Gisakura Tea Plantation Tour in Nyungwe National Park

Gisakura Tea Plantation Tour in Nyungwe National Park

As you visit Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southern province of Rwanda, the Gisakura tea plantation is another interesting destination to tour. The plantation is perched at the northern part of Nyungwe Forest National Park. Additionally, it is on the perimeters of the Nyungwe Forest National Park and offers impressive views of the park. While in this tea estate, travelers meet the local people who are always operating the estate. The Gisakura Tea Plantation is among the most famous tea plantations in Rwanda. This tea estate was introduced in Rwanda in 1952 in Gisakura since the volcanic fertile soils and climate of the area support tea growth.   

If you are planning a safari to Rwanda (Nyungwe National Park), visiting this tea plantation can be an added advantage. In this article, we discuss and provide information that will help you plan a successful safari to the Gisakura Tea plantation in Nyungwe National Park.

How long do tea plantation tours in Gisakura take?

Gisakura tea tours take about 2 to 4 hours of the day if you have enough time in the area. During this time tourists engage in multiple activities which include; planting, harvesting, and making tea for drinking. Imagine spending an hour learning about making tea!

Which activities do tourists do in Gisakura Tea Plantation?

In the Gisaruka tea estate, there are several activities that tourists on their safaris can do. Some of these activities include;

• Harvesting
• Community engagement
• Drying
• Steaming
• Packing

How much is a tour to Gisakura Tea Plantation in Nyungwe National Park?

Gisakura tea plantations are managed by the locals in Rwanda. A day tour costs about $30 per person. On this fee, tourists get an opportunity to participate in the above-mentioned activities done on the plantation. Travelers can also purchase souvenirs as a way of supporting local communities.

Other places to do tea tours in Rwanda

Other than Gisakura Tea Estate, there are several tea estates in Rwanda where travelers can engage in amazing tours. To begin with, one can also visit the Gisoyu Tea Estate in Nyungwe National Park. More so, there are other tea plantations in Rubavu, Kibuye, Cyangungu, Byumba, Butera, Musanze, Rubaya, and many others.

Which activities can be combined with tea tours in Rwanda?  

You do not have to plan a tour to Gisakura Tea Plantation only, it can rather be combined with other safari activities. This is killing two birds with one stone, isn’t it? Below is a list of some of the activities that can be done alongside Gisakura tea plantation tours in Rwanda;

Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is another interesting activity that travelers on their safaris to Rwanda engage in the Nyungwe Forest National Park. This activity enables tourists to see several chimpanzees in forests.  In this park, there are about 3 groups of chimpanzees that travelers encounter. These families include; Cyamudongo, Gisovu, and Uwinka.

To see these chimpanzees, travelers must have acquired a chimpanzee trekking permit. This is an official document that allows travelers to see the chimpanzees. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest National Park costs 150 USD for foreign nonresidents, 75 USD for foreign residents, and 25 USD for East African residents.

Please note that you must also pay park entrance fees in addition to the chimpanzee permit. The park entrance fees to Nyungwe National Park are as follows; 100 USD for foreign nonresidents, 60 USD for foreign residents, and the rest for African residents, and East African residents.

There are over 64 chimpanzee trekking permits available each day. This is why it is advisable to book your permit ahead of time to avoid last-minute inconveniences.

Canopy Walk

Canopy walking is another interesting activity that travelers can combine with tea tours in Rwanda. The activity is carried out on a suspended bridge or walkway above the ground. There is no better vantage point for seeing birds and primates than the canopy in Nyungwe National Park. More so, nature walks in Nyungwe National Park are done on several trails including the Igishigishigi Trail, Imbaraga Trail, Rukuzi Trail, Source of the Nile Trail, Umuyove Trail, and many others.

Please note that one should be 6 years and above to do a canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park. A canopy walk experience in Nyungwe National Park costs 60 USD per person.

Birding

Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the best birding spots in Rwanda. In this park, there are about 310 bird species that travelers can encounter on their safaris. These bird species include the endemic species, Rift Valley species, and endangered species. Some of these bird species encountered in this park include the forest hornbill, paradise flycatcher, green pigeons, Rwenzori Turaco, faced woodland weber, regal sunbird, and many others.

Colobus monkey trekking

Colobus monkey trekking is another primate activity that travelers on their safaris usually encounter. These monkeys are among the 13 primates that travelers live in Nyungwe Forest National Park. There are about 2 habituated groups of the colobus monkeys and some of these include Uwinka and Gisaruka. Tracking of these monkeys usually starts in the morning at 0800 hours, 1000 hours 1300 hours, and 15 hours.

Accommodation near Gisakura Tea Plantation

Nyungwe National Park has several accommodation facilities that you can choose from. Some of these include; Nyungwe Top Hill Lodge, One &only Nyungwe, Nyungwe Eco-lodge, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge, INZU Lodge, and many others.