Dire Dawa is the gateway to the eastern highlands and the Somali Region. The walled city of Harar, an hour south by minibus, is the obvious target. The Porc-Épic Cave and the Laga Oda rock paintings can both be done in a half-day with a 4WD and a local guide.
The road north toward Djibouti runs through the Awash valley, with stark volcanic scenery and the chance of seeing wild ostriches and dik-diks. The Awash National Park is roughly 200 kilometres west on the Addis road.