- See the palace of Abba Jiffar, the last independent King of Jimma
- Visit the stunningly beautiful Kafa Biosphere Reserve, the birthplace of coffee
- Tour the Bebeke Coffee Estate - the largest in Ethiopia
- Meet people of the Surma and Dizi tribes and learn about their ways of life
The western highlands of Ethiopia, with their lush green forests and rolling hills, productive cultivation and dense mountain forests, do more than any other part of the country to dispel the myth of Ethiopia of a land just of deserts and famine. The western highlands are the birthplace of coffee and home to dramatic natural rainforests, remarkable landscapes, beautiful villages, and fascinating local cultures.
Day 1: Addis Ababa to Jimma
Leaving Addis Ababa, you will start the journey south west to Jimma. On the way, you'll see villages of the Gurage and Oromo people, and the land that they traditionally farm. Overnight in a hotel in Jimma.
Day 2: Jimma to Mizan Tefari
You'll spend the morning exploring Jimma, including visits to the Jimma Museum and Abba Jiffar's Palace. Abba Jiffar was the last independent King of Jimma, and a selection of his personal effects are on display at the museum, along with some interesting ethnographic displays relating to local cultures. Abba Jiffar's palace was built during the early years of his reign at a cost of 400kg of gold and 65,000 Maria Theresa dollars (money obtained largely through the King's active involvement in the slave trade). From Jimma, you will continue the journey west, passing through the Kafa Biosphere Reserve and stopping at Kafa village. The Kafa Biosphere Reserve contains the last remaining Ethiopian subtropical moist forests of any size and is a biodiversity hotspot, containing more than 5,000 species of plants. The forest is managed by community-based committees and is also renowned for its abundance of sustainable non-timber forest products including coffee, forest cardamon, forest pepper and honey. It contains natural features such as hot springs and waterfalls and is a haven for monkeys and birds, many of which remain undocumented. Continuing the journey to Mizan Tefari, you will pass through more scenic countryside and a huge tea plantation at Wushwush. Overnight in a hotel in Mizan Tefari.
Day 3: Mizan Tefari to Kibish
From Mizan Tefari, you will follow the remote road towards the village of Kibish, stopping on the way at the Bebeka Coffee Estate. This is the largest coffee plantation in Ethiopia, covering 6,500 ha, and is home to an interesting variety of bird life. From Bebeke, the road descends into more open savannah with tall acacia trees and bands of riparian woodland supporting rich bird life. You will pass through the small market town of Dima, as well as traditional villages, and you may well see Surma men herding their cattle. Overnight camping near Kibish.
Day 4: Kibish
You'll spend the day exploring the village of Kibish and meeting the Surma people (also known as the Suri). The Surma are agro-pastoralists, with the women traditionally taking care of the household and the land, and the men taking care of the livestock. Young boys and unmarried men spend much of the year in temporary grazing camps, returning to the established settlements only for ceremonial events and to collect food supplies. The Surma are similar in appearance to the Mursi, with their most noticeable feature being the lip-plates worn by the women. They also practise the art of body painting, mixing different coloured clays with water. The men of the Surma take part in ritual stick fights using long wooden poles, called Donga. Fights are held so that young men can prove themselves to the girls and find a wife. They are also used to settle disputes between individuals, clans, or even whole villages. Overnight camping near Kibish.
Day 5: Kibish to Tum
From Kibish, you will travel to Tum, spending the day meeting members of the Surma and Dizi tribes. The Dizi people live in the highlands around Maji and Hanna and cultivate the land, and have traditionally been looked down on by the Surma because of their lack of cattle wealth. Overnight camping near Tum.
Day 6: Tum to Jimma
From Tum, you will complete the circuit back to Jimma, passing through lands occupied by the Menit, Bench and Kefa people. Overnight in a hotel in Jimma.
Day 7: Jimma to Addis Ababa
From Jimma, you will make the return journey to Addis Ababa, arriving in the late afternoon.
Services Included
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An experienced professional English-speaking guide
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All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 7
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All land transport involved in the itinerary
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3 nights accommodation in hotels, plus 3 nights camping
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Entrance fees and local guides for all excursions described
Services Not Included
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Travel Insurance
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Ethiopian Visa
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Tips for staff
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Miscellaneous expenses – alcoholic drinks, souvenirs etc.
Accommodation
This trip includes 3 nights' accommodation in hotels. The exact accommodation used will be dependant on availability but please remember that Ethiopia is a developing country and that accommodation can be basic in comparison to European standards. All accommodation is based on two people sharing a room. If you are travelling by yourself, we can pair you with another client of the same gender or, depending on availability, it may be possible to book a single room (additional charges may apply).
The trip also includes 3 nights' camping. Please bring your own sleeping bag, but all other camping equipment (tents, mattresses, cooking equipment etc.) will be provided.
Group Leader & Support Staff
The group will be accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide plus a driver and various local support staff.
Guidance On Tipping
Tipping should not be seen as something you have to do but in Ethiopia, as in many parts of the world, it is an appropriate way of saying thank you for a service well done. For each of your drivers on this trip we would recommend around £5 per day from the group, and for each of your guides around £10 per day from the group.
Upcoming tour dates:
If you are interested in this tour, we can also arrange dates to suit you so please contact us.
Alternatively, you can book direct via Viator or Trip Advisor.
Prices
The cost of this itinerary depends on your group size.
A tour for 1 person costs 96, 517 ETB (1,791 USD / 1,647 EUR / 1,451 GBP).
A tour for 2 people costs 58,008 ETB (1,076 USD / 990 EUR / 872 GBP) per person.
A tour for 3 or more people costs 45,171 ETB (838 USD / 771 EUR / 679 GBP) per person.
Please see the further details tab for information about services included.
A deposit is required upon booking. For more details, please see our FAQ page, or read our full terms and conditions.
