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The origin of Coffee Arabica and its first cultivation is associated with Kaffa region of south western Ethiopia.  Wild coffee is believed to have been first observed and discovered by a young herdsman called kaldi between the 3rd and 10th centuries in Kaffa region. Later it was discovered that Coffee and the   roasted berries could be ground to powder to produce a tasty stimulating and energizing hot drink. The drink of coffee most probably remained an Ethiopian secret until the 16th Century when it was already traded along the Indian Ocean spice route and cultivated in Yemen and other Hilly parts of Arabia.

South western Ethiopia is one of the best coffee growing areas of Ethiopia accounting for upto 70% of Ethiopia’s annual foreign revenue. Some of the best places to explore coffee plantation is Kaffa, Sidamo and Harar regions of the country. Coffee farms, including wild coffee can best be explored from Mizan Tafari by driving to the small town of Tepi.

Or Bebeka coffee farms. Bebeka and Tepi coffee farms extend over 6500 and 6000 ha respectively. The regions indigenous forest and the most lush land escape are the other attractions of this region. It also offers good opportunity to spot many forest birds in the farms and forests of this area. For bird and nature enthusiasts tours can be arranged also to Bonga Forest reserve lying to the south west of Jimma in what is today the Kaffa sheka Zone. This reserve extends over some 500km2 of the surrounding hill side. It is among the last remaining sub tropical moist forests of any significant size to be found in Ethiopia. Relatively unexplored by outsiders and managed by community based committees the reserve is inhabited by a large number of monkey and various species of fauna.

The 1240 hectare wushwush Tea plantation lying to 94 km from Mizan Tafari is the other attraction of this area. A tour of this farm, the coffee farms and forest reserves can be arranged through Touch Ethiopia Tours any time through out the year.