Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eastern Ethiopia
Includes »
Why Go?
Most of Eastern Ethiopia is a stark landscape of dust-stained acacia scrub and forgettable
towns. But scattered around this cloak of the commonplace are gems of genuine adventure.
Undoubtedly, the east's pièce de résistance is the walled city of Harar. There's still a patina
of myth about this ancient town, handed down from the days when its markets served as
the Horn's commercial hub and attracted powerful merchants, artisans and Islamic schol-
ars. The colonial-rural melange that is the modern city of Dire Dawa delights in its own
odd way, while nature lovers can get their kicks at Babille Elephant Sanctuary and Awash
National Park, where the volcanic landscape takes top billing over the wildlife. The truly
intrepid can follow the seemingly endless ribbon of asphalt north to the desolate southern
Danakil Desert; the territory remains virtually unexplored since legendary adventurer Wil-
fred Thesiger first thrilled the world with tales of the proud Afar.
