Chebera Churchura: Wildlife & Scenic Views 4 Day Tour

Explore Ethiopia’s untouched wilderness in Chebera Churchura National Park
Explore Ethiopia’s untouched wilderness in Chebera Churchura National Park. Track elephants, spot diverse wildlife, visit crater lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs, and experience the coffee heartland around Jimma. A perfect blend of safari and scenic adventure.

Day 1: Addis Ababa – Jimma – Chebera Churchura

Leave Addis Ababa early and travel through rolling farmlands, lush valleys, and coffee-rich highlands toward Jimma. Stop for lunch and explore the Abba Jifar Palace, once the seat of a powerful Oromo king. Continue your scenic drive south, passing rural villages and landscapes that shift from farmland to dense forest. By late afternoon, arrive at Chebera Churchura National Park, home to vast wilderness and some of Ethiopia’s richest biodiversity. Settle into a lodge near the park, enjoy dinner, and rest under the star-filled night sky before your safari adventure begins.

Overnight: Lodge near Chebera Churchura.


Day 2: Safari Drive & Forest Exploration

Wake to the calls of birds and head into Chebera Churchura for your first wildlife safari. The park is renowned for its large elephant herds, as well as buffalo, antelope, lions, and elusive leopards. Enjoy a game drive across grasslands and riverine woodlands, stopping for a picnic lunch beside the Shoshuma River. In the afternoon, join your guide for a walking safari through bamboo forests alive with monkeys and colorful bird species. As the sun sets, watch the landscape transform into golden hues before returning to your lodge for dinner and a relaxed evening.

Overnight: Lodge near the park.


Day 3: Lakes, Hot Springs & Hidden Waterfalls

Begin with a drive to Lake Barbo and Lake Keribela, where hippos wallow and crocodiles bask along the shores. Continue to the park’s geothermal hot springs, a tranquil natural retreat surrounded by thick forest. After lunch, set out on a guided hike to discover some of Chebera Churchura’s waterfalls, cascading dramatically through untouched greenery—perfect for photos and quiet reflection. In the evening, gather around a campfire to share stories, enjoy the sounds of nature, and experience the peaceful wilderness atmosphere.
Overnight: Lodge or optional camping inside the park.


Day 4: Chebera Churchura – Jimma – Addis Ababa

Enjoy an optional early birdwatching walk or a final short safari before breakfast. Then begin your return journey, retracing the scenic route back through Jimma. Stop at a traditional coffee plantation to see Ethiopia’s most famous export at its source and enjoy a fresh cup. After lunch in Jimma, continue your drive to Addis Ababa, arriving in the evening. Your 4-day safari ends with lasting memories of wild elephants, lush forests, hidden waterfalls, and the vibrant landscapes of Ethiopia’s southwest—a region still largely undiscovered by travelers.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.