Teza Tea Plantations – Burundi’s Green Gold

 Scene Lead

Mist drifts through rolling hills like a quiet dream. The morning sun paints every tea leaf in gold as women in bright scarves move rhythmically across the rows, baskets balanced gracefully on their backs. The scent of fresh leaves fills the air — pure, earthy, alive. This is Teza, the heart of Burundi’s highlands and the home of its green gold.

Introduction – The Beating Heart of Burundi’s Highlands Tea Plantations

Nestled between Muramvya and Gitega provinces, about 60 km east of Bujumbura, lies the Teza Tea Estate — one of Burundi’s oldest and most celebrated tea plantations.

Set at an altitude of 1,900 to 2,000 meters, Teza’s landscape is breathtaking — a carpet of green hills fading into mist, dotted with tea pickers, eucalyptus groves, and birdsong.

For generations, this place has been both a livelihood and a legacy — a symbol of Burundi’s connection to the land and the grace of its people.

"Where the mist kisses the hills and every leaf tells a story — Teza is where Burundi’s soul grows green and golden." 

History & Legacy

Tea arrived in Burundi during the colonial era but blossomed after independence in the 1960s. The government recognized the highlands’ unique climate — cool, humid, and fertile — as ideal for premium tea production.

Teza Tea Factory, established in the early 1970s, became a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy. Today, its teas are exported globally — admired for their rich flavor, golden color, and organic cultivation.

Every leaf plucked in Teza carries a story of resilience, pride, and craftsmanship passed down through families.

The Art of Tea Making

A visit to Teza isn’t just scenic — it’s educational and aromatic. Guided tours reveal every step of the process:

1. Plucking: Skilled pickers harvest the youngest two leaves and a bud, the soul of quality tea.

2. Withering: Fresh leaves are spread out in airy rooms to lose moisture and soften.

3. Rolling: Machines gently twist the leaves to release natural enzymes.

4. Oxidation: The magic moment — leaves darken, and the tea’s flavor develops.

5. Drying & Sorting: The final step, locking in aroma before the tea is graded and packed.

   
   

The result is a tea with smooth body, floral aroma, and a crisp, earthy finish — a taste that defines Burundi’s highlands.

The Landscape & Experience

Teza is one of the most photogenic places in Burundi. The plantation stretches endlessly across gentle hills, framed by mist and sunlight. Visitors can:

• Walk through tea fields with local guides explaining traditional plucking methods.

• Visit the tea factory to witness the production process.

• Enjoy tastings of freshly brewed black and green tea.

• Take scenic photos overlooking valleys and distant Mount Heha.

• Meet local farmers and learn how tea supports thousands of Burundian families.

  
  

The calm rhythm of life in Teza makes it a meditative journey — one that slows you down, fills your lungs with clean air, and reminds you that beauty often grows quietly.

Culture & Community

Tea isn’t just a crop here — it’s a culture. The people of Teza take immense pride in their craft. Every morning, they walk the same hills their parents did, guided by respect for nature and tradition.

Women often sing as they pick — songs of hope and harvest. Children help carry baskets at season’s end. And in the evenings, the scent of drying tea mingles with the warmth of village fires.

To walk among them is to witness harmony — between people, work, and the land itself.

Getting There

Teza lies about 2 hours from Bujumbura via the scenic Muramvya–Gitega road. The route winds through mountains, waterfalls, and forests — a photographer’s delight.

Visitors can arrange day trips from Bujumbura, Gitega, or Muramvya, with many local tour operators offering guided plantation tours that include tea tastings and factory visits.

"At sunrise, Teza awakens — a sea of emerald hills, women singing softly among the leaves, and the scent of peace drifting through the highlands." 

Where to Stay

• Muramvya Tea Lodge: Cozy eco-lodge overlooking tea fields and valleys.

• Gitega Hill View Hotel: A comfortable base for exploring central Burundi.

• Teza Guesthouses: Rustic but charming accommodations run by local cooperatives.

  
  

For a full experience, spend a night surrounded by mist, tea fragrance, and tranquility.

Sustainability & Eco-Tourism

Teza’s success comes with responsibility. The plantation’s management and cooperatives are now focusing on:

• Organic practices to preserve soil health.

• Reforestation to protect surrounding watersheds.

• Empowering women pickers through fair wages and literacy programs.

• Tourism partnerships that reinvest in local communities.

  
  

When you sip Burundian tea, you’re not just tasting a product — you’re supporting a movement for sustainable, community-led growth.

Tips

• Visit early morning to see pickers at work in the mist.

• Bring a jacket — the highlands can be cool even in dry season.

• Ask to tour the factory (permission may be needed).

• Buy packaged tea directly — fresher and supports locals.

• Combine your visit with Mount Heha or Karera Waterfalls for a perfect highland circuit.

  
  

Highlights

• One of Burundi’s most scenic tea estates

• Learn tea processing from leaf to cup

• Stunning mountain views and photography

• Opportunities for eco-tourism and local interaction

• Part of Burundi’s sustainable travel circuit

  
  

Recommendations

• Visit between June and September for clear weather and full harvest season.

• Book a guided tea tour to access the factory.

• Support women’s cooperatives selling handmade crafts nearby.

• Pack hiking shoes — the terrain can be slippery.

• Try fresh-brewed Teza Gold, Burundi’s finest black tea.

  
  

Conclusion – The Scent of Serenity

Teza isn’t just a plantation; it’s a poem written in green. Each leaf, each hand that picks it, tells a story of patience and pride.

Standing among the endless hills, you understand what “green gold” truly means — not wealth, but renewal. The kind that grows slowly, humbly, and beautifully.

When you leave Teza, its scent lingers — a memory of Burundi’s quiet grace, steeped in sun and mist.

Explore Burundi’s wonders beyond Teza — from Lake Tanganyika’s blue serenity to Karera’s roaring waterfalls, Rusizi’s hippo-lined rivers, and the Gishora Drum Sanctuary’s royal rhythms. Each destination reveals a different heartbeat of Burundi, where nature, culture, and adventure unite beautifully.