We were delighted to host a client who had wanted to do a coffee and tea tour in the southern part of Rwanda. Early in the morning, we rose up for a 4-hour chimpanzee trek in Cyamundongo forest in Nyungwe. After the chimpanzee trek, we drove right ahead to the Gisakura tea plantations, which are owned by cooperatives under the Rwandan government. Our client, Laurent, was joined by a guide who gave detailed information about the tea process and plantation that he needed to know, though we were distracted by some drizzles which later poured out heavily and had to leave for Butare for yet another coffee tour at Huye Mountain Coffee.
At Huye mountain coffee, we met yet again with our guide who took Laurent through the coffee process from the nursery bed to the main garden and got explanations on how the coffee is harvested. He further showed the two different ways of drying and washing of the coffee, that is, through the machine or naturally through sun drying. After going through this process, we were taken into the grinding room. Once you enter this room, you can feel the aroma of the coffee beans. At the end of the trip and a little walk, we got to the Huye Mountain Coffee office for a taste of what was being explained, with a little coffee bag gift too.