Unique Coffee Tour in Musanze: Ibirunga Coffee Plantation
From bean to cup, and everything in between, you need to check out Ibirunga Coffee Plantation in Musanze. Run by coffee expert Aloys, it’s the ultimate post-adventure activity after finishing up in Volcanoes National Park. I visited with my friends right after completing our Golden Monkey trek! It’s one of my newest suggestions on things to do in Musanze.
The Basics
- Located here
- Perfectly paired with morning Volcanoes National Park activities.
- Book directly via WhatsApp at +250 782 366 043
- Duration: 1–2 hours (customized to your schedule)
- Parking: The plantation is between Kinigi Cottage and Farmhouse Rwanda. Park here.
A Chance Encounter with Aloys
I actually met Aloys completely by chance. We struck up a conversation at the Ellen DeGrasse Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where I learned he was the very first tour guide at Huye Mountain Coffee (one of the most recognized specialty coffee brands in the country).
And, as we kept talking, it turned out we had mutual friends in the local coffee scene! After snapping a quick selfie to send to our mutual friend, Aloys started sharing the story of his own plantation, and I promised to check out Ibirunga Coffee Plantation the next time I was in Musanze.
The Tour Experience
Fast forward a few weeks: I was back in town with my friends Chelsea and Jenny. We had a packed schedule and only an hour to spare, but Aloys met us right after our Golden Monkey trek and guided us to his plantation parking area.
Aloys is a true coffee authority. His nickname is “Mr. Coffee.” He walks you through everything, from how coffee was first discovered globally to its historical introduction in Rwanda and the current state of national exports. Even though I’ve been on plenty of coffee plantation tours, this was hands down the best. Aloys brings a depth of knowledge that answers questions you wouldn’t even think to ask.
We started with the fascinating history of coffee in Musanze, a story tied up in colonial history and a rebellion burning incident. Musanze’s high altitude means coffee trees take three years to yield fruit instead of two, which discourages many local farmers due to the extra time and investment.
Today, Aloys and his sister dedicate themselves to growing coffee on this land.
After our history lesson, we dived into the science of the farm.
Soil Composition & Pest Control
First, we learned how Aloys uses organic methods, like applying wood ash, to manage pests naturally at Ibirunga Coffee Plantation.
Tree Lifecycle
Then, we got an insight into how the trees grow, what yields are expected, and how to spot healthy versus diseased beans.
Harvesting & Processing
Finally, we learned how the cherries are picked and washed (Jenny even kept a few beans to try growing at home!).
All of this happens with the dramatic outline of the Virunga mountains towering in the background. It’s an incredible setting.
Roasting
To end the experience, the beans were traditionally roasted over an open flame, ground, and brewed fresh. It resulted in an exceptionally smooth, flavorful cup of coffee to cap off the afternoon.
Don’t miss a visit to Ibirunga Coffee Plantation next time you find yourself in Musanze! Book directly via WhatsApp with Aloys at +250 782 366 043
