A guided coffee plantations tour in Sipi region, eastern Uganda is one of the most captivating tours you can ever experience in the country. You will encounter the local coffee farmers who will offer insight regarding the different procedures of growing Arabica coffee as a legitimate cash crop. These delicate coffee seeds are first grown in the nursery beds before being transferred to the main gardens. You will also tour the mature coffee in the garden, before witnessing how coffee beans are harvested and dried. Hulling and roasting of coffee beans in a fireplace is also demonstrated besides grinding and brewing. There is also a once in life opportunity of drinking the coffee beverage at the source of the product.
The coffee in the Sipi region is held in high regard by the locals since its introduction in the early 1900s. The Bagisu and Sabiny who are the indigenous people in this region claim that eating it offers them strength for working. Also, they believe that coffee is an appetite suppressant, and at the moment it has enhanced their livelihoods through direct income earned from sales. This helps them support their families as well as improve the national economy. You will gain more insight about the impact of coffee plantations in a guided coffee plantations tour which costs around US dollars 15 and will take 3 to 4 hours.
When to go for a coffee plantations tour in Sipi region
Visitors are welcome to go to the Sipi region for a coffee plantations tour throughout the year but the best time to witness the harvesting of coffee is in June, October, November and December. Also, the weather in the Sipi region, just like most parts of Uganda is characterized by the wet and dry season each year, both presenting unique weather conditions to affect your tour experience. The dry season offers more favorable warm and dry weather conditions to ensure the day tour activity is undisrupted by showers. The Sipi region experiences a bimodal dry season which occurs in the months of January, February, June, July, August, early September and December.
How to travel for the coffee plantations tour in Sipi region
There is only one way of reaching the Sipi region for a coffee plantations tour, and that is using road transport. From Kampala the distance covered is approximately 290 kilometers to the northeast via Jinja, Mbale and Kapchorwa. A scenic road journey will take 4.5 – 6 hours depending on the traffic and road status quo. A private drive is possible and Monteero Safaris offers car hire services and a knowledgeable driver guide to make a worthwhile if not insightful travel experience to the Sipi region. Besides transportation, Monteero Safaris is the best tour operator for you to book accommodation with, and other tour activities within the Sipi region and throughout Uganda. Along with you, we can design tailored itineraries that includes meals, transport, accommodation and tour activities among others.
Other tour activities at the Sipi region besides coffee plantations tour
You can supplement your coffee plantations tour with other exciting tour activities, including,
Hiking adventure, which supplements your coffee plantations tour by offering you an opportunity to follow various trails while climbing towards the Sipi falls. The adventure provides views of different bird species, butterflies and scenery, especially the lush Mount. Elgon. The greenery serves as a backdrop to take nice photos of the scenes and the falls.
Village tour, for you to supplement your coffee plantations tour in the Sipi region by offering encounters with the Bagisu and Sabiny people who are indigenous to the place. The people provide deeper insight into their cultures, lifestyles and experiences. You will also appreciate their culinary traditions, hobbies and entertainment among other things.
Birdwatching excursion, which is another supplementary tour activity that you can enjoy in the Sipi and Mount Elgon regions. In this region, birders have a chance to view over 296 bird species, some of which have global significance. These include moorland francolin, Hunter’s apalis, black-collared apalis, moustached green tinkerbird and Jackson’s francolin.
Cave exploration, which is another supplementary adventure that offers exploration of the rich and intricate history of the local people through the various ancient paintings found in the caves near the Sipi falls. These paintings have been preserved for decades and can be studied and photos taken for future memories.
Essential items to bring for a coffee plantations tour in Sipi Region
A tour at the coffee plantations in the Sipi region would be much more exciting if you bring with you the following essential items,
- Camera or smart phone
- A daypack
- A recyclable water bottle
- Breathable hiking shoes with ankle support
- Warm sweater
- Light rain jacket
- Light clothes which consist of long-sleeved shirt and trousers or skirt to appear respectable in a different culture
- Sun protection essentials (wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
- Insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites on your skin
- Extra cash to purchase locally made items or produce
- Travel documents including your valid visa
If you need additional guidance on what to pack for your coffee plantations tour in Sipi region, you can contact us at Monteero Safaris for approvals and tailored advise.