A distinctive introduction to Harari is through Harar. The city lies on a plateau surrounded by deep gorges, deserts and savannas. This landscape gives the destination a striking setting; Harar’s cultural history comes to life at festival sites, in a museum and through a unique practice at dusk. If you are weighing up landscape and urban cultural discoveries for your trip, Harar offers different ways to experience both.

Shuwalid and a historic house

Shuwalid is an annual three-day festival of the Harari people. It is celebrated at the shrines of Aw Shulum Ahmed and Aw Akebara, which stand by the main entrance gates of the walled city of Harar. The festival’s duration and locations give the tradition a concrete setting: you can encounter it both as a recurring occasion and at specific sites. If you would like to include Shuwalid in your travel plans, check the exact festival dates in advance.

Another historical trace leads to the Sherif Harari City Museum. It is housed in a two-storey mansion with wide balconies, where Emperor Haile Selassie spent much of his childhood. In this way, the house is connected to a biographical story. Its distinctive architecture and historical association offer two different perspectives on the same building.

A practice at dusk and getting around

At dusk, Harar’s hyena men feed wild hyenas at two locations: at the Aw Ansar Ahmed Shrine outside the Argob bari Gate, and at the Christian slaughterhouse outside the Assumiy Bari Gate. These two location details pinpoint this unusual practice. If you plan to see it, check in advance whether it is currently possible; its current operation is not guaranteed.

For guided tours exploring Harar Jugol, you can contact hotels or the central Tourist Information Office. Check current availability in advance. Taxis and bajaj can be picked up at Feres Megala and along the main road through Harar’s new town; availability may vary. The information serves different purposes: a guided tour is one way to explore Harar Jugol, while Feres Megala and the main road in the new town are pickup points for taxis and bajaj.

Harari within the wider destination of Ethiopia

Beyond Harari lies the wider destination of Ethiopia, where other cultural landscapes and natural environments offer their own contrasts. In the Konso Cultural Landscape, extensive dry-stone terraces protect the soil from erosion, retain water and form terraced fields used for agriculture. Bale Mountains National Park contains Africa’s largest area of afro-alpine habitats above 3,000 metres, as well as numerous glacial lakes, wetlands and peatlands. These examples show the breadth of the wider destination; with Harar, Harari adds its own distinctly urban cultural perspective to this diversity.

Whether you focus on an annual festival, a historically significant building or practical information for exploring Harar Jugol, these details can help you tailor your trip to your interests.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: East Hararghe, Oromia, Addis Ababa, Benishangul-Gumuz, Dire Dawa, Tigray, Amhara, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region.

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