Eastern Ethiopia Safari | Ethiopia Safari

Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Walled city of Harar

Early morning, transfer to airport for flight to Dire Dawa (08:00).
In Dire Dawa, you will be met at the airport and will transfer to Harar.
From Harar, take a drive to Babile and the Valley of Marvels.
The Valley of Marvels has wonderful landscapes, famous for its balancing rock formations.
Additionally, the town of Babile has a very large market on Saturdays and a camel market on Mondays and Thursdays.
After the visit, time permitting you may visit Koremi, a village made of stone houses set on top of a plateau.
Return to Harar for overnight at Heritage Plaza Hotel/Ras Hotel/Rewda Guesthouse.

Day 2: Walled city of Harar

Today is a full day discovering the treasures hidden in the narrow alleyways of the walled city of Harar, with its colorful markets, countless mosques and shrines and unique Harari people and homes.
Sites to visit include: the House of Rimbaud, Ras Tafari’s House, Ras Mekonnen’s Palace, the Harari National Cultural Center, and the tomb of Emir Nur, who built the famous Jugol, as the wall is known locally.
At night you will visit the hyena man, who feeds the hyenas every night just outside the walls of the city.
This tradition was started long ago to prevent these wild hyenas from hunting for food in the town.
Guests are welcome, and encouraged to feed the hyenas themselves.
Overnight in Harar at Heritage Plaza Hotel/Ras Hotel/Rewda Guesthouse.

Day 3: Safari Ends

In the morning, visit the last places of interest in Harar.
After lunch, depart to Dire Dawa.
You will have a brief visit to the lively market at Kefira before transferring to the airport for return flight to Addis Ababa (17:00).

Lalibela

Lalibela is approximately 2500m above sea level which is rather high but most standards and as we found rather lacking in oxygen levels. So when walking between the churches do not be surprised that one's lungs take a bit of strain, just ask your guide for a minute or two's rest and you will start feeling good again.

Bet Giyorgis Church

Bet Giyorgis is the most famous of Lalibela's rock hewn churches and gets its name from the patron saint of Ethiopia, St George. The church lies uncovered unlike all the other churches and is accessible by a short walk from either of the clusters (often described as the "8th Wonder of the World").

Yemrehanna Kristos

About a 90-minute drive from the town of Lalibela and driving through totally magnificent scenery one finds a church that is built inside a cave. Yemrehanna Kristos dates back to 1100 to 1200 AD period in Ethiopia's history; some say this church predates even the rock hewn churches of Lalibela itself.

Axum Stelae Field

This amazing Stelae field is around 1700 years old and is found on the opposite side of the road from the St. Mary of Zion Church and around 2 minutes drive from the centre of town. These Stelae are believed to be the grave stones of past Aksumite Kings.

Lalibela Churches Southern Cluster

The town of Lalibela hosts some of the Worlds most amazing Rock hewn churches dating back to around the 13 century. On this page, we get to explore the "Southern Cluster" of these churches, by Southern Cluster we mean the grouping of Churches south of the River Jordan.

Lake Tana

Lake Tana is Ethiopia's largest lake and covers some 3673 square kilometres whilst being 85 Km long and 66 km at its widest but is rather shallow at a maximum depth of only 15 metres. The lake is also reported to be the source of the Blue Nile River which drains out of the lake near Bahir Dar.