Cheap Flights to Dodola

Dodola is a town in Mirab Arsi Zone located in Oromia Region. It is about 2363 to 2493 meters above sea level and functions as the seat of government of Dodola District. It is in the southeastern portion of Ethiopia. It is about 233 kilometers away from Ethiopia's famous capital, Addis Ababa.

Dodola is a few kilometers from the Asela and Shashememe road junction. The roads around this highland town are dusty and it has nothing much to offer for tourists besides mountain trekking climbing and horse trekking. It will take you some 3 hours to reach Dodola by a bus. Many mountain climber clubs availing cheap flights to Dodola set foot on Dodola before heading to Bale mountains National Park in Addis Ababa.

There are mountain trekking circuits in Dodola organized by Integrated Forest Management Plan or IMFP. This NGO offers locals as guides and provides information for safe Dodola mountain trekking. Within the town, trekkers can buy their provisions in small stalls selling goods at cheaper price. There are also small restaurants offering good Ethiopian lunch and dinner with injera pans always ready for serving.

Most of trekker's accommodation here is run by NGO helping locals run an eco-tourism project. Hotels in Dodola are usually lodge type of accommodation also run by NGO' or Missionaries helping local residents in their livelihood. Staying in these lodges can stretch your limited travel budget.

Dodola's lands are the usual open fields with cattle and horses grazing the green grounds. A local mountain called Gama Mountain offers the countryside’s views while trekking the mountain's cliff offers brief views of Menelik bushbuck grazing.

In the heart of the town is a lively market usually filled with the locals wearing colorful shemma and netela; Ethiopian piece of clothing and shawl respectively. On the way out of the town is an old grain Mill that was built around 1930. This old grain mill is a reminder that Dodola has rich resources for agriculture.

Some climbing and trekking clubs used Dodola trekking circuit as preparation stage for their Bale Mountains trekking adventures. With available cheap flights to Dodola all-year round, this small town offers them the best preparation and training ground for a grand Bale Mountains trekking.