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.

Jimma

In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Jimma where you'll stay overnight

You'll spend the morning exploring Jimma, including a visit to the Jimma Museum.

Aba Jifar 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.

Mizan Teferi

Overnight in a hotel in Mizan Tefari.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Addis Ababa

From Jimma, you will make the return journey to Addis Ababa, arriving in the late afternoon.