Harar, Awash & Bale Mountains

This extraordinary 6-day journey combines Ethiopia’s rich Islamic heritage with incredible wildlife experiences, offering the perfect blend of cultural immersion and natural exploration. From the ancient walled city of Harar to the pristine wilderness of the Bale Mountains, discover Ethiopia’s remarkable diversity.

Harar represents one of Africa’s most significant Islamic centers, with its UNESCO-listed old town (Harar Jugol) featuring over 80 mosques within ancient walls. This 16th-century city served as a major trading hub connecting Africa with the Arabian Peninsula, creating a unique cultural fusion that continues today.

The famous “Hyena Man” feeding ceremony provides an unforgettable wildlife encounter where local families have maintained peaceful relationships with spotted hyenas for generations. This unique tradition demonstrates the harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife that characterizes Ethiopian culture.

Babile Camel Market offers authentic insights into East African trading traditions, where Somali and Oromo herders gather to trade camels, goats, and cattle using methods unchanged for centuries. The market’s vibrant atmosphere and traditional negotiations provide fascinating cultural photography opportunities.

Arthur Rimbaud House Museum commemorates the famous French poet’s time in Harar, where he lived as a trader after abandoning poetry. His residence now showcases colonial-era artifacts and provides insights into 19th-century European presence in Ethiopia.

Awash National Park protects diverse ecosystems from acacia woodlands to grasslands, supporting over 460 bird species and significant mammal populations. The park’s varied habitats create excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for endemic and rare African species.

The Bale Mountains represent Ethiopia’s largest alpine ecosystem, home to the endangered Ethiopian wolf - the world’s rarest canid. The Sanetti Plateau’s high-altitude environment supports unique endemic species adapted to Afro-alpine conditions.

Harenna Forest provides a completely different ecosystem experience as Ethiopia’s only cloud forest. This biodiversity hotspot contains moss-covered trees, bamboo groves, and endemic primates, creating a mystical atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country.

This tour appeals to travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences combined with exceptional wildlife viewing in some of Ethiopia’s most pristine and lesser-visited destinations.