Lake Kivu Coffee Tour: From Crop to Cup

The ‘From crop to cup’ experience combines the stunning scenery of Lake Kivu with an educational excursion where visitors learn about the coffee growing process. Visitors learn in hands-on ways about the entire coffee production chain

Set off on an unforgettable lakeside journey that takes you right into the heart of Rwanda’s coffee-making tradition. Cruising across the calm waters of Lake Kivu, you'll arrive at Nyamirundi Island, home to thriving coffee farms and welcoming local growers.This immersive experience gives you a front-row seat to every stage of coffee production — from the soil to your cup.What to Expect:Scenic Boat Ride: • Begin your tour with a tranquil boat trip offering panoramic views of the lake and surrounding hills. • Explore Coffee Plantations: • Visit small-scale farms run by local cooperatives. Learn how coffee is grown with care, using traditional and eco-friendly methods. • Harvest Your Own Cherries: • Get your hands dirty picking ripe coffee cherries straight from the tree, and see how farmers determine quality at the source. • Behind the Scenes at the Washing Station: • Tour a local washing station where you'll discover over 20 detailed steps — from pulping and fermenting to drying — that transform raw cherries into green coffee beans. • Roast & Brew Your Own Coffee: • Try your hand at roasting beans over a fire, then grind and brew them the Rwandan way. Sip your handcrafted cup with the farmers who made it all possible. • This tour is not just a lesson in coffee — it’s a cultural exchange that supports local livelihoods and deepens your appreciation for every bean. A perfect mix of education, scenery, and taste, this is Rwanda at its most flavorful.

Tour itinerary

1. 1

   Boat ride on Lake Kivu

   Cross the calm water from Gisenyi with views of the lake and surrounding hills.

2. 2

   Coffee farm on Nyamirundi Island

   Visit a family farm belonging to the Ingoboka cooperative, whose 350 members grow coffee on or near the lake shore. Volcanic soil gives the coffee its full body and low acidity.

3. 3

   Pick your own cherries

   Harvest ripe coffee cherries straight from the tree and learn how farmers judge quality at the source.

4. 4

   Gashishi Washing Station

   On the lake shore, see the 20-plus steps from pulping and fermenting to drying. From March to June over 700 people work here day and night.

5. 5

   Roast, grind & brew

   Roast beans over a fire, grind and brew them the Rwandan way, and taste the cooperative’s coffee with the farmers.

Pick-up from Kigali, Gisenyi or Kibuye. Transport to Lake Kivu is arranged separately. Find Kigali stops on the tourist map of Kigali.