In short: Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited (MRUL) Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden is a tea estate in the Fort Portal region of Uganda, at 1,357 metres elevation, and is recorded as supplying Finlays.
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited (MRUL) Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden is a tea estate located in the Fort Portal region of Uganda, at an elevation of 1,357 metres. The estate is operated by Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited and produces both black and green teas. It is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major participant in the global tea supply chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,357 metres elevation and positioned near the equator (latitude 0.6°N), the Kalinzu Garden sits within a climate zone that typically experiences relatively stable temperatures year-round with minimal seasonal variation. Estates at this elevation in Uganda generally benefit from moderate warmth and consistent rainfall patterns influenced by the region's proximity to the Rwenzori mountain range and Lake Victoria, conditions that tend to support steady vegetative growth.
The Fort Portal area is known for its rich volcanic soils and high humidity, factors that often contribute to vigorous tea bushes and a relatively fast plucking cycle. This mid-altitude positioning—neither the high, cool estates of East Africa's peaks nor the warmer lowland gardens—tends to yield leaf with balanced astringency and body, though specific cultivar and processing choices will ultimately define the character of the made tea.
Tea Produced
The estate produces both black and green teas. Black teas from mid-altitude Ugandan gardens such as this often exhibit a robust, malty character with moderate astringency and good colour in the cup, qualities that make them well-suited to blending. Green teas produced in equatorial East African estates tend to be less commonly encountered in export markets but can offer a bright, grassy profile when processed with care. The stable growing conditions at this latitude generally support consistent leaf quality across much of the year.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea company with operations spanning production, blending, and customer supply across multiple continents. Finlays sources from estates in several African tea origins, and the presence of Kalinzu Garden in its supply base suggests the estate's output meets the quality and volume expectations of a buyer serving major retail and food-service brands. This relationship positions the estate within the commercial mainstream of East African black tea supply, where reliability and blending compatibility are key market requirements.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden lies at 0.6093, 30.6401 in Fort Portal, Uganda. Its 1357 m elevation is the 10th highest of 11 estates we map in Fort Portal. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- KIGUMBA — under 1 km away · Kyenjojo
- Nyambya Tea Company Limited — under 1 km away · Western
- Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Kiko Factory, Kibale Garden — 17 km away
- Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden — 20 km away
- KYENJOJO — 23 km away · Mabale
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden (1,357 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden recorded 943 mm in 2025, 70% less than the 3,178 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatton Plantations, Waltrim | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,357 m | 3,681 mm | 22.7 °C |
| Adams View | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 1,355 m | 4,839 mm | 21.5 °C |
| NJERU | Box 241 - Meru, Kenya | 1,354 m | 1,229 mm | 24.9 °C |
| Panniar Tea Estate | Idukki, India | 1,351 m | 2,349 mm | 22.7 °C |
| Vagavurrai | Kerala, India | 1,369 m | 3,791 mm | 22.7 °C |
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden Compared with Fort Portal
In Fort Portal, Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden is the driest of the 11 estates by 2025 rainfall; lower than 90% of the others by elevation; warmer than 90% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden against the 10 other estates we map in Fort Portal, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,357 m | 1,515 m | 1,141 to 1,533 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 943 mm | 1,251 mm | 1,236 to 1,382 mm |
| Mean daily high | 27.4 °C | 24.5 °C | 24.5 to 27.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.8 °C | 16.1 °C | 15.9 to 18.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden’s coordinates recorded 943 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (148 mm) and the driest was January (2 mm). Daytime highs averaged 27.4 °C and overnight lows 16.8 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and November the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 943 mm |
| Wettest month | October (148 mm) |
| Driest month | January (2 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 27.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden located?
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden is in Fort Portal, Uganda, at coordinates 0.6093, 30.6401, at an elevation of about 1357 metres.
Who operates Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden?
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden is operated by Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden produce?
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 943 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (148 mm).
How does Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden recorded 943 mm in 2025, 70% less rain than the 3,178 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].
