Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge is hidden amongst one of Tanzania’s oldest and largest coffee plantations, the Burka Coffee Estate, established in 1899 by German settlers and purchased much later by a group of Swiss investors in 1929. The Estate manages 342 HA of Arabica coffee, with which they have adopted an active and profound corporate responsibility, while maintaining the consistent quality that makes Burka Coffee Estates a trusted speciality coffee producer. The name Burka is derived from the springs found on the farm, providing water for irrigation as well as the local communities. The Northern Tanzania Arabica coffee produced from this estate fetches a premium on the world market and is highly sought after by Japanese clients as well as European and US markets.
For guests staying at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge there is an exciting and informative ‘Coffee Tour’ for anyone who wishes to learn the fascinating cycle of the coffee bean. The Tour takes place within the grounds of the Lodge, weaving in and out of the evergreen coffee bushes, the Coffee Guide explains how the bean is nurtured, harvested, dried and finally roasted to produce a myriad of different blends that sate the taste of the most ardent of coffee connoisseurs. And the best part of the sixty-minute tour is the preparation of the coffee for that all-important taste test. In full view of all, the coffee is roasted, then freshly ground and finally added to hot water, all three actions of which delivering aromas that awaken even the dullest of senses.
Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro is situated on the Shangri-La Estate, home to Ngorongoro Mountain Coffee and located on the lush highlands of Northern Tanzania 1700 metres above sea level. Named after the famous novel “Lost Horizon” and rebought by a group of Danish Germans after being owned previously by the British after World War 2, the estate was revived in order to produce the renowned coffee that we have today. The crystal-clear untreated water from the forest along with the climate and exceptionally fertile volcanic soil all contribute to the vast growth and uniquely mild flavoured of the Mountain Coffee.
While staying at Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro Guests can stroll through the plantation of Shangri-La farm, learning the history and everyday processes of coffee making followed by the “bean to cup” method. A traditional hand roasting station is setup to witness how coffee beans were roasted in the old days on a Jiko- or local Swahili stove. End the tour with estate cheese and charcuterie accompanied by sparkling wine set up in The Manor gardens.
The estates follow a traditional agro-forestry system whereby coffee is shade grown under mostly indigenous trees, maintaining the right balance between our productive and non-productive areas. The staff housing and villages provide secure homes for the workforce and their families, whilst areas not conductive for coffee growth are preserved, thereby merging ecologically and socially stringent standards in order to produce consistently superior coffee. All the coffee harvested is UTZ certified, showing consumers that products have been sourced from farm to shop to shelf, following the Code of Conduct where guidance for better farming methods, working conditions and care for nature is expertly offered. As well as this, the estates are also Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices certified, where rewards are given only to those who produce high quality sustainably grown coffee for Starbucks stores. By evaluating the economic, social and environmental aspects of coffee production, they ensure that Starbucks sources sustainably grow and process coffee while addressing the needs of all the participants in the supply chain from farmer to consumer. By also being Rainforest Alliance Certified, they are audited annually against a rigorous standard with detailed environmental, social and economic criteria, designed to protect biodiversity, deliver financial benefits to farmers, and foster a culture of respect for workers and local communities allowing coffee to grow in harmony with nature.
