Hotel in Harari Region, Ethiopia
Harer Ras Hotel Harar
Comfortable hotel near Harar's walled old city offering clean rooms, hot showers, and helpful staff. Good base for exploring Jugol and experiencing the hyena feeding. Restaurant serves decent Ethiopian and international food.
Harer Ras Hotel is a mid-range accommodation in New Harar, the modern quarter of Harar city, positioned in the Harari Region of eastern Ethiopia approximately 500 meters from the historic gates of Jugol — the UNESCO World Heritage-listed walled old city. This location places guests within easy walking distance of the ancient medina's network of narrow alleys, mosques, traditional Harari houses, and the atmospheric market streets where chat (khat) trading is a dominant daily activity, while situating them in the quieter modern quarter with better vehicle access and parking. The hotel offers clean rooms with reliable hot water, free WiFi, and private bathrooms. Standard and superior room categories are available, with superior rooms providing enhanced comfort for a modest price premium. The property includes a restaurant serving Ethiopian and limited international cuisine, with Harari-influenced dishes including maraq — a spiced meat broth — and rice-based meals occasionally featured alongside the standard injera menu. The bar is a straightforward space suitable for evening relaxation. Harar is internationally celebrated for the nightly hyena feeding ceremony, conducted each evening outside Fallana Gate where local hyena feeders have maintained a centuries-old tradition of hand-feeding wild spotted hyenas. The hotel staff regularly arrange transport and guide services for guests attending this after-dark event, which typically draws a small crowd of travelers alongside local observers. Staff can also organize guided walking tours through Jugol's historic interior, including visits to the Rimbaud House — a French cultural heritage site associated with the poet Arthur Rimbaud — the Harari Cultural Museum, and the Al-Jami Mosque. Harar is accessible from Dire Dawa airport approximately 55 kilometers away, with shared minibus connections running throughout the day. Ethiopian Airlines operates regular domestic flights between Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. Laundry service is available for travelers on extended eastern Ethiopia itineraries incorporating Harar, Dire Dawa, and the Somali Region. At $40-75 per night, Harer Ras Hotel provides reliable mid-range value in a city where accommodation options outside the walled city are limited in this category.
Amenities
- restaurant
- bar
- free WiFi
- hot water
- tour arrangements
- parking
- laundry
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +251 25 666 2222
Location
New Harar, Harari Region
9.3144, 42.1265 — View on map
Highlights
- 500 meters from the gates of Jugol, Harar's UNESCO World Heritage-listed walled old city
- Staff arrange hyena feeding ceremony transport and guided Jugol walking tours
- Mid-range pricing in a city with limited accommodation alternatives at this level
- Harari-influenced menu items including maraq broth alongside standard Ethiopian cuisine
- Convenient location with vehicle access and parking near historic Harar
Tips
- Attend the hyena feeding ceremony outside Fallana Gate — this nightly event is one of Ethiopia's most distinctive experiences and takes place after dark, with the hotel able to arrange a guide and transport.
- The best time to walk through Jugol is early morning before the khat market gets busy, when the narrow alleys are quiet and the light is soft through the old city gates.
- Hire a licensed guide for Jugol's interior — the walled city's lanes are genuinely maze-like and a good guide adds significant historical and cultural context to the 99 mosques, shrines, and Harari houses.
- Chat (khat) is widely chewed throughout Harar and the Harari Region; the morning khat market near the main gate is a vivid cultural sight worth observing, though visitors should be respectful of the commercial activity.
- The Rimbaud House and Harari Cultural Museum both deserve a dedicated visit; combine them in a half-day walking tour of the old city with a licensed guide.
FAQ
What is the hyena feeding ceremony in Harar?
Each evening after dark, local hyena feeders outside Harar's Fallana and Argoba gates call wild spotted hyenas by name and hand-feed them raw meat. The tradition reportedly dates back several centuries and is linked to local beliefs about hyenas and spiritual protection. The ceremony typically lasts 20-30 minutes and is accessible to visitors with a guide.
How far is Harer Ras Hotel from the Jugol old city?
The hotel is in New Harar approximately 500 meters from the walled city gates, a short walk of five to ten minutes. The location provides easy access to Jugol while offering the convenience of the modern quarter.
How do travelers reach Harar?
Most travelers fly to Dire Dawa airport with Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa, then take a shared minibus or private taxi approximately 55 kilometers west to Harar, a journey of about 1.5 hours. Some travelers drive the overland route from Addis Ababa, approximately 525 kilometers and a full day's drive.
Is Harar suitable for a day trip or does it require multiple nights?
Harar rewards at least two nights. The Jugol walking tour, evening hyena ceremony, and morning market activity together require more than a single day to experience properly. Three nights allows a relaxed pace with time for museum visits and day trips to the surrounding countryside.
Accessibility
Harer Ras Hotel has basic facilities with some steps at the entrance and between floors. The Jugol walled city involves extensive walking on uneven cobbled lanes with many steps and narrow passages, making wheelchair access within the historic city impractical. The modern streets of New Harar surrounding the hotel are more level and accessible.
When to visit
Harar can be visited year-round given its relatively moderate eastern highland climate. October through February offers the most comfortable temperatures for walking the walled city. The hyena feeding ceremony takes place nightly regardless of season and is the primary after-dark attraction throughout the year.