Hyena Feeding

Are you ready to sample the thrill of a lifetime? You came to the right place. Possibly Harar's greatest attraction is the hyena men of Harar. As night falls (from around 19:00), the last remaining hyena men (about four) set themselves up just outside the city walls. Sometimes the hyena men risk feeding the animals from their own mouths - you can have a go at this, too, if you like! We didn't… The hyena men know the animals as individuals and call them by the names they have given them.

Though the tradition of feeding spotted hyenas like this has existed for no more that 35 years, the ritual is less of a tourist show than some travellers imagine. The Hararis have long had a strange relationship with the hyena, and some rituals remarkably similar to this one have existed for at least 700 to 800 years.

If you want to see the feeding, just let your guide know. One feeding takes place near Sanga Gate in the east of the Old Town. The other one takes place about 200m north of Fallana Gate. Be sure to establish the fee in advance; in principle, you'll be charged about around Br50 for the 'show', more if you have a video camera (usually around Br100). If there are a few of you (say five) around Br25 is sufficient. Usually you can expect to see between 15 and 20 hyenas. Be there from around 19:00 to 20:00 to be sure of seeing the spectacle (though it can go on to 21:00). If you just turn up, you'll still be expected to contribute something.

Some guides recommend hiring a taxi to provide a kind of floodlight for the show (and to assist taking photos).