Feeding wild hyenas in Harar was one of the strangest things I did in Ethiopia.
It was also one of the few that made me properly nervous.
You stand outside the old city walls after dark while spotted hyenas approach from the shadows.
I clearly remember trying to work out how close was too close. And whether I should step forward, step back, or stay completely still.
If you’re deciding whether feeding hyenas in Harar is worth doing, here’s what the experience is really like.
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Is Feeding Hyenas in Harar Worth It?
Yes, I think it’s worth doing if you’re already visiting the city and you like unusual travel experiences.
I wouldn’t cross Ethiopia just for this one activity.
But if you’re spending a night or two in Harar, it’s one of the most memorable things you can do there.
That said, it won’t be for everyone.
If being close to large, wild carnivorous animals after dark sounds more stressful than exciting, you may prefer to watch from a distance or skip it completely.
You’re not watching animals from behind glass. You’re standing outside the old city as wild hyenas come close enough for you to hear them breathing.
That’s the whole appeal, but it’s also the reason some people won’t enjoy it.
For me, it was worth doing once. I’m glad I did it.
What Actually Happens
The Harar hyena feeding usually takes place in the evening, around dusk or shortly after dark.
There are a couple of tourist feeding sites outside the old city walls, including near Fallana Gate and Erer Gate.
The setup is simple.
A local hyena man brings out meat and calls the hyenas in from the surrounding area.
At first, you only notice movement in the dark.
Then you start seeing eyes.
A few moments later, the hyenas are there properly, pacing around the edge of the group and waiting for food.
They’re much bigger up close than I expected.
They also move with that slightly hunched, loping walk that makes them look both awkward and powerful at the same time.
The hyena man feeds them pieces of meat by hand, using a short stick.
If you want to take part, you can pay him and feed them yourself.
You hold out the meat, the hyena comes in, takes it, and disappears back into the dark.
Sometimes it happens quickly.
Other times they come closer than you’d really like.
What It Felt Like
This isn’t a slick wildlife show.
It felt rough around the edges, a bit tense, and very exposed.
The hyenas moved quickly.
One second they were hanging back in the darkness.
The next, one was right in front of me, close enough that all of my sensible instincts were telling me this was a ridiculous place to be standing.
I found it genuinely unnerving, and slightly absurd.
But I’m glad I did it.
Is Feeding Hyenas in Harar Safe?
I wouldn’t describe feeding hyenas by hand as completely safe.
These are wild carnivores, and you’re standing very close to them after dark.
That’s part of what makes the experience so intense, but it also means you need to take it seriously.
The hyena men know the animals and the routine far better than you do, so listen to them carefully.
Don’t try to get a better photo, move suddenly, tease the hyenas, or do anything clever.
Definitely don’t carry food in your pockets or bag.
The hyenas will smell it.
Also, remember, you don’t have to take part. You can stand back and watch instead.
Nobody sensible is going to judge you for not wanting a wild hyena near your face.
I’m not aware of any tourists having ever been attacked. But please remember, hyenas are potentially very dangerous and don’t always act predictably.
Proceed at your own risk. If anything bad happens, I didn’t tell you to do it.
It is cool though. 
Practical Tips
Check locally where the hyena feeding is happening that evening.
There are a couple of feeding sites outside the old city walls, and it’s worth confirming the current location before you go.
Go around dusk. Exact timings can vary, so ask at your accommodation or check with someone locally earlier in the day.
Bring cash. If you want to take part, you’ll pay the hyena man directly.
Don’t bring food with you. Seriously.
That means no snacks in your pockets, no leftovers in your bag.
Use your phone or camera carefully. This is not the moment to stop paying attention to your surroundings.
And if you don’t want to feed them yourself, just watch.
You’ll still get a clear view of the hyenas without putting yourself right in the middle of it.
Is It Ethical to Feed Hyenas in Harar?
This is a fair question.
In general, I’m not a fan of animal tourism. And feeding wild animals is not something I’d usually recommend.
Harar feels more complicated.
The hyena feeding is a long-standing local practice, not just something done for tourists.
There’s an unusual relationship between the city and the hyenas that come down from the surrounding area after dark.
The hyenas have traditionally been part of Harar’s night-time ecosystem, scavenging food waste and moving around the edges of the old city.
That doesn’t automatically make feeding them ethical.
But it does mean this isn’t the same as a staged captive animal experience set up purely for visitors.
I still felt conflicted about it.
My view is that you should go in with your eyes open.
Watch first, see how you feel, and decide whether you want to take part.
FAQs
Is feeding hyenas in Harar worth it?
I think it’s worth it if you enjoy unusual experiences and you’re already planning to visit Harar. If being close to wild carnivorous animals sounds more stressful than interesting, I’d give it a miss.
Can you feed the hyenas yourself?
Yes, that’s a big part of the appeal. If you pay the hyena man, you can hold out meat on a stick and the hyena will come in to take it, sometimes getting very close.
Is the Harar hyena feeding scary?
Honestly, yes I found it pretty unnerving at times. I enjoyed it, but it won’t be for everyone.
Final thoughts
This isn’t the sort of experience everyone will enjoy, and that’s fine.
If you like travel experiences that are a bit weird and a bit intense, this will probably be right up your street.
And if it doesn’t appeal, skip it. Harar is still well worth your time.
