Coffee plantations in Mbale

Coffee has been Uganda’s most important cash crop throughout the years, making it the top export earner since the 1980s. Uganda has specialized in the production of 2 types of coffee: Arabic coffee and Robusta coffee. Arabic coffee grows only in high-altitude areas of southeastern and southwestern Uganda. The Mbale district is recognized as one of the biggest coffee-producing countries, specifically growing Arabic coffee best on the slopes of Mount Elgon and Mount Rwenzori.

This coffee was introduced from Ethiopia and naturalized on the slopes of Mount Elgon. In Mbale, the planting season is between April and March and harvesting between August and November. Based on that background, coffee has become one of those tourist attractions that you ought to do while on a Uganda safari. Ugandans are not coffee lovers; no wonder most of the coffee is exported to other countries. However, due to the tourist increase, coffee consumption has gradually increased.

Visit a coffee plantation on your en route visit of Kidepo National Park through the eastern part of Uganda and stop in Mbale for a coffee processing procedure and get to taste and carry back home. You will be guided through the whole experience of coffee processing stages from the time it’s picked from the farm to drying and to the last stage of tasting coffee. Do not think of leaving Uganda without trying out Ugandan coffee.