Main Attractions
Birth Place of Coffee
The place where the wild coffee (Coffea arabica) grows with an incredible variety of as many as 5,000 genetic varieties.
Abundant Forests
As many as 224 plant species, including more than 110 woody plant species, have been recorded in Kafa.
Rich Wildlife
Kafa has an extraordinary wealth of wildlife which includes Mammals, Amphibians, Reptiles and around 300 Bird Species.
Wild Coffee
Coffee plants are a part of the delicately balanced forest ecosystem in Kafa and have always been used by the locals.
History
Kafa Kingdom with its capital Bonga. While walking through the forests, visitors can imagine the powerful Kingdom at its peak.
Water & Hot Springs
The region’s water resources result in a large number of wetlands, floodplains, swamps, marshes and peatlands.
How Coffee was discovered in Kafa
“A young herdsman called Kaldi first observed the stimulating properties of wild coffee. When his goats became hyperactive after eating the leaves and berries, Kaldi swallowed some of the berries himself, found that he too became abnormally excited, and ran to a nearby monastery to share his discovery. Initially, the monks did not share the young goatherd’s enthusiasm, but instead chastised him for bringing evil stimulants to their monastery and threw the offending berries into the fire. But then, seduced by the aromatic smell of the roasting berries, the monks decided to give them a try and found that they were unusually alert during their nocturnal prayers. Soon, it became accepted practice throughout Christian Ethiopia to chew coffee beans before lengthy prayer sessions, a custom that still persists today.“
Tours & Destination
Visiting Kafa is a stimulating experience for those seeking a beautiful destination off the beaten tourist path in Ethiopia.
