The Bale Mountains is one of the best places in Ethiopia to see wildlife. The most popular residents here are the endemic Ethiopian wolf and mountain Nyala. For bird lovers, the Bale Mountains are a paradise, with over 250 recorded species living in the park boundaries, at least 16 of which are endemic to Ethiopia. The most popular areas for wildlife viewing are the Sanetti Plateau, where the Ethiopian wolf is most commonly seen, as well as the Harenna Forest, a dense, moist forest with an abundance of plant-and wildlife.
Not far from the Bale Mountains lie the Sof Omar caves. Said to be the largest network of caves in Africa, they stretch 15.1km (9.5 miles), with the Web River snaking through the cave system the entire distance. The most stunning feature of the caves is the towering limestone pillars, the most famous of which are located in the Chamber of Columns. Not only a natural wonder, the Sof Omar caves are an important religious center for both Islam as well as local animist religions.
