An Afternoon at the Picturesque Kiambethu Tea Farm

Since we moved here a few years ago, visiting a tea farm in Kenya has been on my travel wish list. While I’ve been excited about this experience, Mark has harboured some reservations. But as we all know, the secret to a happy married life is a happy wife! Therefore, a visit to a tea farm was ultimately inevitable 🙂

While searching for a place to visit, I stumbled upon two tea farm tours – the Kiambethu Tea Farm and the Purple Tea Farm tour by Gatura Greens. Kiambethu Tea Farm was closer to us, so we visited it first.

Getting to Kiambethu Tea Farm in Kenya

The familiar journey to Kiambethu felt effortless that Sunday. We’d travelled this route countless times before, whether heading to weekend escapes beyond Nairobi or simply passing through for other reasons. The roads were wonderfully empty, allowing us to cover the distance in just 40 minutes.

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Sarah, the granddaughter of our host and property owner, Fiona. One by one, the other guests trickled in until the group was complete, and with everyone assembled, Fiona began the tour with a lecture on the farm’s origins and tea plantations.

History of Kiambethu Tea Farm in Kenya

Kiambethu Farm’s story began in 1910 when AB McDonell purchased and cultivated the land and the legacy of this historic farm lives on through his granddaughter, Fiona Vernon. Today, the property, a lot smaller than it used to be, unfolds into vast tea plantations and patches of indigenous forest, creating a sanctuary for the distinctive Colobus monkeys that call this place home.

During the introduction, Fiona mentioned her grandfather’s arrival in Kenya, adding that she “wasn’t sure what brought him here” – possibly a joke that went over my head at the time.

The comment made me pause, given that Kenya was under British colonial rule then, with many settlers being drawn to establish agricultural ventures in the region; I found myself wishing for either a simple focus on the facts of his arrival or a more direct acknowledgement of the historical context.

After the introductions, Fiona led us to a section of the farm where she explained how tea leaves are harvested and transported to tea factories, as well as all the administrative work that goes into the process.

A Lesson on Tea Production in Kenya

We learned that over 90% of harvested tea in Kenya is exported, with the bulk of that going to the UK. The irony wasn’t lost on us – if you’re hunting for the finest Kenyan tea blend, you might have better luck hopping on a flight to London than finding it locally!

Later, we went to the house where our hosts served steaming cups of tea (naturally) alongside plates of homemade treats, a perfect interlude before the next activity, which was a guided forest walk.

Guided Forest Walk…

As we ventured into the woods, our guide revealed the forest’s secrets, stopping to identify medicinal herbs and gnarled roots that locals still gather for their traditional remedies. Above us, black and white Colobus monkeys swung gracefully through the canopy.

At one point, Mark and I drifted away from the group, enjoying a peaceful stroll on our own before reuniting with everyone back at the house. Lunch awaited us – a delightful farm-to-table spread laid out buffet-style in the dining area of the house. We carried our plates outside to enjoy our meal in the garden.

As the afternoon wound down, we savoured our final moments at the farm, meandering through the garden one last time and capturing a few more photos among the pristine rows of tea bushes before bidding farewell to this slice of Kenyan countryside.

In summary, I really enjoyed this day trip from the city. Our hosts were kind and welcoming and the lecture was insightful. I learned many new things about tea production in Kenya. Overall, I thought it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Nairobi.

The Sum Up – Visiting a Tea Farm in Kenya

Planning a visit to Kiambethu Tea Farm? You can easily book your tour through their official website. Tours operate Thursday through Sunday, running from 11 am to 3 pm. Currently priced at 4,500 KSh per adult, with children under 12 paying half that price.

The farm offers an intimate glimpse into Kenya’s historic tea industry, making it a perfect day trip from Nairobi.

Have you been to Kiambethu Tea Farm or any other place around the world? I’d love to hear about it. Please leave a comment in the comment section below!