KABAMBE

Kabambe is a tea estate situated in the Iringa region of Tanzania, at an altitude of 1,618 metres. The estate is operated by Unilever Tea Tanzania, one of the country's significant tea producers. Kabambe is recorded as supplying Morrisons, the British supermarket chain, indicating its integration into international retail supply chains.

Terroir & Climate

At 1,618 metres above sea level, Kabambe occupies a mid-to-high elevation zone in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, where the altitude typically moderates daytime temperatures and extends the growing cycle. Estates at this elevation in East Africa often benefit from diurnal temperature variation, which tends to slow leaf maturation and can contribute to the development of more complex biochemical profiles in the flush. The Iringa region's climate is generally characterised by distinct wet and dry seasons, with the altitude helping to maintain moisture levels during the growing period.

The latitude, approximately eight degrees south of the equator, places Kabambe in a tropical highland environment where year-round production is often feasible, though seasonal variation in rainfall typically influences flush quality and volume. Cooler nights at this elevation generally favour slower, more even growth, which can support the accumulation of desirable compounds in the leaf. Soil types in the Southern Highlands are commonly well-drained and acidic, conditions that tea plants tend to tolerate well, though specific soil composition at Kabambe has not been publicly documented.

Tea Produced

Kabambe produces both black and green tea. Black teas from estates in the Iringa region at this elevation typically yield a brisk, clean cup with moderate body and a straightforward character suited to blending and everyday consumption. The processing of green tea in Tanzania remains less common than black, but estates at similar altitudes often produce styles with a mild, approachable profile. The mid-altitude environment generally supports steady growth, which tends to produce consistent quality suitable for volume markets rather than highly differentiated artisan production.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Kabambe's recorded supply relationship with Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket retailers, positions the estate within a high-volume, quality-assured supply chain. Morrisons sources tea for both branded and own-label products, and estates supplying the retailer are typically required to meet specific standards for consistency, traceability, and food safety. The relationship suggests that Kabambe's output is directed toward mainstream retail markets where reliability and competitive pricing are key commercial drivers.

• Recorded supplier to  Morrisons

Operator

Unilever Tea Tanzania is the operating company behind Kabambe, part of the broader Unilever group, one of the world's largest tea businesses. Unilever operates estates across multiple tea-producing countries, bringing substantial resources, agronomic expertise, and established market access to its plantation holdings. In our directory, Unilever Tea Tanzania operates three other estates in Tanzania, reflecting the company's significant footprint in the country's tea sector and its role as a major exporter of East African tea to international markets.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

KABAMBE lies at -7.7832, 35.6914 in Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of. Its 1618 m elevation is the 4th highest of 6 estates we map in Iringa. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• KIBENA — 1.8 km away
• NJOMBE — 1.8 km away
• KIBWELE — 100 km away
• KILIMA — 100 km away
• LUGODA — 100 km away

Estates at a Similar Altitude to KABAMBE

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match KABAMBE (1,618 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. KABAMBE recorded 628 mm in 2025, 77% less than the 2,710 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
Kayu Aro Tea Estate	Kerinci Regency, Indonesia	1,618 m	3,130 mm	21.1 °C
Seeyok Tea Garden	Mirik, India	1,612 m	2,552 mm	19.4 °C
Dessford Tea Estate	Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka	1,612 m	3,152 mm	21.2 °C
MWAKALELI	Mbeya region, Tanzania United Republic Of	1,611 m	1,944 mm	19.8 °C
Devikulam	Kerala, India	1,626 m	2,773 mm	21.3 °C

KABAMBE Compared with Iringa

In Iringa, KABAMBE is the driest of the 6 estates by 2025 rainfall; lower than 60% of the others by elevation; warmer than 60% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets KABAMBE against the 5 other estates we map in Iringa, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.

Measure	KABAMBE	Region median	Region range
Elevation	1,618 m	1,963 m	1,560 to 1,963 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	628 mm	1,215 mm	628 to 1,215 mm
Mean daily high	25.4 °C	19.4 °C	19.4 to 25.4 °C
Mean overnight low	14.7 °C	11.6 °C	11.6 to 14.8 °C

Observed Climate at KABAMBE (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for KABAMBE’s coordinates recorded 628 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was March (202 mm) and the driest was July (0 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.4 °C and overnight lows 14.7 °C over the year; November was the warmest month and July the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	628 mm
Wettest month	March (202 mm)
Driest month	July (0 mm)
Mean daily high	25.4 °C
Mean overnight low	14.7 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is KABAMBE located?

KABAMBE is in Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of, at coordinates -7.7832, 35.6914, at an elevation of about 1618 metres.

Who operates KABAMBE?

KABAMBE is operated by Unilever Tea Tanzania, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does KABAMBE produce?

KABAMBE is recorded as producing black and green tea.

Which buyers does KABAMBE supply?

Public supplier disclosures record KABAMBE as supplying Morrisons.

How much rain does KABAMBE receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 628 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in March (202 mm).

How does KABAMBE compare with estates at a similar elevation?

KABAMBE recorded 628 mm in 2025, 77% less rain than the 2,710 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].