East to Harar
East to Harar
harar
The walled city of Harar, the spiritual heart of Ethiopia's large Muslim community, is considered by Muslims to be the fourth holiest city in the world. Harar is the provincial capital of Harerge, and it lies at the centre of a fertile agricultural area renowned for coffee and chat production.
The walled city remains largely Muslim in character - its ninety-odd mosques, many of them private, are said to form the largest concentration in the world.
- Written by Super User
- Category: East to Harar
Awash Valley
This national park lies in the dry acacia savannah of the Rift Valley about 200 km east of Addis Ababa.
The main geographical feature of the park is the gorge carved by the Awash River, which has a large waterfall at its head.
North of the Harer Road are the Filwoha Hot Springs and the Fentale Volcano; its dormant crater is notable for its steam vents. Entrance to the park costs US$ 8.50 per 48 hours.
- Written by Super User
- Category: East to Harar
Bale National Park
The thinly populated province of Bale lies in south-eastern Ethiopia. The focal point of travel in this region is the Bale Mountains, the second highest range in Ethiopia. Much of the Bale range is protected in an eponymous national park.
The main attractions of the park are the wild alpine scenery, particularly on the 4000m high Saneti Plateau, and the relative ease with which you can see many birds and mammals that are unique to Ethiopia.
Bale can be guide/travellers on foot (there are good facilities for hikers), on horseback or by vehicle - the road across the Saneti Plateau is reportedly the highest all-weather road in Africa. An entrance fee for the park of US$ 6 is levied per 48 hours. No fee is charged simply for using public transport on roads through the park.
- Written by Super User
- Category: East to Harar
