Chebera Churchura Adventure

3 Days & 2 Nights Camping Experience

Chebera Churchura Adventure

Trip Dates: August 22–24, 2026

Local Travelers35,000 ETBper person

Expat TravelersUSD 350per person

What to Expect During the Trip

This is a remote, nature-focused safari and camping experience designed for travelers who want to disconnect from city life and explore one of Ethiopia’s most peaceful wilderness areas.

The journey includes a long drive on a rough gravel road, simple camping conditions, forest walks, game drives, waterfalls, campfires, and the opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural environment.

The itinerary is flexible and may be adjusted depending on road conditions, weather, wildlife movement, and the energy of the group.

Elephant landmark at Chebera Churchura — Chebera Churchura

Travel group during a Chebera Churchura safari — Nature-focused group trip

Visitors at Chebera Churchura National Park — Chebera wilderness journey

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Addis Ababa to Jimma and Chebera Churchura National Park

Our adventure begins with a morning flight from Addis Ababa to Jimma.

After arriving in Jimma, we will meet our driver and begin the scenic journey toward Chebera Churchura National Park through Chida. The final section of the journey follows a long gravel road, so travelers should expect a slow and adventurous drive through remote countryside.

We will stop along the way for lunch before continuing toward the park.

Upon arrival, we will complete the park registration, meet our local guide and scout, and set up our campsite.

Depending on our arrival time, we may take a short walk around the campsite, enjoy the surrounding forest, and begin experiencing the peaceful atmosphere of Chebera.

As evening falls, we will enjoy dinner around the campfire and spend our first night camping beneath the stars.

Day 2 - Game Drive, Forest Drive and Waterfall Experience

We will wake up early and enjoy breakfast before beginning our full day of exploration inside Chebera Churchura National Park.

Our morning will begin with a guided game drive, following routes where elephants and other wildlife are commonly observed. We may also encounter buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, hippos, monkeys, and different bird species.

Because the animals move freely in their natural environment, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The experience is about patiently exploring the park and appreciating the landscape, sounds, tracks, and wildlife encounters along the way.

After the morning game drive, we will stop for lunch and take some time to relax.

In the afternoon, we will continue with a guided forest drive toward one of the park’s waterfalls. The drive will take us through green forest scenery, rivers, and peaceful natural surroundings.

Travelers will have time to enjoy the waterfall, take photographs, rest, and appreciate the untouched beauty of the area before returning to the campsite.

In the evening, we will enjoy dinner, gather around the campfire, share stories from the day, and spend our second night surrounded by nature.

Day 3 - Morning Safari, Chebera to Jimma and Addis Ababa

We will begin our final day early with breakfast and a short morning game drive or nature walk.

Morning is one of the best times to explore the park, listen to the birds, look for fresh animal tracks, and enjoy the calm atmosphere before the day becomes warmer.

After the morning activity, we will return to the campsite, pack our bags and camping equipment, and begin our journey back to Jimma.

We will have lunch in Jimma before continuing to Jimma Airport for our return flight to Addis Ababa.

Our three-day Chebera Churchura adventure will end upon arrival in Addis Ababa, leaving us with unforgettable memories of wildlife, waterfalls, forests, campfires, and one of Ethiopia’s most remarkable natural landscapes.

Trip Guidelines

This is a calm, friendly, and nature-focused group trip.
The schedule is flexible and may change depending on wildlife movement, weather, road conditions, and group energy.
The road between Jimma and Chebera includes a long and rough gravel section.
We encourage a patient and go-with-the-flow mindset.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Music should be kept at a low and respectful volume.
Travelers must follow all instructions given by park scouts and guides.
Never approach, feed, disturb, or call wild animals.
Everyone must respect fellow travelers, local communities, wildlife, and nature.
We follow a strict leave-no-trace principle. Everything brought into the park must be taken out.
This is not a luxury trip. Travelers should expect simple and basic camping conditions.
Mobile network and electricity may be limited or unavailable inside the park.
Activities may be changed or cancelled when necessary for safety.

Overall, expect a wild, peaceful, flexible, and unforgettable journey into one of Ethiopia’s most remote natural environments.

What’s Included

Round-trip ground transportation between Jimma and Chebera Churchura National Park.
Two nights of camping accommodation.
Tents and sleeping mattresses.
Meals throughout the three-day experience:
- Day 1: Lunch and dinner
- Day 2: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Day 3: Breakfast and lunch
Bottled water during the trip.
Coffee and tea.
Chebera Churchura National Park entrance fees.
Local guide and armed park scout.
Guided game drives.
Guided forest drive and waterfall visit.
Camping setup and assistance.
Campfire experience.

Not Included

Round-trip domestic flights between Addis Ababa and Jimma.
Alcoholic beverages.
Tips and gratuities.
Personal expenses.
Travel insurance.
Lodge accommodation or room upgrades.
Any service or item not specifically listed under What’s Included.

Place

Chebera Churchura National Park

Deep in the southwest of Ethiopia lies one of the country’s most untouched natural treasures: Chebera Churchura National Park, a wild and beautiful landscape where forests, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, lakes, and wildlife come together.

Description

Unlike Ethiopia’s more famous historical routes, Chebera feels raw, peaceful, and undiscovered. It is a place for travelers who want to experience nature in its purest form, far from crowds, surrounded by green hills, thick forests, open grasslands, and the sounds of the wild.

Chebera Churchura is especially known as one of Ethiopia’s most important elephant habitats. The park is home to African elephants, buffalo, hippos, antelopes, monkeys, warthogs, many bird species, and other wildlife that move freely through the forests and river valleys.

The park covers around 1,250 square kilometers in southwest Ethiopia and is recognized for its rich ecosystems, including woodland, riverine forest, grassland, and mountainous landscapes.

True Wilderness in Southwest Ethiopia

What makes Chebera special is not only the wildlife, but the feeling of true wilderness. Morning mist over the forest, rivers flowing through untouched valleys, birds calling from the trees, and the chance to see elephants in their natural habitat all create a powerful connection with nature.

The park is filled with natural attractions such as waterfalls, hot and cold springs, caves, crater lakes, rivers, and scenic viewpoints. These landscapes make Chebera ideal for guided nature walks, wildlife viewing, photography, birdwatching, camping, and peaceful adventure travel.

Through a journey to Chebera, travelers experience a different side of Ethiopia: not only the Ethiopia of ancient castles, churches, and kingdoms, but the Ethiopia of deep forests, wild animals, hidden waterfalls, and living natural beauty.

Chebera Churchura is not just a national park. It is where Ethiopia’s wilderness, wildlife, rivers, forests, and quiet natural spirit come together in one powerful experience.

Chebera Churchura Wilderness Experience – 3 Days

Addis Ababa – Jimma – Chebera Churchura National Park – Jimma – Addis Ababa.

Wildlife, waterfalls, forests, hot springs, and Ethiopia’s hidden natural beauty.

Day 1 – Flight to Jimma & Scenic Drive to Chebera

Begin your journey with a morning flight from Addis Ababa to Jimma. Upon arrival in Jimma, continue by private car toward Chebera Churchura National Park. The drive is approximately 110 km, passing through rural landscapes, green countryside, villages, and natural scenery.

The road from Jimma to Chebera can be bumpy and adventurous, giving travelers a true off-the-beaten-path experience before reaching one of Ethiopia’s most untouched wilderness areas. After arrival, meet the local guide and enjoy your first introduction to the park.

Experiences: Domestic flight from Addis Ababa to Jimma, scenic 110 km drive from Jimma to Chebera by car, countryside views and rural village landscapes, arrival at Chebera Churchura National Park, local park guide meeting, short nature walk, sunset views, and peaceful wilderness atmosphere.

Overnight: Lodge, guesthouse, or campsite near or inside Chebera Churchura National Park.

Day 2 – Wildlife Safari, Forest Walks & Waterfalls

Today is dedicated to exploring the wild beauty of Chebera Churchura National Park. Start early in the morning for the best chance of wildlife sightings. With a local guide, explore the park’s forests, grasslands, river valleys, and scenic natural areas.

Chebera is known as one of Ethiopia’s important elephant habitats and is also home to buffalo, hippos, antelopes, monkeys, warthogs, many bird species, and other wildlife.

Experiences: Early morning wildlife viewing, guided safari drive or nature walk, search for African elephants and buffalo, birdwatching, forest trails and river valleys, waterfalls inside or around the park, photography stops, and learning about the park’s ecosystem and conservation importance.

Optional: Hot spring visit, camping experience, evening storytelling around the camp or lodge, and night atmosphere in the wilderness.

Overnight: Lodge, guesthouse, or campsite near or inside Chebera Churchura National Park.

Day 3 – Return Drive to Jimma & Flight Back to Addis Ababa

Enjoy a peaceful final morning in the wilderness before beginning the return journey. After breakfast, drive back from Chebera to Jimma by car, following the same scenic and bumpy route through countryside landscapes and local villages. Upon arrival in Jimma, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Addis Ababa.

Experiences: Final morning nature atmosphere in Chebera, breakfast and departure preparation, return drive from Chebera to Jimma by car, scenic countryside views, flight from Jimma back to Addis Ababa, and the end of the Chebera Churchura wilderness experience.

Included Experiences

Domestic flight assistance: Addis Ababa – Jimma – Addis Ababa
Private car transfer: Jimma – Chebera – Jimma
Guided national park experience
Local park guide support
Wildlife viewing opportunities
Forest and nature walks
Waterfall and scenic landscape visits
Birdwatching experience
Cultural/community interaction
Personalized travel support

Closing Reflection

Chebera Churchura is not a simple destination, it is a true wilderness journey. From the flight to Jimma to the adventurous road into the park, every part of the experience leads travelers deeper into Ethiopia’s hidden natural beauty.