+251-925963212COFFEE TOUR
Journey through the Origins of Ethiopian Coffee
Explore the history of coffee in the place where it all started. Visit the vast coffee forests, learn about local farming and advance your tastes by trying new coffee flavors.
Discover the wonderful culture of Ethiopia whilst following the amazing ‘crop to cup’ journey of Ethiopian coffee from the wild forests of Bonga to their Islington coffee shop ‘Ground Control’.
Coffee originates from Ethiopia. The word ‘coffee’ comes from the word ‘Kafa’; the green jungle region in the southwest of the country. Walking through beautiful jungle with Colobus Monkeys swinging overhead, we will experience the beauty of its diverse flora, fauna, wildlife and local people; visiting the coffee plantations and villagers who work there, learning everything about the processes that allow the beans to be exported to the international market.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa
With many group members arriving in the morning, you will have a rest until lunchtime.
Depending on the caliber, you may wish to explore independently – do contact us for advice on how best to spend your time.
Day 2: Addis Ababa City Tour
Having rested last night, your adventure begins in earnest this morning with a trip out to one local coffee company, we will see the beans being washed and processed for export.
In the evening we will watch traditional musicians and dancers performing different tribal dances in a culture house, and to sample ‘tej’, honey wine, before dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3: Fly to Jimma, travel to Bonga, walk to viewpoint
First thing this morning, we will hop on a short national flight down to the SW city of Jimma, meeting our local guide, and drive with the arranged car. From here we will drive the 2 hours to Bonga in the ‘Kafa Biosphere Reserve’, taking in the truly spectacular views along the way. Our guesthouses are located just outside town, amidst beautifully maintained exotic gardens surrounded by acacia trees and jungle. We couldn’t hope for a better-positioned base from which to explore!
After settling into our rooms, we will enjoy a leg stretch by climbing to the high point above Bonga, where the King of Kafa previously had his palace. It offers us massive views of the lush area that is our playground for the next few days.
Day 4: Tatmara coffee plantation
The local team at Tatmara Coffee Plantation welcome us today, introducing us to our first experience of the famous Ethiopian coffee ceremony. We enjoy an interesting and educational walking tour of the facilities and processes, before returning for a second night at our guesthouse in Bonga.
Day 5: Honey Production, Waterfall & Tea Plantation
Today is about treating our senses – sights, sounds, smells and tastes! We begin the morning with a 2km round trip walk to see the beautiful Barta waterfall. Not to be missed is the very popular visit to a nearby Bee farm. We see the hives, taste the honey, and can buy it directly as souvenirs. This afternoon we drive to Wush Wush Tea plantation, close to Bonga, to see the whole process from leaf picking to drying and creating the finished product.
Day 6: Mankira Wild Coffee Forest & Spice farm
A 40min drive takes us to the start of a beautiful 3hr walk (round trip) through lush and wild forest, to the ‘Mother Tree’ in Mankira Wild Coffee Forest – the oldest wild coffee tree in the region. We return to Bonga for lunch and a fabulous visit to a family-run Spice Farm.
This afternoon we drive (2hrs) from Bonga to Jimma, a major nerve centre for coffee in the Oromia region. We will visit the colourful palace and museum of Abba Jifar (which houses the previous contents of the palace), King of the Gibe Kingdom of Jimma. The largest and most powerful of the five kingdoms of Gibe, it was established around 1830, when silver Maria Theressa Dollars and bars of salt were the main circulation of currency (the palace itself cost 400kgs of gold and 65000 Maria Theresa Dollars!).
Day 7: Fly from Jimma to Addis Ababa
On this day we will visit the Ethnographic Museum to get a feel for Addis as a vibrant capital city, and learning more about the history of Ethiopia before our last group dinner in one of the best restaurants in town.
In the night flight back to Home!