Ethiopia · Culture

3-Day Harar City Tour from Addis Ababa with Hyena Feeding

3 Days Round trip from Addis Ababa Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the 16th-century walled city of Harar Jugol, said to be the fourth holiest city in Islam
02 See the nightly "Hyena Man" feeding and, with a little courage, feed the hyenas yourself
03 Visit Arthur Rimbaud's house, the National and Harari museums, and traditional Harari homes
04 Discover the Babile Elephant Sanctuary, created to conserve native elephant sub-species
05 Experience the biggest camel market in Africa, along with Daketa Stone, Marvel's Valley, and Koromi village

The fortified historic town of Harar lies in the eastern part of Ethiopia, where 16th-century walls surround one of Islam's holiest cities. Harar Jugol is said to be the fourth holiest city in the Islamic world, and its townhouses with exceptional interior design form one of the most spectacular parts of the city's cultural heritage. This tour also takes you beyond the old city to the Babile Elephant Sanctuary and the biggest camel market in Africa.

The fortified historic town of Harar lies in the eastern part of Ethiopia, where 16th-century walls surround one of Islam's holiest cities.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Harar

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Fly to Dire Dawa and Travel to Harar

Fly from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa on Ethiopian Airlines.
Continue by car (D4D) from Dire Dawa to Harar, with an optional stop at Ethiopia's largest chat market.
In the evening, see the "Hyena Man" feeding the hyenas that gather nightly outside the town. With a little courage, you may also feed the hyenas yourself.

Hotel: GRAND GATO HOTEL

Day 02

Discover the Walled City of Harar

After breakfast, take a stroll through the 16th-century walled city of Harar, which is considered the fourth most important city in the Islamic world.
View the five gates and the markets near them, as well as the Old Awmeshed Mosque, built in the 10th century.
Visit the home of Arthur Rimbaud, the renowned French poet who lived in Harar.
Also see the National and Harari museums, the house of Ras Mekonnen (the father of Haile Selassie), traditional Harari homes, and many more interesting places.
Return to the hotel.

Day 03

Babile Elephant Sanctuary and Return to Addis Ababa

In the morning, drive to the Babile Elephant Sanctuary, located 25 km from town. The sanctuary was created to conserve the native elephant sub-species and is also home to around 400 elephants.
Visit the biggest camel market in Africa, the Daketa Stone, Marvel's Valley, and Koromi village. (Monday or Thursday)
Drive from Harar to Dire Dawa and catch the flight to Addis Ababa. Transfer to the airport for late-night departure if needed.