Sunday, February 9, 2014

Hyena Feeding At Dusk In Harar Ethiopia

By Jonny Blair


Getting to Harar in Eastern Ethiopia

The hyena feeding is in Harar so you'll need to get a crazy minibus out to it - it may take a while but it's worth the journey!

To get to Harar the mini bus can be a bit of a nightmare! Use local buses and you'll be able to do it no problem.

Harar offers amazing views and hyenas come out at night.

It's a short walk to the hyena feeding in Harar.

How much does Hyena Feeding in Harar cost?

For me, and the other three guys that did it, it was 100 Birr each. That's somewhere between $5 and $6 US Dollars. That's totally worth it, believe me. In fact I'd say it's a bargain as this is a special travel memory.

What happens at 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 got there at 6.45pm and paid the hyena man 100 Birr. He shakes your hand and introduces himself, then you sit down by "the tree".

The hyenas are used to it as part of a daily routine now! It's quite cool in fact! It bites it, devours it and walks back a few metres.

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. Feed them mouth to mouth.

2. Feeding the hyenas hand into mouth.

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!!

Of the three, the mouth to mouth bit is probably the scariest. For a split second I stared into the hyenas eyes, which was a scary moment. While the hyena jumping on your back is just crazy!

Is the hyena feeding in Harar dangerous?

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.

Are photos allowed?

Taking photos is fine - you can even watch if you're too scared! I'd say 50 Birr for a non-partaker is a fair sum (just under $3 US Dollars), but if you want to go lower then that's up to you. It's not like there are tens of tourists all hanging around taking photos of it. There will be a small group of people there only.

I'd say guys and girls, this is pretty much ALL you need to know about the hyena feeding in Harar. Leave me some comments below if you like it and want to ask me anything!




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