2 Days Harar Tours

Day 1: Arrival in Harar – Explore the Walled City

Morning:

• Arrival in Harar (either by flight to Dire Dawa + drive to Harar, or by road from Addis Ababa)

• Meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel or guesthouse.

• Quick breakfast or coffee at a local café.

Late Morning:

• Begin walking tour of Harar Jugol (the Old Walled City), founded between the 7th and 11th centuries.

  • Visit Harar city gates and narrow alleyways—explore over 80 mosques and 100 shrines.

  • See traditional Harari houses with their intricate designs.

  • Stop at Arthur Rimbaud House, a 19th-century building that now serves as a museum.

  • Visit the House of Ras Mekonnen, father of Emperor Haile Selassie (if accessible).

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Harari meal at a local restaurant.

Afternoon:

• Continue your walk through the markets and meet local artisans.

• Visit the Harar National Museum and Sherif Private Museum for insights into Harari culture and history.

• Explore the Christian and Muslim quarters, where you’ll see the peaceful coexistence of faiths.

Evening:

• Witness the famous Hyena Feeding Ritual just outside the city walls. Get a chance to feed a hyena yourself—if you’re brave!

• Dinner at a local restaurant featuring Harari specialties like spicy lamb stew and injera.

Overnight: Stay in a traditional Harari guesthouse or hotel in Harar.

Day 2: Markets, Local Life & Dire Dawa

Morning:

• Breakfast at your hotel or guesthouse.

• Visit the vibrant Harar markets:

  • Christian Market and Muslim Market, offering spices, khat, coffee, textiles, and traditional Harari baskets.

• Learn about khat cultivation and chewing culture, central to Harar’s social life.

Midday:

• Drive from Harar to Dire Dawa (approx. 1.5–2 hours).

  • En route, enjoy scenic views of the Chercher Mountains and small farming villages.

Afternoon in Dire Dawa:

• Explore Dire Dawa’s French-influenced architecture, old train station, and Kezira Market.

• Optional: visit local cafes and explore the old railway community.

• Lunch at a cafe or restaurant in Dire Dawa.

Late Afternoon:

• Transfer to Dire Dawa Airport for flight back to Addis Ababa (or continue overland).

Tour Inclusions (Sample)

• Accommodation in Harar (1 night)

• Professional local guide

• All ground transportation (including transfer from/to Dire Dawa)

• Entrance fees to museums and sites

• Meals as per itinerary

• Hyena feeding experience