Awash & Harar 5-Day Tour: Wildlife, Culture & Hyena Feeding｜Ethiopia

Day 1: Addis Ababa to Awash National Park

Depart Addis Ababa in the early morning and travel east through the Great Rift Valley, a geological wonder stretching across the African continent. Watch the landscape shift from highland farmland to open semi-arid savannah as you approach Awash National Park.

After arrival, embark on an afternoon game drive into the park's open plains, where Beisa oryx move in small herds, Soemmerring's gazelles graze at the water's edge, and Hamadryas baboons watch from rocky outcrops. Visit Awash Falls, where the Awash River crashes into a deep gorge in a curtain of white water. Stay to watch the sun drop over the savannah before the evening closes in.

Day 2: Awash to Harar

After an early start, continue eastward as the terrain transforms again, with semi-arid scrubland giving way to green highlands dotted with rural villages and terraced farms. Arrive in Harar, the ancient walled city perched in the eastern highlands, and check in before exploring the old city at dusk.

In the evening, experience the Hyena Feeding Ceremony. Just outside the city walls, local hyena men call wild spotted hyenas out of the darkness by name, feeding them scraps of meat by hand and sometimes mouth. It is a tradition rooted in centuries of spiritual coexistence between Harar's people and the hyenas that patrol its streets at night.

Day 3: Full Day in Jugol

Spend a full day exploring Harar's ancient walled city, known as Jugol, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Islam's most significant centers. Walk through its labyrinthine alleyways, past the ornate facades of traditional Harari houses with their distinctive interior design, through incense-filled shrines, and past centuries-old mosques.

Visit the house where French poet Arthur Rimbaud lived during his years as a trader in Harar, now a museum. Explore Harar's markets, overflowing with spices, hand-woven textiles, and locally grown coffee. In the afternoon, enjoy panoramic views from the city's elevated viewpoints, looking out over the surrounding highlands.

Day 4: Harar Countryside Cultural Excursion

Venture beyond the city walls into the rural communities surrounding Harar, where traditional life continues largely unchanged for generations. Visit local villages to meet farmers, artisans, and community members going about their daily routines. Observe traditional weaving, farming practices, and craftsmanship up close.

Return to Harar in the afternoon with time to wander the old city independently or relax before your final evening in the east.

Day 5: Harar to Addis Ababa

Retrace your journey back west, stopping for photography, roadside coffee, and one last look at the Rift Valley before the city skyline of Addis Ababa appears on the horizon. Arrive in the late afternoon, transferred directly to your hotel or the airport.