Introduction
Dire Dawa
Today, much bigger, more industrial and generally more commercial and enterprising than Harar, Dire Dawa is a fairly new city by Ethiopian standards. It came into being as a phenomenon of the Djibouti-Addis Abeba Railway line that reached Dire Dawa in 1902. The two cities are 54 km apart.
Harar
Harar’s old walled town (known as Jugal) is a fascinating place that begs exploration. The thick, 5m-high walls running 3.5km around town were erected in the 16th century in defensive response to the migrations northward of the Oromo, and little development occurred outside them until the early 20th century. There are six gates: five 16th-century originals and the car-friendly Harar Gate, also known as Duke’s Gate after Ras Makonnen, the first duke of Harar, who added it in 1889. The colorful atmosphere of its multi-ethnic culture is Harar’s unmistakable characteristic. Traditionally, the walled quarters of old Harar (dating back to the 16th century) have been the exclusive domain of the Harari or Adere people, Ethiopia’s most urbanized ethnic group. It also has an incredibly constant and comfortable climate.
Eastern Hyena Feeding Site
The first sight of Africa’s second-largest predator is usually of vague shadows and luminous green eyes as they skulk in and out of the shadows. As the pack grows more confident, they dart forward with their peculiar gait until all reservations are lost and they approach the hyena men to be fed, literally climbing on top of them to make a show of it.
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visit to to mount Entoto
- Visit to Dire Dawa
Day 1: Addis Ababa
Day 01: Arrival - Sightseeing Addis (The new Flower)
You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Refresh and begin your sightseeing of Addis with a drive up to mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis. Descend down and drive to National museum where you will have a chance to spot the oldest hominids of ‘Lucy’ fossil. Visit and proceed to the Holy Trinity built during the WWII. Then proceed to Ethnographic museum, which use to be the palace of Emperor Hailesellase. To wrap up you drive to merkato, the biggest market in East Africa. Overnight in Addis.
Day 2: Fly Addis – Dire Dawa – Harar
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Dire Dawa where you will be met upon arrival and drive to Harar. Harar is a labyrinth of small streets surrounded by old city walls is the fourth holiest city for the muslim people next to Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Its architecture reflects a strong Islamic influence. The sightseeing of Harar will include the market, the French poet – Rimbaud house, the harari museum and the tomb of Emir Nur hwo buit the Harar walls known Jugol. Tonight we will attain the hyena-man show. Overnight in Harar.
Day 3: Drive Harar – Dire Dawa – Fly Addis - Departure
This day you will drive to Dire Dawa passing through Aweday chat market. Upon arrival in Dire Dawa you will catch your flight back to Addis. Be met upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for day use. In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Later you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.
