In short: Muganza - Kivu is a tea estate in Nyaruguru, Rwanda, operated by Karongi Tea Factory Ltd. at an elevation of 2,190 metres and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Muganza - Kivu is a tea estate located in the Nyaruguru district of Rwanda, at an elevation of 2,190 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Karongi Tea Factory Ltd. and holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership. Muganza - Kivu produces both black and green tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,190 metres, Muganza - Kivu occupies a high-altitude site well above the threshold typically associated with premium African tea cultivation. Estates at this elevation in Rwanda's southern highlands generally experience cooler ambient temperatures and a more pronounced diurnal range, conditions that tend to slow vegetative growth and may contribute to a denser accumulation of polyphenols and amino acids in the leaf. The latitude of just over 2°S places the estate in equatorial climatic conditions, where seasonal variation is driven more by rainfall patterns than by temperature, and where year-round growing is often feasible.
Nyaruguru lies within Rwanda's volcanic upland zone, where soils are typically derived from basaltic parent material and tend to offer good drainage and mineral availability. Estates in this region often contend with high rainfall and persistent cloud cover during wet seasons, factors that can moderate solar radiation and influence both flush frequency and leaf morphology. The combination of equatorial latitude, extreme altitude and volcanic terroir is characteristic of Rwanda's high-grown tea zones, which have gained recognition in recent decades for producing teas with distinctive character.
Tea Produced
Muganza - Kivu produces both black and green tea. Rwandan teas from high-altitude estates such as this typically yield a cup with bright acidity, a clean profile and, in the case of black tea, a tendency toward floral or citrus notes rather than the heavier maltiness common at lower elevations. Green teas from similar terroir often exhibit vegetal sweetness and a crisp, refreshing astringency. The slow-grown leaf from estates above 2,000 metres generally supports a more complex flavour development, though precise cup character will vary with processing and seasonal conditions.
Operator
The estate is operated by Karongi Tea Factory Ltd., a company based in Rwanda. No other estates operated by Karongi Tea Factory Ltd. are currently recorded in our directory.
Certifications & Ethics
Muganza - Kivu holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, an industry body that works to improve social, environmental and economic conditions on tea estates. Certification requires adherence to standards covering labour rights, health and safety, environmental stewardship and community engagement, and entails regular third-party audits. For buyers, the certification offers assurance that the estate is subject to monitoring against defined benchmarks; for workers, it is intended to support better working conditions and grievance mechanisms.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Muganza - Kivu lies at -2.6158, 29.4687 in Nyaruguru, Rwanda. Its 2190 m elevation is the highest of 19 estates we map in Rwanda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Gisovu Tea Factory — 33 km away · Gisovu
- RWEGURA — 39 km away · Kayanza
- Cyato Tea Plantation — 44 km away · Colline Mpage
- Gisakura Tea Estate — 51 km away · West
- Shagasha Tea Factory — 58 km away · Gisuma
Observed Climate at Muganza - Kivu (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Muganza - Kivu’s coordinates recorded 1,193 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was March (208 mm) and the driest was July (20 mm). Daytime highs averaged 19.8 °C and overnight lows 11.3 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and May the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,193 mm |
| Wettest month | March (208 mm) |
| Driest month | July (20 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 19.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Muganza - Kivu located?
Muganza - Kivu is in Nyaruguru, Rwanda, at coordinates -2.6158, 29.4687, at an elevation of about 2190 metres.
Who operates Muganza - Kivu?
Muganza - Kivu is operated by Karongi Tea Factory Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Muganza - Kivu produce?
Muganza - Kivu is recorded as producing black and green tea.
What certifications does Muganza - Kivu hold?
Muganza - Kivu is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Muganza - Kivu receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,193 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in March (208 mm).
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].
