Kenya coffee has been grown for over a century now, since 1893 when it was first introduced in Kenya. The total area under coffee is estimated at 160,000 hectares, about one third of which is the plantation sector and the rests under small holder sector with an estimated 700,000 growers.
The total annual production has been fluctuating widely due to climate as well as socio-economic factors. At the moment, production stands at about one million bags per year.
There are two distinct flowerings in each year, shortly after the beginning of the rains in March/April or November. At the moment, production stands at about one million bags per year.
There are two district flowerings in each year, shortly after the beginning of the rains in March/April or November. In most districts the main crop ripens from November to December. The early crop often starts in May-July.
DAY 1: VISIT RUIRU COFFEE RESERCH AND KASARINI COFFEE FARM.
Early morning depart from Karen area for a drive for 2 hours to Ruiru area, visit Coffee research institute and Kenya Coffee college.
The Coffee Research Foundation is the premier research institution and one of the best in the world. It is financed by the growers and undertakes specialized research in all matters pertaining to the production, processing and marketing of coffee.
The Kenya Coffee College, housed within the precincts of the Coffee Research Foundation, offers both local and international training on all aspects of coffee. The highly qualified staff work tirelessly to ensure that information on the best and most modern farming technologies are disseminated to the stakeholders in real time. We will have lunch at Ruiru Town in a local restaurant or picnic lunch, thereafter drive past Kiambu Town and visit Kasarini Coffee farm and learn the picking and processing up to cupping. The coffee grown in this farm is organic. Late afternoon drop off at Spurwing Guest House for dinner and overnight.
DAY 2 MOUNT KENYA AREA NYERI.
Early morning breakfast and thereafter drive to the Mount Kenya area of Nyeri. On the way you will see small scale coffee farms and big farms of pineapple. The drive takes 3 hours and later we will check in at Outspan Hotel. After lunch you will be driven to NYERI HILL FARM.
Nyeri Hill farm is situated about 2 km North West of Nyeri town along the Nyeri-Ihururu road. The farm lies in Nyeri District approximately 170 Km North of the capital Nairobi at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level at the lowest point with the highest point at 2200 metres above sea level.
It neighbours the beautiful snow-capped Mount Kenya in the North East, and to the West lies the scenic Nyeri hill after which the farm is named. To the North West are the Aberdare ridges which are a home to a wide aray of fauna and flora species. The Aberdare Range is home to beautiful holiday destinations e.g the “Tree Tops hotel” which is arguably the most famous property in Africa. It’s here that Queen Elizabeth II learnt about the death of her father King George IV. Other hotels include the Ark and the Aberdare hotels.
Within the farm precincts is the Italian Memorial Church where the remains of Sacrario Puca D’costa heir to the Italian throne and many prisoners of the 2nd world war (1937-1945) rest. Nyeri hill farm is owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri and dates back to early 1890 when Kenya was still a British Colony. The farm is unique due to the fact that it is among the first coffee plantations to be established in Eastern Africa with its first planting in 1914. Additionally its large size is unequalled in the region and its wet mill was constructed way back in 1934. This mill was then used by the Consolata Fathers to process coffee for export to Italy. The mill is functional to date. The farms intended use has all through been for evangelization, to eradicate ignorance, poverty and improve health status of the people.
The total farm size is approximately 1415 Ha (3,500 acres) with about 344 Ha under coffee. The total number of coffee trees on the farm is 374,028 with an average of 1087 trees/ha. The production potential of the farm is 500 tons-600 tons on 344 ha (850 acres) of land. Vast areas of the farm are yet to be utilized and it is possible to expand the current area under coffee to make a total of 500Ha with an additional 156Ha Ruiru 11 variety (resistant to fungal infections of C.B.D and leaf rust). Further areas for expansion are on the higher grounds of the farm which are suitable for further tea growing. Tea bushes currently cover 4Ha and can be increased to 100Ha. An estimated 250Ha is being prepared for re-afforestation to provide firewood for sale to nearby tea factories. Apart from the area covered by other Diocesan institutions, other areas will be reserved to provide pastures to about 400 beef and dairy cattle under the management of the Archdiocese livestock department.
The focus of Nyeri Hill Farm has always been production of high quality coffee while promoting sustainability. Nyeri Hill Farm coffee is top quality coffee from the slopes of the central highlands in the heartland of coffee growing area in Kenya. These coffees are known in Kenya as ‘NYERI’ origins.
The estate is a late crop farm and the coffee grown include
• SL 28 - 72.77%,
• Ruiru 11 - 18.57%
• SL34 - 9.27%
Flowering for the main crop is between March and May with the harvest period between November and January. This crop is sold between March and April.
Flowering for the fly crop is between September and November with the harvest period between May and September. This crop is sold between July and August.
After the afternoon tour of the farm drive back to Outspan Hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: MOUNT KENYA AREA NYERI AND OL PEJETA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION .
After an early breakfast , you will have an option of visiting Nyeri hill Farm for further touring or you can opt to visit Othaya Coffee farmers society at their factory. LAter we will drive for 2 hours to Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservation area and enjoy a game drive on the way to Sweetwater’s Camp for Lunch. After a shot rest go out for an evening game drive with dinner and overnight at Sweetwater’s Camp www.serenahotels.com
DAY 4: OL PEJETA RANCH TO NAIROBI.
Early morning 6.30am game, return for breakfast at 9.00am and thereafter check out the camp and drive to Nairobi to arrive by 2.00pm. Lunch on this day is not included.
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