Getting to Harar in Eastern Ethiopia
To do the hyena feeding you'll need to be in Harar, and as the feeding occurs at dusk (7pm ish - changes depending on the seasons), you'll need to spend at least a night in the town of Harar. You have to be keen if you want to get there - it's a long, scary and gruelling bus journey in a crampt and overcrowded mini-bus trust me!
You need to get a mini bus from Addis Ababa - the capital of Ethiopia. Once you get the bus it will take a long time through winding dangerous roads to get you to Harar. It can take between 8 and 15 hours. It's hilly but worth it.
Harar offers amazing views and hyenas come out at night.
Walk to the hyena feeding in Harar - it's the quickest way.
How much does Hyena Feeding in Harar cost?
Its costs about 100 birr each - 5 US dollars.
What is hyena feeding?
When the sun sinks, these hyenas roam the streets and backpackers in the town can head out to feed them!
What happens at hyena feeding in Harar?
We headed down the street to feed hyenas.
We arrived around 7pm and got ready to feed the hyenas
The hyena man goes first so you can see how it's done. He holds a bit of meat on a stick. The hyena comes up, hungry and eager.
We made videos and took photos of him and it was great fun to watch. After Feder had his go, I was third up and so excited.
Here are the three main parts to hyena feeding:
1. Feeding the hyenas mouth to mouth.
2. Hand to Mouth - Hold a piece of wood in your hand. Put meat on the other end. The hyena comes up, takes it, eats it and walks back.
3. On Your Back - Crouch down and the trainer holds a bit of meat above your head near your ear. The only way for a hyena to reach it, is for it to jump on your back and bite it there and then. So be ready - these are heavy beasts!!
It's a crazy experience if a tad scary!
Is it dangerous to do hyena feeding in Harar?
Don't worry - it's not that dangerous! They are not after you and they won't eat you. They only want the meat that you are displaying in front of them. Be calm and careful and don't react or shout at them of course. Just enjoy it and feed them. You'll actually find they're quite adorable despite their massive bite. When one jumps on your back you will never forget that moment.
Is it possible to take photos?
Of course it's fine! It's easy to spot a tourist here. Also - if you're scared you don't need to do it - you can just go there and watch it from a distance - no problem. If you do this, it's honourable to give an amount of money (at your discretion) to the "hyena man", as he's working for you and putting on a show.
Honestly if you end up in Harar in Eastern Ethiopia, do the hyena feeding!!! It's an amazing experience!
To do the hyena feeding you'll need to be in Harar, and as the feeding occurs at dusk (7pm ish - changes depending on the seasons), you'll need to spend at least a night in the town of Harar. You have to be keen if you want to get there - it's a long, scary and gruelling bus journey in a crampt and overcrowded mini-bus trust me!
You need to get a mini bus from Addis Ababa - the capital of Ethiopia. Once you get the bus it will take a long time through winding dangerous roads to get you to Harar. It can take between 8 and 15 hours. It's hilly but worth it.
Harar offers amazing views and hyenas come out at night.
Walk to the hyena feeding in Harar - it's the quickest way.
How much does Hyena Feeding in Harar cost?
Its costs about 100 birr each - 5 US dollars.
What is hyena feeding?
When the sun sinks, these hyenas roam the streets and backpackers in the town can head out to feed them!
What happens at hyena feeding in Harar?
We headed down the street to feed hyenas.
We arrived around 7pm and got ready to feed the hyenas
The hyena man goes first so you can see how it's done. He holds a bit of meat on a stick. The hyena comes up, hungry and eager.
We made videos and took photos of him and it was great fun to watch. After Feder had his go, I was third up and so excited.
Here are the three main parts to hyena feeding:
1. Feeding the hyenas mouth to mouth.
2. Hand to Mouth - Hold a piece of wood in your hand. Put meat on the other end. The hyena comes up, takes it, eats it and walks back.
3. On Your Back - Crouch down and the trainer holds a bit of meat above your head near your ear. The only way for a hyena to reach it, is for it to jump on your back and bite it there and then. So be ready - these are heavy beasts!!
It's a crazy experience if a tad scary!
Is it dangerous to do hyena feeding in Harar?
Don't worry - it's not that dangerous! They are not after you and they won't eat you. They only want the meat that you are displaying in front of them. Be calm and careful and don't react or shout at them of course. Just enjoy it and feed them. You'll actually find they're quite adorable despite their massive bite. When one jumps on your back you will never forget that moment.
Is it possible to take photos?
Of course it's fine! It's easy to spot a tourist here. Also - if you're scared you don't need to do it - you can just go there and watch it from a distance - no problem. If you do this, it's honourable to give an amount of money (at your discretion) to the "hyena man", as he's working for you and putting on a show.
Honestly if you end up in Harar in Eastern Ethiopia, do the hyena feeding!!! It's an amazing experience!
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