About a 90 minute drive from the nearest airport, Dire Dawa, Harar is the fourth holiest city in Islam and the scene of the nightly hyena-feeding ritual.
Five hundred kilometres east of Addis Ababa, on a high escarpment overlooking the surrounding plains, strong medieval walls encircle Harar, a city of mosques, minarets, and markets, and a centre of Muslim learning.
Once, it struck its own currency; it retains its unique language.
The city has a reputation for its textiles and bound manuscripts, its distinctive traditional houses, and the peculiar nightly ritual of attracting hyenas to certain locations on the outskirts of the city and feeding them with meat, which sometimes is even held in the 'hyena man's' mouth!
Visitors to Harar should note that accommodation in the town is at best very simple - our preference is to use a small guest house.
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
Looking for inspiration?
You'll find expert travel guides, holiday ideas and insider tips now on the Rainbow blog
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
