Bona

Bona is a remote village in the far south of the Sidama Region near the SNNPR border. It is a traditional Sidama agricultural community surrounded by coffee, enset, and maize fields. The area sees very few visitors, offering an authentic glimpse of rural Sidama life.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Hawassa (AWA IATA), 100 km north, with flights from Addis Ababa.

By Car / Road

Bona is south of Bensa on a rough road. Minibuses from Hawassa reach Bona infrequently. A 4WD is helpful in the rainy season.

Walking is the main means of transport within the village and surrounding farms.

• Traditional Sidama homesteads: Rural compounds with thatched houses and coffee-drying beds.

• Coffee and enset farms: The classic Sidama farming landscape covering the surrounding hills.

• Cultural homestay: Stay with a Sidama family to experience village life, farming, and coffee ceremonies.

• Walk through coffee farms: Guided walks to see coffee cultivation, harvesting, and sun-drying.

Home-cooked Sidama meals: kocho, goat or chicken stew, and freshly roasted coffee.

Traditional Sidama coffee ceremony is a must — coffee with butter and salt.

Homestays with local families are the only accommodation.

Coffee and honey directly from local families.

• Bensa — 15 km north, specialty coffee region with washing stations.
• Hawassa — 100 km north, the Sidama regional capital.
• Dilla — 30 km west, a town in the neighbouring SNNPR.