Gisakura Tea Estate which is undeniably striking, is also magnificently beautiful with part of it perched on the western edge of Nyungwe forests and here tourists usually sight troops of Colobus monkeys feeding and playing in this patch of forest, which is rewarding.
In the North of Nyungwe National Park lies a man-made captivating wonder – Gisakura tea estate. The estate is located in the Bushekeri sector, Nyamasheke district in Rwanda the heart of Africa. The tea estate is characterized by beautiful views of the leaves of the tea that provide opportunities for extraordinary adventures.
The panoramic tea estate is a 4 hours and 44 minutes drive away from Kigali City. This makes it so approachable to visitors from all corners of the world.
A brief history of the captivating tea estate.
Tea Growing in Rwanda started way back in 1952 by the Belgians who were using the locals as their farmers in the form of slavery but after their departure, the natives subsequently got interested and took it upon themselves to continue growing it, this time around benefiting from it directly. The fertile volcanic soils in Rwanda in conjunction with the rains favor the growth of tea and it is no surprise that it is one of the country’s big exports today.
Uniqueness and attractions of the picturesque Gisakura tea estate.
The spectacular estate provides panoramic views that are essential for extraordinary photography. The patterns of the gardens of tea provide inclined and solid views that visitors often enjoy taking photographs with them in the background.
Spotting farmers pick up the tea leaves. It is such a nice adventure getting to engage with the farmers as they pick up the tea leaves in their wooden baskets made out of sticks. Visitors often join them in the activity and this boosts their experiences as they interact with the local men and women who produce the appetizing tea.
Explanation of the process of tea plantation up to the time when it’s ready for consumption is yet another unique thing that cannot miss mention about the attractive Gisakura tea estate. Visitors are equipped with information on how the tea from the garden is transformed into a ready product for consumption as they take a close look at almost every step from plantation to the time of harvest.
Activities done at Gisakura tea estate.
Various activities are possible at the tea estate and these include;
Photography and videography.
This is supported in the area due to the artistic views the plantations give which brings out the monochromatic looks in the pictures and videographers often get creative with the concepts of still life art pieces from here.
Bird watching
is yet another activity that is done at the bustling tea estate. The area is attractive, birds such as the handsome Francolin, Abyssinian ground hornbill, great blue turacos, African fin foot and African jacanas are often seen in its vicinity in the wetlands.
Tea leaves picking. Visitors often join the farmers in picking leaves of tea to get to experience what it feels like as they interact with the local people and get to know more about the land and its history.
Community encounters.
Visitors upon reaching this area get to engage with the local indigenous tribe – Banyarwanda who selflessly provide information about their way of life and often entertain visitors which boosts the experiences on their journeys.
Best time to visit the charming Gisakura tea estate.
The breathtaking tea estate can be visited anytime of the year though the summer times are always better, which are the times from June up to September. Visitors should also note that the period from Monday to Saturday is the best time because farmers are in the garden during those times. On Sunday, most farmers tend to be off as they need time to rest and be with their families.