Harar Wildlife Sanctuary, Protected wildlife area in East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia
Harar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in East Hararghe Zone that covers diverse landscapes shaped by valleys and waterways. The terrain includes the valleys formed by the Erer, Dakata, and Fafen rivers, with elevations reaching approximately 1,750 meters (5,740 feet).
The sanctuary was established in 1970 to protect a native elephant subspecies found in the region. This designation marked the beginning of organized conservation efforts for the area and its wildlife.
Local communities maintain traditional ways of life within and around this protected space, depending on its natural resources as they have for generations. The sanctuary represents an ongoing relationship between people and land rather than a place completely separated from human use.
Access is possible through nearby towns, though facilities in the area remain basic and limited. A guide is essential if you want to explore the protected zones and understand what you are seeing.
The Valley of Marvels contains unusual rock formations shaped during the Precambrian era that have survived for millions of years. These geological features offer a glimpse into the ancient forces that shaped this landscape.
GPS coordinates: 8.75000,42.63330
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:46
Ethiopia offers photographers a range of subjects from medieval architecture to geologically active zones. In the north, Lalibela features eleven churches carved from solid tuff rock during the 12th and 13th centuries, while Axum holds obelisks from the Aksumite Empire that flourished from the 1st to 10th centuries. The Gheralta region of Tigray contains dozens of churches built into cliff faces, accessible via steep trails.The landscape extends from the peaks of the Simien Mountains, rising above 15,000 feet (4,500 meters), to the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth. Bale Mountains National Park supports Ethiopian wolves in afroalpine moorlands, while Awash National Park features acacia woodlands and hot springs. The walled city of Harar Jugol, with its 368 lanes and 82 mosques dating from the 16th century, displays Islamic architecture. The monasteries on Lake Tana islands hold manuscripts from the 14th to 18th centuries, and in Gondar, Fasil Ghebbi documents Ethiopian rule through its 17th and 18th century palaces and churches.
Laas Gaal
229.6 km
Awash National Park
291 km
Sof Omar Caves
284.8 km
Yangudi Rassa National Park
318.9 km
Day Forest National Park
339.6 km
Ethiopian Catholic Archeparchy of Addis Abeba
375.4 km
Amud
153.8 km
Ardoukoba
317.9 km
Jamia Mosque
82.8 km
Dhaymoole
304.8 km
Hamoudi Mosque
321.4 km
Lower Valley of the Awash
345.2 km
Adwa
245.7 km
Handoga
264 km
Mount Fentale
301.6 km
Mount Ayalu
258.8 km
Gaanlibah
269.7 km
Mount Dama Ali
301.1 km
Boina (fumarolové pole)
291.8 km
Yelet Giorgis Church, Bulga
368 km
Salman Mosque
318.9 km
Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town
82.8 km
Kone
323.6 km
Odeon Cinema
321.9 km
Rimbaud House
82.8 km
Masjid al-Qiblatayn
304.2 km
Berbera Memorial
179.2 km
Hargeisa Memorial
179.2 kmReviews
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