French Colonial Architecture, Africa's First Railway & The Fourth Holiest City of Islam
Welcome to eastern Ethiopia, where the landscape cracks open and history whispers from every stone wall. This journey takes you to two of Ethiopia's most unique and under-visited cities. Start in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia's second-largest city, a melting pot of cultures built around the Franco-Ethiopian railway. Walk through streets lined with French colonial architecture—shuttered windows, wrought-iron balconies, and a bygone era of steam engines. Then travel to the walled wonder of Harar Jugol, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the fourth holiest city of Islam—a labyrinth of 368 winding alleys, 82 mosques, and colorful markets that have barely changed in 1,000 years. At night, sit on a small stool outside the city walls and watch as wild hyenas eat from your hand—a tradition that has survived for generations. At Monpays Tours, we invite you to discover an Ethiopia unlike any other: more Arabian than African, more mysterious than ancient, and utterly unforgettable. Celebrate 20 years with this journey to the edge of Ethiopia.
Dire Dawa:
French Colonial Architecture – Dire Dawa was built around the Franco-Ethiopian railway (completed 1917). The central "Kebele" area features beautiful examples of European colonial design—shuttered windows, wrought-iron balconies, and high ceilings.
Legehare Market – One of the largest open-air markets in Ethiopia. Sprawling, chaotic, and colorful. You will find everything from fresh khat leaves (chewed by locals in the afternoon) to camels, spices, textiles, and imported goods.
Dire Dawa Railway Station – The historic terminus of the railway from Djibouti. The old station building is a beautiful relic of a bygone era, with original French signage and vintage rolling stock.
Kefira Market – Smaller than Legehare but famous for its silver and traditional Oromo jewelry.
Dire Dawa Museum – Small but informative museum covering the history of the region, the railway, and the cultures of the Afar, Oromo, and Somali people.
Harar (Jugol - UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Harar Jugol (The Walled City) – A 1,000-year-old walled city (3.5 kilometers of wall with 5 ancient gates). Inside, a labyrinth of 368 winding alleys, 82 mosques (including the 16th-century Grand Mosque), 102 shrines, and traditional merchant houses with unique Harari interior design.
Hyena Feeding (Nighttime) – A unique Harari tradition. Just outside the city walls (usually at the "Hyena Gate" - Bab al-Salam), locals feed wild spotted hyenas from a stick or their hands. This tradition dates back to the 1960s when feeding hyenas was believed to prevent them from attacking livestock. Today, it is a breathtaking cultural experience.
Rimbaud House – Once home to the French poet Arthur Rimbaud (who lived in Harar as a merchant and gunrunner from 1880–1891). The building now houses a small museum with photographs, manuscripts, and artifacts from Rimbaud's life.
Harar Museum (Bashir's House) – A beautifully restored Harari merchant house. Excellent displays of Harari silver jewelry, traditional costumes, ceramics, and photographs of daily life.
The Colorful Market (Souq) – Unlike any other Ethiopian market. The narrow alleys are draped in fabrics, baskets, and spices in vivid shades of pink, purple, orange, and yellow. Harar is famous for its woven baskets (some of the finest in Africa) and silver jewelry.
The Five Gates of Harar – The original wall has five gates: Berbera Gate, Cairo Gate, Sanga Gate, Erer Gate, and Fallana Gate. Each has its own history and character. Walking the circumference of the wall (3.5 kilometers) is a wonderful activity.
Sherif Harar City Museum – Located in a former governor's residence. Displays include Harari manuscripts (the city was a center of Islamic learning), coins, weapons, and historical photographs.
Chip Chat Ceremony – Harar is famous for its coffee (Harari longberry is a prized heirloom variety). Participate in a traditional chip chat (Harari coffee ceremony) spiced with cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.
Harar Brewery – Believe it or not, Harar has a brewery (famous for "Harar Beer" and "St. George Beer"). A refreshing stop after a day in the alleys.
Awaday (Khat Capital of Ethiopia) – Located just outside Harar, Awaday is the "khat capital" of Ethiopia. The town is carpeted in fresh khat leaves (Catha edulis) daily, bound for markets across Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. An unusual but fascinating sight.
Let our travel experts craft the perfect itinerary for your Ethiopian adventure.
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