Kiambethu Tea Farm Tour

The Kiambethu Estate is located at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level, in a truly magnificent garden with views of the Ngong hills and has lush acres of tea plantations that seem to vanish in the horizon. Two English families, Mitchell & McDonnell in the early 1900's, built the Estate. Kiambethu Tea Farm is one of Kenya's oldest tea farms. It's a family run business run by Marcus and Fiona Mitchell and it is here where you get to enjoy a 'tea luncheon' with them. Kiambethu Tea Farm, the family home of one of the earliest tea growers in Kenya, is situated 30 Km away from Nairobi. The farm dates back to 1910 and the present house set amidst colorful gardens, has been home to four generations. These families are said to be the first to have ventured into the tea business. You will also have a lecture on the area and about the production of tea. In the afternoon, a walk through the tea plantations and forests will display the conditions needed for the growth of tea. The lecture on growth of tea is a good learning experience. For instance, you will see tea pickers on the farm plucking the top two leaves and bud from each plantation. Tea needs good rainfall, which is plenty in the region so tea is picked all year round. After the tea is picked, they are sent to the factories to be processed and sold to local and export markets. Kenya is the third largest producer of tea after Sri Lanka and India. Accompanied by the resident Kenyan guide, guests can also take a short walk into the small indigenous forest and learn about the plants and how they were used traditionally, watch the Colobus monkeys and birds who are resident in the gardens or just enjoy the sweeping views across the tea fields to the Ngong Hills.