Nyungwe Tea Forest
Gisakura is one of Rwanda’s most historic and productive estates, producing around 2.67 million kilograms of made tea each year and employing more than 3,200 people. Its position along the forest edge gives it a crucial conservation role, acting as a buffer zone that helps protect this rare tract of ancient habitat while supporting the communities who depend on it.
Location
Lake Kivu lies just 4km away, and the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo sits barely 20km to the west, underscoring the remoteness of this corner of Central Africa. Despite its seclusion, the lodge is only a little over 200km from Kigali and can be reached by road, domestic flight, or helicopter direct to the helipad.
Accommodation
Dining is relaxed yet sophisticated, with menus shaped by local produce and Rwandan flavours, served in a restaurant looking directly onto the tea fields. Private meals can be arranged on the terrace or in secluded corners of the lodge to make the most of the setting’s tranquillity.
Experiences
- Trek into Nyungwe Forest in search of chimpanzees, following trails that range from short walks to full‑day hikes through ancient montane habitat.
- Watch primates at close quarters, from black‑and‑white colobus on the estate’s edge to grey‑cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys and golden monkeys deeper in the forest.
- Join Gisakura’s community for Umuganda if you’re here on the last Saturday of the month, taking part in Rwanda’s nationwide morning of collective work.
- Explore Gisakura Tea Estate on foot or by bicycle, join a guided tour, and take part in a traditional Rwandan tea ceremony.
- Head out with a specialist guide for birdwatching, searching for Albertine Rift endemics and crossing the forest’s high suspension bridge for elevated views into the canopy.
- Try your hand at archery and spear‑throwing, learning skills rooted in Rwanda’s cultural traditions.
- Unwind with wellness experiences, from yoga sessions to the Forest Awakening ritual with an African mud scrub and full‑body massage surrounded by tea fields and rainforest.
Why We Include Nyungwe in Our Journeys
Most importantly, Nyungwe balances a wider Rwandan journey beautifully, pairing naturally with gorilla trekking for a complete primate‑focused adventure. We love the fact that its position within a working tea estate brings genuine, everyday impact through employment and land‑stewardship practices that strengthen conservation.
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From the Team
“Like the finest tea, Nyungwe is both invigorating and calmingly restorative. Forest air sharpens the senses, while the quiet of the tea fields settles around you with the gentle warmth of a freshly poured brew.”
Why Plan Your Safari with Journeysmiths
Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Great Places to Combine with Nyungwe
Nyungwe works beautifully as part of a wider journey in Central Africa. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.Nyungwe works beautifully as part of a wider journey in Central Africa. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.
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Experience a safari holiday like no other, with a journey across the remarkable landscapes of Rwanda and Tanzania. Be captivated by big game, search for primates in the rainforest, enjoy spectacular birdwatching and see the epic migration of wildebeest and plains game - all in one unforgettable trip you will regale for a lifetime.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.