Things to do in Rwanda

Learn the secrets of Rwandan tea

During our one-hour tour and tasting session, we’ll teach you all about how our popular black tea is made from leaf to cup…

By Grace Uwingeneye

Guest Experience Guide at One & Only Nyungwe House

Learn the secrets of tea processing, from leaf to cup, on a guided tour of our on-site plantation. At Nyungwe House, we’re lucky to have our own tea estate, Gisakura, which is owned and run by the local community. During the one-hour tour, we’ll teach you all about how our popular black tea is made; you’ll get to pick the leaves and have a tasting session. You’ll also enjoy views over the lime-green tea fields, stretching to the rainforest and mountains beyond.

As we pick the leaves, I’ll tell you about the history of our tea, which began in 1952 when the bushes were planted in this western region of Rwanda. Our tea is picked every 11 days and pruned once every four years for germination. Thanks to our volcanic soil here and high elevation, we produce an amazing full-bodied black tea that has around seven different grades. While we’re out on the plantation we can take pictures with the tea pickers and chat with them about their experiences.

Afterwards, we head into the tea lounge to explain the production process. Once picked, the leaves are sent to the nearby tea factory where they’re dried, cut and fermented, sorted and packed. You’ll get to taste the different grades of our high-quality tea, which has now become one of Rwanda’s largest exports. Each one has a different flavour to discover and we pair them with snacks like chocolate and scones. As an added extra you can also request to have a private meal in the tea plantation, surrounded by birds and beautiful scenery.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Majestic Rwanda
by Vicki Bramley

Length8 Days

Price range£5,450 - £5,750pp
Itinerary

Ultimate Rwanda
by Vicki Bramley

Length11 Days

Price range£7,495 - £7,950pp

Alfred & Grace Uwingeneye

Grace Uwingeneye was born in Rulindo in Rwanda’s Northern Province and spent her school holidays weaving, selling traditional baskets and working for NGOs. After studying zoology and conservation at university, Grace worked as a primate research assistant in Nyungwe National Park and now curates incredible nature-based experiences for guests staying at Nyungwe House.

Grace Uwingeneye, guest experience guide at One & Only Nyungwe House

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Vicki, who's travelled extensively in Rwanda. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the guides who track mountain gorillas day and night to ensure you get the best sightings, the Kigalians who'll give you a real insight into their vibrant city and the coffee-growers who'll tutor you in the art of tasting.

Vicki Bramley

Sales Manager for Alfred&

Vicki was already well travelled when she joined Kuoni, fast forward 18 years and that experience has grown dramatically. Initially inspired by a two-year backpacking trip around Australia and New Zealand, her wanderlust led her to venture further and further afield. More recent adventures in South Africa, Kenya, Zanzibar, and Rwanda have positioned her perfectly as an Africa expert. Trekking the slopes of a volcano to spend time with gorillas in Rwanda is one of her favourite memories.
Alissa Ruxin

Founder and CEO of Heaven Holdings Ltd

San Franciscan Alissa Ruxin moved to Rwanda on her honeymoon in 2005 and never left. Three years later, inspired by her foodie upbringing, she founded Heaven, a restaurant and hospitality training facility which has helped more than 1,500 Rwandans to date. Over the years, the Heaven portfolio has expanded to include hotels, restaurants, tours and experiences, a journey partly documented in husband Josh’s book, A Thousand Hills to Heaven.
Ian Munyankindi

Tourism and Hospitality Manager at Akagera National Park

Rwandan-born Ian Munyankindi has been with African Parks since 2012. Prior to this, he gained his hospitality expertise in some of Rwanda’s best hotels and worked as a freelance guide. He joined the Akagera team as manager of Ruzizi Tented Lodge and has worked his way up to Tourism and Hospitality Manager. Ian’s passion for wildlife ensures that guests depart with a deep appreciation of the beauty of Akagera National Park – which he jokingly refers to as his wife!
Protais Niyigaba

Nyungwe Park Manager and CEO

Born in one of the districts bordering Nyungwe, Protais Niyigaba grew up with a passion for conservation. Since completing his MSc in Biodiversity Conservation from the University of Rwanda, he has undertaken various roles in his field. He joined Nyungwe Management Company in June 2021 as Park Manager, having previously been a guide and nature interpreter there. A keen birder and botanist, he enjoys working and living in his favourite environment and being paid for doing what he loves.
Micheline Habineza

Director of Operations for Question Coffee

As Question Coffee's Director of Operations, Micheline Habineza oversees, manages and grows multiple areas of the social enterprise, including the Academy, Café, Wholesale, Roasting and Quality Control. She joined the company as a Wholesale Account Coordinator in 2016, before taking on the position of Retail Operations Manager. Prior to that, she spent three-and-a-half years with the international in-flight catering company ASL Rwanda EPZE in Kigali as their customer liaison.
Marie Aimee Umugeni

Managing director of Umutima Cooperative at Nyamirambo Women’s Center

Marie Aimee Umugeni is one of the co-founders of the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre in Kigali, which was set up in 2007 to provide support to local women. It offers literacy and computer classes and teaches tailoring, enabling participants to work at the centre producing items for its Umutima Cooperative, of which Marie Aimee is managing director.