Coffee Kingdom · Oromia
Jimma
In the green south-west, 353 kilometres from Addis Ababa, Jimma was once the capital of the strongest of the five Oromo Gibe kingdoms — and its king, Abba Jifar II, grew rich on the coffee that still grows all around the town.
Why We Go
The palace of a coffee-rich Oromo king, in the heartland of wild Arabica.
The Kingdom of Jimma was an Oromo Muslim kingdom that emerged in the eighteenth century, with its capital at Jiren, today part of Jimma town. Under Abba Jifar II it became the strongest of the Gibe kingdoms, and through careful diplomacy it kept a large measure of autonomy even after joining the Ethiopian empire.
His palace, built at the end of the nineteenth century, still stands on its hill above the town — a timber and stone complex with a mosque, reception halls and royal quarters. The museum inside keeps the king's beds, chairs, utensils and manuscripts, and tells the story of a court that grew wealthy on coffee.
Coffee is still the reason to come. Jimma lies in the heart of the country's wild Arabica region, and we spend time on local farms and in the forest with growers before a ceremony at home. For guests who want to go further, the forests of Kafa and Bonga lie beyond, to the south-west.
Highlights
- 01The palace of King Abba Jifar II on the hill at Jiren
- 02The palace museum, with the king's furniture, manuscripts and household objects
- 03Coffee farms and forest in the region where Arabica originates
- 04Jimma's markets, busy with coffee and produce from the surrounding hills
Best combined with a stay of 1 – 2 days, travelling October – May.
Journeys Including Jimma
Routes that pass through here
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Or call us directly on +1909-450-7246