Discover Ethiopian Culture in Czechia: Prague Exhibition & More

An extraordinary exhibition is coming to the Czech Republic. Starting on 25 August 2025, the world-famous fossil “Lucy” – one of the earliest known members of the Australopithecus genus – will be on display at the National Museum in Prague for two months. While exploring Czechia, you can also discover the spirit of Africa – whether at exhibitions, in botanical and zoological gardens, or simply over a cup of Ethiopian coffee.

Roses and Poisonous Spurge in the Botanical Garden in Prague

African vegetation also has its place in Czech botanical collections. In the Botanical Garden of Prague, located near the Prague Zoo – which also features a rich African fauna – and above the renowned Prague vineyards in Troja, you can admire these plants from Ethiopia:

Adenium: commonly known as the desert rose, it stands out for its beautiful red and pink blossoms.
Spurge growing up to 12 metres tall, with poisonous latex.
African Kigelia: the sausage tree with large hanging fruits, which is highly valued in Africa for its healing effects and symbolism. Unripe fruits are used as compresses for wounds and as a gargle for toothaches

RELAX IN THE GARDEN. If you love flowers and rare plants, make sure to take a stroll through the Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Science at Charles University in Prague's Albertov district (within walking distance from the city centre, right next to a tram stop), where you will also see exotic rarities. Entry to the outdoor areas is free, and the greenhouses with parrot aviaries are also worth a visit. An ideal romantic spot – perfect for unwinding.

Ethiopian Animals in Czech Zoos

For instance, Zlín Zoo features a themed Ethiopia exhibition, and Ethiopian coffee is served at the on-site Kefa Bar. Ostrava Zoo, which also boasts a beautiful botanical garden, keeps rare Grevy’s zebras. However, the ultimate “African zoo experience” awaits you at Safari Park Dvůr Králové, which actively participates in conservation programmes directly in Ethiopia.

Safari Park Dvůr Králové is well worth a visit also because it offers night safaris and guests can stay overnight.

The park proudly presents blue-winged geese and Abyssinian sitatungas – some of the most endangered antelopes. You will also see northern giraffes, African wild dogs, and cheetahs. And to complete your Ethiopian experience, you can enjoy coffee made from Ethiopian beans at Safari Coffee. By drinking it, you are also supporting the conservation of the endangered maneless zebras.

Embellished Sandals and Bibles

One of the more surprising places where you can discover a piece of Ethiopia is the Museum and Gallery in Most, a town in North Bohemia. Their collection includes a pair of 19th-century leather sandals originating from Sudan or possibly Ethiopia. They are decorated with copper. An exceptional item can be found in the Small Museum of the Bible in Starý Pelhřimov in the Vysočina Region, where Ethiopian Bibles are displayed in several of the country’s languages..

A Taste of Ethiopia: Roasteries and Cafés

Ethiopian coffee is legendary, and that is why it features on the menu of many top cafés across Czechia. It’s currently on the grinder at Kaava in Prague’s Karlín district, at the Voznice Roastery, which also has a branch in the Czech capital, at Coffee Trail Bar in Brno, or in numerous cafés in Kroměříž – a town that ranks among the key tourist destinations in East Bohemia.