In short: Rwanda Mountain Tea is a tea estate in the KG 438 St area of Rwanda, operated by Rwanda Mountain Tea S.A.R.L., at an elevation of 1,413 metres and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Rwanda Mountain Tea is a tea estate located in the KG 438 St area of Rwanda, operated by Rwanda Mountain Tea S.A.R.L. Situated at an elevation of 1,413 metres and less than two degrees south of the equator, the estate produces both black and green tea. The operation holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, though no commercial buyers are currently recorded in publicly available supply-chain data.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,413 metres above sea level and positioned close to the equator, Rwanda Mountain Tea occupies a mid-elevation zone where Rwanda's volcanic soils and year-round moderate temperatures typically support steady vegetative growth. Estates at this altitude in the East African highlands generally experience cooler nights than lowland plantations, which tends to slow leaf development and can encourage the accumulation of flavour compounds. Rwanda's equatorial latitude means minimal seasonal variation in day length, so the growing cycle is often shaped more by rainfall patterns than by photoperiod.
The region's climate is characterised by two rainy seasons, which typically provide the moisture necessary for continuous cropping, though soil drainage and cloud cover at this elevation can influence both yield and leaf character. Mid-elevation sites such as this often benefit from morning mists and afternoon sun, conditions that in many East African origins are associated with a balance between briskness and body in the made tea. The volcanic substrate common to much of Rwanda's tea country generally offers good fertility and drainage, both factors that tend to support consistent leaf quality across the year.
Tea Produced
Rwanda Mountain Tea produces both black and green tea. Rwandan black teas from mid-elevation estates are often noted for a bright, clean cup with moderate astringency and a smooth, malty character that sits between the briskness of high-grown East African leaf and the fuller body of lower-altitude production. Green teas from this region typically yield a light, grassy infusion with gentle vegetal notes, though processing style—particularly the degree of steaming or pan-firing—will significantly shape the final cup profile. Estates at this elevation in Rwanda tend to produce leaf that is versatile in the blending room, offering both colour and flavour without the sharp pungency of some higher-altitude origins.
Operator
The estate is operated by Rwanda Mountain Tea S.A.R.L., a company that also operates at least one other tea estate recorded in this directory. This multi-site structure suggests a degree of operational scale and co-ordination, though the precise ownership and corporate lineage of the operating company are not detailed in public records. Multi-estate operators in Rwanda's tea sector often manage both smallholder leaf collection and estate production, though the specific model employed by Rwanda Mountain Tea S.A.R.L. is not confirmed by available data.
Certifications & Ethics
Rwanda Mountain Tea is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership, an industry body that works with tea producers, brands, and retailers to improve social, environmental, and economic conditions in tea-growing regions. ETP certification involves on-site assessments against standards covering labour rights, health and safety, environmental stewardship, and management practices. For buyers, ETP membership signals a commitment to continuous improvement and third-party oversight; for workers, it is intended to ensure that minimum standards on wages, housing, and working conditions are met and monitored. Certification does not guarantee perfection but provides a framework for accountability and dialogue across the supply chain.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Rwanda Mountain Tea lies at -1.9085, 30.0859 in KG 438 St, Rwanda. Its 1413 m elevation is the lowest of 18 estates we map in Rwanda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- RUKERI ORGANIC — 4.8 km away · B.P Kigali
- Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory — 24 km away · Birambo
- Mata — 24 km away · Mata
- Sorwathe Tea Estate — 29 km away · Kimihurura
- Sorwathe S.A.R.L. — 29 km away · Kinihira Sector
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Rwanda Mountain Tea
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Rwanda Mountain Tea (1,413 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Rwanda Mountain Tea recorded 1,053 mm in 2025, 59% less than the 2,548 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MABAYI | Cibitoke, Burundi | 1,413 m | 1,972 mm | 24.5 °C |
| Idalgasshinna Tea Estate | District -Badulla, Sri Lanka | 1,413 m | 2,188 mm | 23.1 °C |
| Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,410 m | 3,746 mm | 21.9 °C |
| Kayonza | Ntungamo, Uganda | 1,416 m | 1,045 mm | 26.7 °C |
| Letchmi Super Tea Estate | Kannan Devan Hills, India | 1,418 m | 3,791 mm | 22.3 °C |
Rwanda Mountain Tea Compared with Rwanda
In Rwanda, Rwanda Mountain Tea is the driest of the 18 estates by 2025 rainfall; the lowest of the 18 estates by elevation; warmer than 94% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Rwanda Mountain Tea against the 17 other estates we map in Rwanda, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Rwanda Mountain Tea | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,413 m | 1,964 m | 1,510 to 2,379 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,053 mm | 1,213 mm | 1,053 to 2,889 mm |
| Mean daily high | 26.3 °C | 22.0 °C | 18.1 to 26.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.2 °C | 12.6 °C | 9.6 to 15.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Rwanda Mountain Tea (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Rwanda Mountain Tea’s coordinates recorded 1,053 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was March (154 mm) and the driest was July (6 mm). Daytime highs averaged 26.3 °C and overnight lows 15.2 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and May the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,053 mm |
| Wettest month | March (154 mm) |
| Driest month | July (6 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 26.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.2 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rwanda Mountain Tea located?
Rwanda Mountain Tea is in KG 438 St, Rwanda, at coordinates -1.9085, 30.0859, at an elevation of about 1413 metres.
Who operates Rwanda Mountain Tea?
Rwanda Mountain Tea is operated by Rwanda Mountain Tea S.A.R.L., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Rwanda Mountain Tea produce?
Rwanda Mountain Tea is recorded as producing black and green tea.
What certifications does Rwanda Mountain Tea hold?
Rwanda Mountain Tea is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Rwanda Mountain Tea receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,053 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in March (154 mm).
How does Rwanda Mountain Tea compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Rwanda Mountain Tea recorded 1,053 mm in 2025, 59% less rain than the 2,548 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].
