Attractions in Eastern Ethiopia (Harar)
Where wild hyenas roam the colorful walled city 🕌
Showing 16 attractions · Sorted by importance
Arthur Rimbaud Cultural Center
📍 Harar
🖼 Art GalleryA historic Indian-style merchant house featuring a gallery of rare 19th-century photographs and literary exhibits dedicated to the French poet.
Eastern Highlands Route
📍 Addis Ababa
🚗 Road Trip525km paved highway (1-2 days) climbing from the Rift Valley into the scenic Chercher Mountains. Highlights include the Awash River falls, panoramic views of the eastern escarpment, the French-influenced railway city of Dire Dawa, and the UNESCO-listed walled city of Harar.
Hyena Feeding Ritual
📍 Harar
🐄 FarmA world-famous nighttime experience where local specialists call and hand-feed wild hyenas just outside the historic city walls of Harar Jugol.
Babile Elephant Sanctuary
📍 Babile
🦁 ZooA rugged conservation area home to a unique population of desert-adapted elephants and diverse birdlife in the semi-arid lowlands of eastern Ethiopia.
Dire Dawa Railway Station
📍 Dire Dawa
🏰 CastleA historic early 20th-century train station reflecting French colonial architecture and the legacy of the Ethio-Djibouti railway.
Erer Gota Hot Springs
📍 Erer Gota
♨ Hot SpringNatural geothermal mineral springs with temperatures ranging between 40°C and 50°C. Historically used as a therapeutic retreat by Ethiopian royalty, including Emperor Haile Selassie, these mineral-rich waters are sought for treating skin conditions and joint pain. The facility consists of basic concrete public soaking pools set within a rugged landscape.
Megala District (Old Town)
📍 Dire Dawa
🏘 Town / VillageThe historic Muslim quarter of Dire Dawa known for its traditional markets, colorful architecture, and vibrant atmosphere.
Mount Kundudo Feral Horse Trek
📍 Gursum
🥾 Hiking & Cycling8km moderate out-and-back trek to the 3,000m flat-top summit of Mount Kundudo. Famous for hosting East Africa's only surviving population of feral horses — one of only two on the continent — and offering 360-degree views of the Harar plateau. Typical duration is 4-5 hours with an elevation gain of approximately 600m. Equipment is minimal; trekking poles are recommended for the final ascent.
Ras Makonnen Palace
📍 Harar
🏰 CastleThe former residence of Ras Makonnen, governor of Harar and father of Emperor Haile Selassie, this late 19th-century palace was constructed by Indian and Arab craftsmen and now houses a museum displaying historical weaponry and traditional costumes.
Sherif Harar City Museum
📍 Harar
🖼 Art GalleryAn extensive collection of Harari cultural arts, including vibrant traditional textiles, ornate jewelry, and ancient Islamic manuscripts housed in a historic mansion.
Valley of Marvels
📍 Babile
🏔 Scenic ViewA striking geological site featuring extraordinary balancing rock formations and towering sandstone pillars shaped by erosion.
Valley of Marvels Scenic Drive
📍 Harar
🚗 Road Trip30km paved stretch (1 hour) leading from Harar toward Babile. This route is famous for the 'Valley of Marvels' (Dakore), featuring surreal balancing rock formations and erosion-carved pinnacles, providing the primary access to the Babile Elephant Sanctuary.
Kondudo Mountain
📍 Gursum
🧗 AdventureAn ancient flat-topped mountain offering adventurous hiking opportunities and a chance to spot the only population of feral horses in East Africa.
Mount Kondudo
📍 Harar
🏔 Scenic ViewA flat-topped mountain famous for hosting a population of wild feral horses and offering spectacular trekking routes with panoramic views.