FAQ

What can I see in Bonga?

 

Bonga is the gateway to the beautiful Kafa Biosphere Reserve. 

 

Where can I stay in Bonga?

 

Bonga has a variety of hotels, lodges, and guesthouses. The Kafa Development Association Guesthouse and Coffee Land Hotel are good options. Camping is also possible. Please contact us if you need help finding accommodations or campsites.  

 

What should I pack?

 

Aside from your usual packing itinerary, a headlamp or flashlight (for any potential nighttime power outages), power bank (which you should keep fully charged in case of outages), and a pair of flip-flops or sandals for bathroom floors are recommended. 

 

During rainy season (June–September), bring rainboots, a raincoat/poncho, an umbrella, and trekking poles if you plan to hike. Bonga is warm year-round.   

 

For anyone venturing outside Addis Ababa, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking an antimalarial medication (atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine, but not chloroquine, which mosquites in Ethiopia are resistant to), but consult your doctor or travel clinic.

 

Does Bonga have a bank? Can I pay with debit/credit card? 

 

Bonga is primarily cash-based, so you should carry birr (the local currency) with you. You can withdraw cash from any of the banks in town.  

 

How do I get to Bonga from Addis Ababa, and how do I get around Bonga? 

 

From Addis Ababa, you can fly, rent a car and drive, or take a coach bus to Jimma, the city nearest to Bonga. From Jimma, you can take a minibus to Bonga (two-hour drive). Uber doesn’t exist in Ethiopia, but taxis and autorickshaws (bajaj) can easily be hailed down. Cars can also be rented in Bonga. 

 

How safe is Ethiopia/Bonga?

 

Ethiopia’s violent crime rate is low, and Bonga, a small town in the southwest, is considered safe and far from areas in the country known for unrest.   

 

Is malaria a risk in Ethiopia/Bonga?

 

Yes, you can get malaria in Ethiopia, including in Bonga, so taking preventative measures (antimalarials, insect repellent, proper clothing) is important. Some hotels in Bonga provide a mosquito net around the bed, including Coffee Land Hotel, but nets may have holes. Bringing your own net and means to hang it above the bed is a good backup plan. 

 

Where can I go if I get sick or injured? 

 

There are several walk-in clinics and hospitals in Bonga. Antibiotics and tinidazole (to treat amoebic dysentery) are available by prescription from a doctor and can be filled at a pharmacy. Of course, it’s important to be up to date with vaccinations, including for yellow fever, before travelling in western Ethiopia. You may also want to bring your own supply of antibiotics/tinidazole, but consult your doctor or travel clinic beforehand. 

 

Where can I get a SIM card?

 

Ethiotelekom is in the town center, around a one-minute walk from the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia.