Jimma & The West
Birthplace of Coffee and Ancient Kingdoms
The Lush Frontier
As the largest town in western Ethiopia, Jimma is the gateway to a land of indigenous forests, tea plantations, and hidden waterfalls. This fertile, hilly region was once the seat of powerful independent kingdoms and remains the spiritual home of the world’s most beloved bean.
Bonga: The Home of Kaffa
Located between Jimma and Mizan Tefari, Bonga was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kaffa. It was here that a young herdsboy named **Kaldi** first noticed his goats dancing after eating red berries—marking the legendary discovery of "Liquid Gold."
Today, the memory of Kaldi is kept alive in every cup of coffee served across Ethiopia and the famous coffee houses of Addis Ababa.
The Legacy of Abba Jiffar
Abba Jiffar’s Palace
Located 8 km north in Jiren, this recently restored palace belonged to the last king of the Kingdom of Jimma (d. 1932). Its unique architecture is a window into a little-known royal era.
Jimma Museum
An essential stop within the modern town to view royal artifacts, traditional weaponry, and ethnographic displays of the western peoples.