quicklinks > request itinerary : other regions in Ethiopia
Ethiopia:
Harar
Harar is considered a prime Muslim holy city, and within its walls are no less than 90 mosques. It was founded in the 12th century and in 1520 was captured by Ahmed Gragn who from Harar invaded large parts of Ethiopia. In 1875 Harar was captured by the Egyptians and in 1887 by Menelik II who appointed Ras Makonnen, father of Haile Selassie, whose army defeated the Italians at Adwa, as its governor. The city has a distinctly Muslim feel, but the different rules are all visible in the different architectural styles found within the city.
The former house of Haile Selassie can be visited and is at present used by a healer. The French poet Rimbaud lived in Harar as a trader and his beautiful house is still visited by tourists. The original Harari houses are also famous for their beautiful paintings and carvings. All around the walled city are markets famous for baskets, spices and the chewing herb, chat.
A long standing tradition of feeding meat to hyenas one night a year developed in the 1960s into a nightly feeding show for the benefit of tourists.
Things to do in and around Axum:
The major beauties of Harar are its colourful people and its unique atmosphere. It's a pleasure to walk around the city, look at the people and bargain at the markets. As a centre of commerce, which it used to be, Harar feels like a place where people live and let live.
quicklinks > request itinerary : other regions in Ethiopia
Other regions in Ethiopia
Axum is a city in northern Ethiopia named after the long lived Kingdom of Aksum, a naval and trading power that ruled from 400 BC into the 10th century - nearly 1,500 years.
Bahir Dar is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile.
The Bale Mountains National Park, which protects over 2,400 square kilometres of pristine plains, woodlands and bush land, is home to a multitude of unique flora and fauna species, as well as several endemic species of mammal.
The Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes are the northernmost of the African Rift Valley lakes.
Gondar, which used to be the royal capital city of Ethiopia from 1666 to 1864, was founded by Emperor Fasiladas in 1635.
Harar is considered a Muslim holy city, and within its walls are no less then 90 mosques.
Lalibela, formerly known as Roha, is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities
The Omo River Valley in south western Ethiopia is home to a number of tribes, living life much like they have for centuries.
The Simiens, which includes Ras Deshen is Ethiopia's highest mountain, are in the north-western corner of the country.
