In short: Gisakura Tea Estate is a black and green tea producer in Rwanda's West region at 1,953 metres, operated by Gisakura Tea Company Ltd. and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Gisakura Tea Estate is a tea producer located in the West region of Rwanda, at an altitude of 1,953 metres. The estate is operated by Gisakura Tea Company Ltd. and manufactures both black and green tea. It holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,953 metres above sea level, Gisakura sits within the high-altitude band that characterises much of Rwanda's tea sector. Estates at this elevation typically experience cooler temperatures and more pronounced diurnal variation than lower-lying sites, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and can contribute to a more measured accumulation of flavour compounds. The West region's equatorial latitude means year-round growing conditions are generally possible, though rainfall patterns and temperature fluctuations will influence flush timing and intensity.
High-altitude sites of this kind often benefit from well-distributed moisture and mist cover, factors that can support steady vegetative growth. The cooler night temperatures common at nearly 2,000 metres may help preserve volatile aromatics in the leaf, while the intensity of ultraviolet exposure at altitude is sometimes associated with higher polyphenol development. These environmental factors, typical of Rwanda's elevated tea zones, tend to favour teas with brightness and structured character, though outcomes will always depend on cultivar, agronomy, and manufacturing precision.
Tea Produced
Gisakura produces both black and green tea. Rwandan black teas from high-altitude estates such as this often display a bright, brisk cup with moderate astringency and a clean finish; some show notes that range from malty to lightly floral, depending on processing choices. Green teas manufactured at altitude in this region can exhibit a fresh, vegetal character with a smooth body, though the precise profile will depend on withering, fixation, and rolling protocols. Estates working at 1,953 metres generally have the raw material to achieve well-defined flavour and good colour in both categories, provided post-harvest handling is prompt and controlled.
Operator
The estate is operated by Gisakura Tea Company Ltd. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Certifications & Ethics
Gisakura Tea Estate is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that works to improve social, environmental, and economic conditions across tea supply chains. ETP certification requires estates to meet standards covering labour rights, health and safety, environmental stewardship, and management systems. For buyers, the certification offers third-party assurance of baseline compliance in these areas; for workers, it is intended to underpin safer conditions, fairer treatment, and access to grievance mechanisms, though the practical impact of such schemes can vary by site and enforcement context.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Gisakura Tea Estate lies at -2.4554, 29.0865 in West, Rwanda. Its 1953 m elevation is the 10th highest of 18 estates we map in Rwanda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Cyato Tea Plantation — 13 km away · Colline Mpage
- Gisovu Tea Factory — 14 km away · Gisovu
- Shagasha Tea Factory — 14 km away · Gisuma
- MABAYI — 34 km away · Cibitoke
- Muganza - Kivu — 46 km away · Nyaruguru
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Gisakura Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Gisakura Tea Estate (1,953 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Gisakura Tea Estate recorded 2,008 mm in 2025, 25% more than the 1,602 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Tea Factory Ltd (Egtf), Manaret | Bomet, Kenya | 1,950 m | 1,140 mm | 24.2 °C |
| Ikumbi Tea Factory | Kaharati-kangari Rd, Kenya | 1,950 m | 1,398 mm | 21.5 °C |
| Glendale Estate | Coonoor, India | 1,961 m | 1,459 mm | 19.7 °C |
| Concordia Tea Estate | Kandapola, Sri Lanka | 1,962 m | 2,796 mm | 18.9 °C |
| KIBWELE | Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,963 m | 1,215 mm | 19.4 °C |
Gisakura Tea Estate Compared with Rwanda
In Rwanda, Gisakura Tea Estate is wetter than 82% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 53% of the others by elevation; cooler than 71% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Gisakura Tea Estate against the 17 other estates we map in Rwanda, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Gisakura Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,953 m | 1,964 m | 1,413 to 2,379 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,008 mm | 1,199 mm | 1,053 to 2,889 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.1 °C | 22.0 °C | 18.1 to 26.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.4 °C | 12.8 °C | 9.6 to 15.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Gisakura Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Gisakura Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,008 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was December (304 mm) and the driest was July (47 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.1 °C and overnight lows 11.4 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,008 mm |
| Wettest month | December (304 mm) |
| Driest month | July (47 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gisakura Tea Estate located?
Gisakura Tea Estate is in West, Rwanda, at coordinates -2.4554, 29.0865, at an elevation of about 1953 metres.
Who operates Gisakura Tea Estate?
Gisakura Tea Estate is operated by Gisakura Tea Company Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Gisakura Tea Estate produce?
Gisakura Tea Estate is recorded as producing black and green tea.
What certifications does Gisakura Tea Estate hold?
Gisakura Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Gisakura Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,008 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in December (304 mm).
How does Gisakura Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Gisakura Tea Estate recorded 2,008 mm in 2025, 25% more rain than the 1,602 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].