Coffee · Wildlife · Cultural
6-Day Southwestern Ethiopia Coffee, Wildlife & Culture
The palace of King Abba Jifar II in Jimma, the Bebeka coffee estate and the elephants of Chebera Churchura.
- Duration
- 6 Days
- Season
- October to April
- Group Size
- Private or group
- Price
- Designed Around You
The Journey
5 nights, designed around the hours that matter
Discover the history, coffee culture and wildlife of southwestern Ethiopia. Fly to Jimma for the palace of King Abba Jifar II, follow coffee from plant to cup at the Bebeka plantation, then travel through green hills and forests to Chebera Churchura National Park, known for its African elephants, buffaloes, hippos, birdlife, forests and lakes, exploring with authorised park scouts. Return to Addis Ababa for a farewell cultural dinner with live music and dance before your departure: a rewarding, less-visited side of Ethiopia.
Day by Day
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary is carefully planned, but minor adjustments may be made due to weather, local festivals, road conditions or your personal interests to ensure the best possible experience.
Day 1
Fly Addis Ababa – Jimma – Palace of King Abba Jifar II
Take a morning flight from Addis Ababa to Jimma, where your guide and driver will meet you. Visit the Palace of King Abba Jifar II, an important monument of the former Kingdom of Jimma, and learn about the king’s reign and the kingdom’s cultural and political significance. Continue with a city tour of local streets and markets, discovering Jimma’s long connection with Ethiopian coffee; if time permits, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony at a local coffee house. In the afternoon, check into your hotel and relax. Overnight: Jimma.
Day 2
Jimma – Bebeka Coffee Plantation – Mizan Teferi
After breakfast, drive southwest through the lush farmland of southwestern Ethiopia to the Bebeka Coffee Plantation, one of the country’s major commercial coffee estates. Learn about coffee cultivation, harvesting and processing and, depending on access, visit production areas and other crops grown here, such as spices and tea, with a coffee tasting where available. Continue through rural communities, green hills and forests to Mizan Teferi, stopping for photographs along the way, and if time allows take a short walk around town or visit the market. Overnight: Mizan Teferi.
Day 3
Mizan Teferi – Chebera Churchura National Park
After an early breakfast, set out for Chebera Churchura National Park, a wilderness of forests, rivers and lakes renowned for its elephants. The drive can take several hours depending on the route and road conditions, so a 4x4 vehicle and an early start are recommended. On arrival, complete park registration, meet your authorised park scouts and receive a briefing on the wildlife, safety rules and activities. After lunch and a rest, take a short introductory excursion if conditions permit, looking for birds, primates and other wildlife. Overnight: Chebera Churchura National Park or nearby accommodation.
Day 4
Chebera Churchura – Full Day of Wildlife & Nature
Start early with a guided excursion with authorised park scouts through forest, grassland and woodland in search of African elephants, one of the park’s most important attractions. Depending on the season and animal movements, you may also see buffaloes, antelope, warthogs, baboons and many bird species, while learning about wildlife behaviour, tracks and conservation; your scouts will choose areas based on recent sightings and access. Return for breakfast and a midday rest. In the afternoon, continue with a game drive, a guided nature walk or a visit to the park’s lakes, known for hippos and rich birdlife. Overnight: Chebera Churchura National Park or nearby accommodation.
Day 5
Chebera Churchura – Return to Jimma
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning in the park, with a short wildlife excursion or nature walk if time permits. Then drive back to Jimma through the countryside of southwestern Ethiopia, with views of rural settlements, fields and forests and short stops where the road and schedule allow; the journey can be long and conditions vary. Check into your hotel in Jimma for a relaxing evening. Overnight: Jimma.
Day 6
Fly Jimma – Addis Ababa – Cultural Dinner – Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Jimma Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. On arrival at Bole Airport, transfer to your hotel to relax, depending on your international flight schedule. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian cultural dinner with live music and dance at a local cultural restaurant, celebrating the end of your journey, before your transfer to Bole International Airport for your departure flight.
What Is Included
- Meet-and-assist at Bole International Airport and all transfers
- Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
- Private 4x4 vehicle with an experienced driver
- Licensed English-speaking guide (other languages on request)
- 5 nights of accommodation: Hotels & Park Accommodation
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Authorised park scouts and park entrance fees
- Visit to the Bebeka coffee plantation
- Farewell dinner with traditional music and dance
- Entrance fees to all sites and churches in the itinerary
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Before You Book
Questions about this journey
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Guest reviews
What our guests say
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor and Google, and 4.9 on SafariBookings.
“My tour operator was very communicative even before the trip began and very responsive on WhatsApp. He booked all my domestic flights and arranged all my airport pick-ups and drop-offs. He had professional guides in all the regions I visited, the itinerary was clear, and he was flexible with any changes. There were no extra costs. He is reliable, communicative and well experienced. I will be back with the same company.”
Sarah · Kenya · August 2026
Read more reviews on SafariBookings“Excellent services provided by Maereg and his team. The local guides and the drivers – Geta (my fave) – were all great. They were patient, professional, knowledgeable and took great care of us. Everything was seamlessly coordinated and they were always on time for pickups and made sure we were briefed in advance of the itinerary and any changes. One of my top travel destinations in Africa, with some of the kindest and warmest people. Maereg went above and beyond! First-class service, always with a smile!”
D Thomas · Google review · May 2026
Read more reviews on GoogleEnquire
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Runs October to April · Private or group · A quote made for your journey
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