In short: Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory is a tea estate in Birambo, Rwanda, operating at 1,582 metres and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory is a tea estate and processing facility located in the Birambo region of Rwanda, at an elevation of 1,582 metres. The estate is operated by Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory and is known to supply Finlays, a major global tea trader.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,582 metres above sea level and positioned less than two degrees south of the equator, this estate occupies a mid- to high-altitude site in Rwanda's tea-growing belt. Estates at this elevation in equatorial East Africa typically experience relatively stable temperatures year-round, with warm days and cool nights that can slow leaf maturation and encourage the accumulation of flavour compounds. The altitude tends to moderate the intensity of solar exposure, whilst the region's volcanic soils—common across much of Rwanda's tea country—generally offer good drainage and mineral content.
Rwanda's climate is characterised by two main rainy seasons, and estates in this latitude range often maintain year-round plucking cycles with peak flushes aligned to these wetter months. The combination of altitude, equatorial light, and typically ample rainfall can support steady vegetative growth, though local microclimates and weather variability mean conditions at any individual site will differ. The cooler nights associated with this elevation often correlate with slower, more even leaf development.
Tea Produced
The estate produces both black and green tea. Black teas from Rwandan estates at this elevation typically yield a bright, brisk cup with moderate body and a clean, sometimes slightly floral character; the mid-altitude profile often avoids the heavier astringency of lower-grown leaf whilst retaining good colour and strength. Green teas processed from leaf grown in these conditions tend to show a fresh, vegetal quality with a smooth mouthfeel, though the precise character will depend on plucking standard and manufacturing technique. Rwandan teas in general are recognised for their consistency and clarity, qualities that have underpinned the country's growing presence in international blending markets.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with operations spanning cultivation, processing, blending and distribution. Finlays sources leaf from numerous origins worldwide and supplies multinational tea brands and retail customers; this relationship suggests that output from the estate enters established commercial supply chains serving volume markets. The connection to a buyer of Finlays' scale indicates that the estate meets the quality and consistency standards required for international blending programmes, and that its production is oriented towards export rather than domestic consumption.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory lies at -1.9403, 29.8739 in Birambo, Rwanda. Its 1582 m elevation is the joint 14th highest of 18 estates we map in Rwanda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Mata — under 1 km away · Mata
- RUKERI ORGANIC — 21 km away · B.P Kigali
- Rwanda Mountain Tea — 24 km away · KG 438 St
- Nyabihu Tea Estate — 29 km away · NR16
- Sorwathe Tea Estate — 32 km away · Kimihurura
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory (1,582 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory recorded 1,190 mm in 2025, 42% less than the 2,045 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TINDERET | Songhor, Kenya | 1,577 m | 1,545 mm | 25.9 °C |
| Thurbo Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,590 m | 2,552 mm | 19.5 °C |
| Letchmi | Kerala, India | 1,593 m | 3,791 mm | 21.6 °C |
| Mudete Tea Factory | Gisambai - Mudete Rd, Kenya | 1,603 m | 1,708 mm | 25.7 °C |
| KIBENA | Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,560 m | 628 mm | 25.4 °C |
Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory Compared with Rwanda
In Rwanda, Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory is drier than 71% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 82% of the others by elevation; warmer than 82% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory against the 17 other estates we map in Rwanda, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,582 m | 1,964 m | 1,413 to 2,379 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,190 mm | 1,213 mm | 1,053 to 2,889 mm |
| Mean daily high | 24.5 °C | 22.0 °C | 18.1 to 26.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.0 °C | 12.6 °C | 9.6 to 15.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,190 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (208 mm) and the driest was July (10 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.5 °C and overnight lows 14.0 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and May the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,190 mm |
| Wettest month | April (208 mm) |
| Driest month | July (10 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 24.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory located?
Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory is in Birambo, Rwanda, at coordinates -1.9403, 29.8739, at an elevation of about 1582 metres.
Who operates Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory?
Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory is operated by Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory produce?
Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,190 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (208 mm).
How does Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory recorded 1,190 mm in 2025, 42% less rain than the 2,045 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
