2025 Exciting Rwanda coffee plantation tours 

If you’re planning a journey to Rwanda, the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” you’re already in for an unforgettable experience filled with breathtaking landscapes, vibrant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.

While Rwanda is renowned for its gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and safaris in Akagera National Park, there’s an equally captivating way to deepen your adventure: coffee plantation tours with Maranatha Tours and Travel.

These tours offer an immersive dive into Rwanda’s world-famous coffee industry, blending perfectly with your wildlife explorations to create a holistic and enriching travel experience.

Let me guide you through what makes these coffee plantation tours special, how they complement your wildlife adventures, and how Maranatha Tours and Travel crafts a seamless, memorable journey.

Why Rwanda Coffee Plantation Tours?

Rwanda’s coffee is celebrated globally for its exceptional quality, particularly its Arabica Bourbon varietals, which boast a silky, creamy body with delicate notes of lemon, orange blossom, caramel, and sometimes chocolate or berry.

Introduced by German missionaries in the early 1900s, coffee has become one of Rwanda’s most significant cash crops, supporting over 450,000 small-scale farmers and contributing to the nation’s economic and cultural fabric.

The country’s high-altitude regions, fertile volcanic soils, and temperate climate create ideal conditions for producing coffee that has earned accolades like the Cup of Excellence.

A coffee plantation tour is not just about sipping a delicious brew—it’s a journey into Rwanda’s history, community, and sustainable practices, offering a sensory and educational experience that perfectly complements the thrill of wildlife adventures.

Maranatha Tours and Travel, a trusted Rwandan tour operator, specializes in curating authentic, immersive experiences that showcase the heart of Rwanda. Their coffee plantation tours are designed to engage you with local farmers, cooperatives, and the intricate “crop-to-cup” process, all while set against the stunning backdrop of Rwanda’s rolling hills and shimmering lakes.

By combining these tours with your wildlife itinerary, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Rwanda’s natural and cultural treasures, creating a well-rounded adventure that tantalizes both your sense of adventure and your taste buds.

What to Expect on a Maranatha Rwanda Coffee Plantation Tour

Maranatha Tours and Travel offers tailored coffee plantation experiences, primarily centered around the scenic Lake Kivu region in Western Rwanda, a hub for some of the country’s finest coffee production. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:

1. A Journey from Crop to Cup

Your coffee tour begins with a scenic journey, often starting with a boat ride across the sparkling waters of Lake Kivu from Gisenyi (now Rubavu) to destinations like Nyamirundi Island or the Kinunu Washing Station.

As you glide across the lake, you’ll be treated to views of lush hills, the distant Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a variety of birdlife.

This sets the stage for an adventure that’s as much about the journey as the destination.

Once at the plantation, you’ll dive into the full coffee production process, guided by local farmers from cooperatives like Ingoboka or COOPROCAKI.

You’ll start at the nursery, learning how coffee trees are raised from local beans into seedlings. Depending on the season (with the harvest period between February and May being the most vibrant), you may participate in picking ripe, cranberry-red coffee cherries, guided by farmers who expertly distinguish between fully ripened and unripe beans.

The tour continues to the washing station, where you’ll witness the meticulous steps of pulping, fermenting, washing, and sun-drying the beans.

The process is largely done by hand, reflecting the care and tradition embedded in Rwandan coffee production.

The highlight of the tour is the roasting and tasting session. You’ll roast green coffee beans over an open fire, pound them using a traditional wooden mortar, and brew a fresh cup of Rwandan coffee.

The aroma and flavors—citrusy, floral, or caramel-sweet—will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the craft. Many tours conclude with the opportunity to purchase freshly roasted coffee or artisanal crafts, directly supporting the local community.

2. Cultural Immersion and Community Connection

Maranatha’s tours emphasize authentic connections with Rwandan coffee farmers, many of whom are part of women-led cooperatives.

You’ll hear stories of resilience, dedication, and the economic impact of coffee on rural communities. For example, the Ingoboka Cooperative on Nyamirundi Island supports over 2,000 members, providing sustainable livelihoods and fostering community development.

Sharing a meal with a host family or participating in a traditional coffee ceremony offers a glimpse into Rwandan hospitality and culture, enriching your understanding of the country beyond its wildlife.

3. Stunning Natural Settings

The coffee plantations, particularly those around Lake Kivu, are set amidst Rwanda’s iconic rolling hills, offering breathtaking vistas that complement the wildlife landscapes you’ll explore.

The cool climate, volcanic soils, and lush greenery create a serene backdrop, making these tours a visual and sensory delight. Whether you’re biking along the Congo Nile Trail to reach a washing station or staying at a coffee lodge like Kinunu Guest House, the natural beauty enhances the experience, blending seamlessly with Rwanda’s wildlife allure.

Spicing Up Your Rwanda Wildlife Adventure

Integrating a coffee plantation tour with your wildlife adventure creates a dynamic itinerary that balances adrenaline-pumping experiences with cultural and sensory delights. Here’s how Maranatha Tours and Travel can help you spice up your Rwanda trip:

1. Combine with Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is a bucket-list experience, offering an intimate encounter with mountain gorillas in their misty forest habitat.

After the exhilaration of tracking these gentle giants, a coffee plantation tour provides a calming counterpoint.

Maranatha can craft an itinerary that pairs a morning trek in the park, located in the northwest near Musanze, with an afternoon coffee tour in the nearby Lake Kivu region. For example, after trekking, you could head to Gisenyi for a boat ride to Nyamirundi Island, where the Ingoboka Cooperative awaits.

This blend of wildlife and coffee experiences allows you to engage with Rwanda’s natural and cultural heritage in a single day.

2. Enhance Your Akagera National Park Safari

Akagera National Park, in eastern Rwanda, offers classic savanna safaris with opportunities to spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). To add depth to your safari, Maranatha can arrange a coffee tour en route to or from Kigali, the capital city.

For instance, a half-day tour at Question Coffee in Gishushu, Kigali, offers an urban coffee experience, focusing on the history and tasting of Rwandan coffee. Alternatively, a full-day tour to a cooperative like COOPROCAKI in the Kivu Belt can be scheduled as a scenic detour, allowing you to explore the western region’s coffee culture before or after your safari.

This combination juxtaposes the wild savanna with the tranquil plantations, creating a diverse adventure.

3. Incorporate Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park, known for chimpanzee tracking and canopy walks, is another wildlife gem in Rwanda. Maranatha can enhance your visit with a tour to the nearby Gisakura Tea Estate, which, while focused on tea, can be paired with a coffee tour for a comprehensive agricultural experience.

The lush, green hills of Nyungwe complement the coffee plantations’ scenery, and the cultural engagement with local farmers adds a layer of depth to your primate-focused adventure.

You could spend a morning tracking chimpanzees, followed by an afternoon exploring coffee or tea production, creating a day filled with both wildlife and cultural immersion.

4. Add Urban and Historical Elements in Kigali

Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, is often the starting point for wildlife adventures. Maranatha can include a coffee tour at Question Coffee or a visit to the KZ Noir washing station, paired with cultural stops like the Kigali Genocide Memorial or Kimironko Market. These urban experiences provide context to Rwanda’s modern history and bustling community life, enriching your understanding of the country before heading to the wilds of Akagera or Volcanoes.

A coffee tasting session in Kigali, followed by a wildlife trek, creates a perfect blend of urban sophistication and natural wonder.

5. Stay at a Coffee Lodge

For a truly immersive experience, Maranatha can arrange stays at coffee lodges or guesthouses like Kinunu Guest House, located near Lake Kivu’s coffee plantations.

These accommodations offer a tranquil retreat where you can participate in coffee-related activities, enjoy farm-fresh meals, and relax amidst stunning views.

Pairing a lodge stay with a gorilla trek or safari adds a unique dimension to your trip, allowing you to unwind in a rural setting after the excitement of wildlife encounters.

Why Choose Maranatha Tours and Travel?

Maranatha Tours and Travel stands out for its commitment to authentic, community-focused experiences. Their guides are knowledgeable, passionate, and often locals who share personal insights into Rwanda’s coffee culture and wildlife.

They handle all logistics, from booking coffee tours (as plantations typically don’t coordinate directly with tourists) to arranging transportation, ensuring a seamless experience.

Maranatha’s flexibility allows for customized itineraries, whether you’re short on time or planning an extended stay. Their emphasis on sustainable tourism means your visit supports local farmers and cooperatives, contributing to Rwanda’s development.

Practical Tips for Your Coffee and Wildlife Adventure

Best Time to Visit: The coffee harvest season (February to May) is ideal for hands-on participation, as you’ll see ripe cherries and active processing.

However, educational tours are available year-round. For wildlife, the dry seasons (June to September and December to February) are best for gorilla trekking and safaris, though coffee tours can be combined in any season.

What to Bring: Comfortable outdoor shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and cash (Rwandan Francs) for purchasing coffee or crafts. A camera is a must for capturing the scenic plantations and wildlife.

Booking: Contact Maranatha Tours and Travel directly to customize your itinerary. We’ll coordinate you with cooperatives like Ingoboka or COOPROCAKI and ensure your coffee tour aligns with your wildlife plans.

Duration: Coffee tours range from half-day experiences in Kigali to full-day adventures in the Kivu Belt, lasting 4-5 hours. Maranatha can adjust based on your schedule.