Independent Trekking and Travel

A German NGO set up a network of trekking huts around Dodala which make this one of the easiest cheapest places to trek in Ethiopia.  A guide is required who will contact the caretakers of the trekking huts.  The huts have clean water, cooking supplies, bathrooms, bunk beds, and blankets, but trekkers are expected to bring and cook there own food.  There is also the option of hiring horses and going by horseback.  I personally preferred to walk rather than ride a horse.  The horses don't move much faster than walking speed are more restricted in the routes they can go.  If you have visions of galloping across the Ethiopian landscape you'll be very disappointed.  Think pony rides at a county fair.  The scenery is nice, but this area of the Bale mountains is not particularly good for wildlife viewing and you will be unlikely to see anything more than a few monkeys.  So if you are interested in seeing wildlife you're better off going to Dinsho and hiking into the Bale National Park from there. If you don't have any camping gear and want to do a little trekking and learn a bit about the local culture this is a good option, and for a very reasonable price.