Gisakura Tea Plantation Around Nyungwe National Park

Perched on the edge of the vast Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda, the Gisakura Tea Plantation is one of the country’s most scenic and culturally rich agricultural landscapes. With its emerald-green terraces rolling gently across the hills, this plantation offers travelers a peaceful and authentic glimpse into Rwanda’s rural charm. Whether you’re coming for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe, the canopy walk, or simply exploring Rwanda’s southern highlands, a stop at Gisakura provides a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and local craftsmanship.

A Gateway to Nyungwe’s Beauty

The Gisakura Tea Estate sits just outside the western gate of Nyungwe National Park, near the Gisakura Visitor Centre, and forms a lush transition between protected rainforest and human cultivation. The contrast is striking — on one side, the dense, misty forest filled with primates and birds; on the other, neatly trimmed tea fields glistening under the sun.

As one of Rwanda’s most famous tea-growing regions, Gisakura showcases how conservation and agriculture coexist harmoniously. The tea fields not only provide livelihoods for surrounding communities but also serve as a buffer zone that protects Nyungwe’s ecosystem from encroachment.

The Gisakura Tea Experience

Visiting Gisakura is more than a sightseeing stop — it’s an interactive and educational experience. Guided tours take visitors through every step of tea production, from plucking fresh leaves to processing and tasting the final product.

1. Tea Field Walks

Begin your visit with a stroll through the rolling plantations where locals, often wearing colorful attire, skillfully hand-pick the tender top leaves — the “two leaves and a bud” that make premium tea. The rhythmic movement of workers against the vivid green hills is a captivating sight, perfect for photography and quiet reflection.

2. Factory Tour

After the field walk, guests can visit the Gisakura Tea Factory, where freshly picked leaves are weighed, withered, rolled, fermented, and dried. The process is both traditional and precise, combining generations of local knowledge with modern equipment. Guides explain how subtle differences in oxidation and drying affect the flavor and color of the final tea.

3. Tea Tasting

No visit is complete without sampling the finished product. Freshly brewed Gisakura tea is aromatic, smooth, and rich — often enjoyed black or with a touch of milk. The tasting session allows you to appreciate Rwanda’s reputation for producing some of the finest tea in East Africa, celebrated for its purity and delicate flavor.

4. Cultural Interaction

The plantation is surrounded by vibrant local communities whose lives revolve around tea cultivation. Visitors can engage with workers, visit nearby cooperatives, or join community walks that highlight rural Rwandan life. Many locals supplement their income by crafting handmade souvenirs, weaving baskets, or sharing traditional stories and dances — offering travelers genuine cultural encounters.

Scenic and Photographic Appeal

The Gisakura Tea Plantation is a dream for photographers. Early mornings often reveal mist rising from Nyungwe’s forest, blanketing the hills in golden light. The geometric patterns of the tea terraces, interspersed with red earth paths and smiling pickers, create postcard-perfect images that capture Rwanda’s soul.

Nearby lookouts offer panoramic views of the plantation merging into Nyungwe’s dark-green canopy, while the air carries a mix of earthy and floral aromas — a sensory reminder of the harmony between people and land.

Community and Sustainability

Gisakura is not just an agricultural site; it’s a model of sustainable tourism and community empowerment. Many tours are run in partnership with local cooperatives, ensuring that income from tourism supports education, healthcare, and livelihood projects. The estate also works closely with park authorities to promote conservation awareness, helping reduce pressure on Nyungwe’s resources.

By visiting Gisakura, travelers directly contribute to both wildlife protection and community well-being, making it a meaningful addition to any Rwanda itinerary.

Getting There

The Gisakura Tea Plantation is located approximately 5 kilometers from Nyungwe National Park’s western entrance and about 55 kilometers (1.5 hours) from Cyangugu (Rusizi) on the Congo border. From Kigali, it’s roughly a 5–6 hour drive via Huye and Nyamagabe — a journey that winds through stunning mountain scenery.

Luxury travelers can also reach Gisakura via helicopter transfer to the Gisakura Helipad, located near One&Only Nyungwe House, which overlooks the tea fields. The plantation is easily accessible for those staying at nearby lodges such as One&Only Nyungwe House, Gisakura Guesthouse, or Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.

Best Time to Visit

Gisakura is open to visitors year-round, but the dry seasons — from June to September and December to February — provide the clearest skies and most comfortable conditions for walking tours and photography. During the rainy months, the landscape is even greener and more vibrant, and the mist adds a mystical touch to the experience.

Combine with Nyungwe Adventures

A visit to the Gisakura Tea Plantation pairs perfectly with other Nyungwe attractions, such as:

• Chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudongo Forest

• The Nyungwe Canopy Walk, offering a thrilling view over the rainforest

• Bird watching for Albertine Rift endemics

• Nature walks and waterfall hikes within the park

This combination of adventure and serenity makes Nyungwe — and Gisakura — one of Rwanda’s most rewarding eco-destinations.

A Taste of Rwanda’s Green Heart

The Gisakura Tea Plantation embodies the essence of Rwanda’s green highlands — where people and nature thrive side by side. Here, you can trace the journey of a humble leaf from field to cup while surrounded by landscapes so lush they seem almost painted.

More than just a visit, it’s an invitation to slow down, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and experience the quiet rhythm of rural Rwanda — one sip, one smile, and one leaf at a time.