas

Location overview

Protected area positioning within the Oromia region and Bale Zone

Geographic Overview of Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia

Bale Mountains National Park lies within the Bale Zone of the Oromia region in Ethiopia. The territory functions as a purely inland, non-transboundary reserve under national management.

Countries: Ethiopia
Regions: Bale Zone, Oromia
Primary location: Bale Zone
Geographic setting: Inland

Boundary and coordinates

Mapping the 2220 square kilometer footprint and coordinate span

Bale Mountains National Park Boundary Map and Spatial Limits

Interactive geometry showcases the mapped footprint of the park to establish clear spatial context. Accompanying calculations detail the estimated 2220 square kilometer area along with geographic center coordinates and lateral spans.

Boundary area: 2,415.2 km²
Boundary perimeter: 250.1 km
Northernmost point: 7.1637° N
Southernmost point: 6.4651° N
Easternmost point: 39.9784° E
Westernmost point: 39.4593° E
Geographic centre: 6.7994° N, 39.7359° E
North–south span: 77.3 km
East–west span: 57.4 km

Bale Mountains National Park

Elevation and terrain

Mountain relief range and recorded natural features

Bale Mountains National Park Terrain and Elevation Profile

Recorded elevation records place the highest point of the park at 4385 meters within mountainous terrain. Associated feature cards detail specific peaks, rivers, forests, waterfalls, and viewpoints found inside the protected boundaries.

Maximum elevation: 4,385 m
Highest point: 4,385 m

Selected named natural features

Viewpoints

Bale Mountains Viewpoint

4,377 m

Rivers

Weyib

Waterfalls

Finch Habera

Forests

Harena Forest

Rivers

Webi Gestro

Peaks

Tullu Dimtu

4,377 m

Bale Mountains National Park Natural Features

Environmental setting

Interpreting recorded mountain terrain, forest cover, and diverse plateau habitats

Bale Mountains National Park Environmental Setting and Protected Area Classifications

Recorded landscape features and habitat types provide complementary ways to read the physical setting of Bale Mountains National Park. Stored classifications connect directly to relevant atlas destinations where available.

Relief: Mountain
Water: Minor water
Forest cover: Mostly forested

Landscape features

Mountains · Plateau · Forest · Grassland · Wetland

Habitat types

Montane forest · Temperate broadleaf forest · Alpine meadow · Grassland · Wetland

Park atlas

Trace mapped park geography, compare unique Afro-alpine ecosystems, and explore connected protected landscapes across the Ethiopian highlands.

Explore Nearby National Parks and Protected Areas Beyond Bale Mountains National Park

Continue your exploration from Bale Mountains National Park by browsing other national parks and protected areas in the surrounding Ethiopian highlands, tracing diverse landscapes from Afromontane forests to alpine moorlands. Compare protected areas by their unique biodiversity, elevation, and conservation status, gaining broader regional context and uncovering distinct conservation landscapes.

National parkArsi Zone

About 103 km away#1 closest

North

Arsi Mountains National Park: Protected Ethiopian Highlands Landscape & Geography

Mapped protected terrain and endemic species habitat within the Arsi Zone.

Arsi Mountains National Park is a vast protected area celebrated for its significant biodiversity and distinctive Afro-alpine ecosystems. Situated in the Arsi Zone, this national park encompasses a dramatic mountain landscape central to the Ethiopian Highlands. It serves as a crucial refuge for endangered endemic species, including the mountain nyala and Ethiopian wolf, within its varied ecological zones and protected park boundaries, offering rich context for geographic exploration.

Area: 10,876 km²
Established: 2011
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Arsi Mountains National Park Protected Area

National parkEthiopia

About 124 km away#2 closest

Northwest

Abidjatta-Shalla National Park: Ethiopian National Park and Rift Valley Bird Habitat

Mapped terrain and protected wetland ecology in the Ethiopian Rift Valley.

Explore Abidjatta-Shalla National Park, a significant protected area in Ethiopia renowned for its stunning avian spectacles, particularly the vast flamingo colonies on Lake Abijatta. This national park's landscape is defined by the distinct volcanic geology of the Rift Valley, featuring both shallow alkaline waters and deeper lakes that create diverse wetland ecosystems. Understand its geographic placement within Ethiopia and its importance as a major birdwatching destination, offering insights into unique protected natural landscapes.

Area: 887 km²
Established: 1974
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Abidjatta-Shalla National Park Ethiopia

A stylized illustration of a waterfall flowing over dark rocks, surrounded by savanna acacia trees and tall grasses under a pastel sky.

National parkEthiopia

About 221 km away#3 closest

North

Awash National Park

Discover the protected landscape of this Ethiopian National Park.

Awash National Park, in Ethiopia. Landscapes: valleys, grasslands, and wetlands.

Area: 850 km²
Established: 1966
IUCN: II
Relief: Mixed relief

Awash National Park protected area

A stylized digital illustration of a golden savanna landscape under a soft pastel sunset, featuring rolling grassy hills, scattered shrubs, and distant mountain peaks.

National parkSouth Ethiopia Regional State

About 229 km away#4 closest

West

Nechisar National Park: Protected Natural Landscape in South Ethiopia Regional State

Explore the mapped geography and protected area context of this Ethiopian park.

Nechisar National Park is designated as a national park, serving as a critical protected natural area within the South Ethiopia Regional State. This MoriAtlas entry provides detailed geographic context, focusing on the park's mapped boundaries and its place within the regional landscape. Users can explore the park's identity as a protected territory, offering a foundation for understanding Ethiopia's natural protected areas through a geographic lens.

Area: 1,030 km²
Established: 1974
IUCN: II
Relief: Mixed relief

Nechisar National Park protected area

National parkEthiopia

About 252 km away#5 closest

West

Maze National Park: Ethiopia's Essential National Park for Swayne's Hartebeest and Geothermal Wonders

Discover mapped savanna ecosystems and unique montane geography within this protected Ethiopian landscape.

Maze National Park represents a significant protected area within Ethiopia, vital for the conservation of the endangered Swayne's hartebeest. Its diverse terrain includes savanna grasslands and unique geothermal features such as active geysers, all set against a distinctive montane backdrop. This national park offers a deep dive into Ethiopia's natural heritage, providing a clear geographic identity and valuable context for landscape exploration.

Area: 210 km²
Established: 2005
IUCN: II
Relief: Mixed relief

Maze National Park Ethiopia

National parkMandera County

About 277 km away#6 closest

Southeast

Malka Mari National Park: Remote Frontier Protected Landscape and Dawa River Ecosystem

Explore the semi-arid bushland and riparian woodland geography.

Malka Mari National Park offers a profound wilderness experience as Kenya's most remote national park, situated along the Dawa River in Mandera County. This protected area features striking contrasts between arid bushland and verdant riparian woodlands, supporting unique plant species and wildlife adapted to the semi-arid environment. Its vast, undeveloped character makes it a significant site for frontier conservation and a unique destination for atlas-style landscape exploration.

Area: 1,500 km²
Established: 1989
IUCN: II
Climate: Arid

Malka Mari National Park Protected Landscape

A digital illustration of a bowl-shaped volcanic crater with a dark lake at the bottom, surrounded by steep cliffs and lush vegetation under a soft pastel sky.

National parkEthiopia

About 284 km away#7 closest

Southwest

Borena National Park: Ethiopia's Protected Landscape and National Park Geography

Discover mapped boundaries and regional landscape context.

Borena National Park is an important protected area in Ethiopia, offering a detailed view of its natural landscape and geographic setting. As a national park, it serves as a key entity for exploring regional geography and understanding protected land distribution within the Horn of Africa. This resource provides structured information on its mapped boundaries and overall landscape character, crucial for atlas-based discovery of Ethiopian natural areas.

Area: 45,366 km²
Established: 1986
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Borena National Park Ethiopia Protected Area

A digital illustration showing a panoramic view of layered mountains and lush forest, rendered in a palette of muted greens, pinks, and yellows.

National parkSouth West Ethiopia Peoples' Region

About 309 km away#8 closest

West

Chebera Churchura National Park: Ethiopia's National Park Protected Landscape Explorer

Mapping the protected area and regional geography of Chebera Churchura.

Chebera Churchura National Park is a key protected landscape in the South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region, designated as a national park. This page provides detailed geographic context and atlas-level information about the park's boundaries and its place within the regional terrain. Engage with the structured data that defines Chebera Churchura National Park's identity as a significant natural area for map-based discovery.

Area: 1,250 km²
Established: 2006
IUCN: II
Climate: Tropical

Chebera Churchura National Park Atlas

MoriAtlas Explorer

Bale Mountains National Park

Explore the map, landscapes, and protection details for Bale Mountains National Park.

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Bale Mountains National Park National Park Atlas

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