Kenya: Experience Seedling to Export

26th October - 3rd November, 2024

Join us for an immersive 7-day experience in kericho county, kenya. This trip is an opportunity to engage with the future of coffee production in Kenya. exploring every stage of the coffee value chain, from seedling to export. Led by Sidney Kibet of Lot20 we will be taking you on a journey through the history of Kenyan coffee cultivation and meeting the people who are shaping it's future.

Get hands-on with coffee production

Kenya, the 24th biggest coffee producing country

Kenya, a land of breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore its vibrant coffee industry firsthand. From the sweeping highlands of Kericho to the warmth of its people, Kenya’s diversity shines through. On this trip, you’ll journey from seed to cup, learning about sustainable farming, harvesting, and processing your own coffee.
Read on for a detailed itinerary that promises hands-on learning and unique coffee industry insights from producers themselves!

Currency:

Kenyan Shilling, USD sometimes

Climate:

Tropical

Languages:

Swahili, English

Vaccines:

Optional

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and introduction

Guests will meet at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where they will be picked up and driven to Kericho.

There will be an introduction to the trip, and a visit to a local nursery, where guests will learn more about cultivating coffee as they assist in planting and potting seedlings.
The evening will feature an engaging talk on coffee breeding and varietals by Dr Dimase of the Coffee Research Institute..

Day 2 & 3: How to produce coffee

On these days guests receive a hands-on farm tour that demonstrates examples of crop planning, sustainable agricultural practices, and pest and disease prevention.

The group will then construct a small scale coffee processing system; learning to set up fermentation tanks, drying beds, and a pulping machine.

Day 4: Cherry harvest

Guests will work together to harvest their own coffee cherries, then sort through them to remove defects.

In the afternoon, cherries will go through floating and be pulped ready for fermentation.

Day 5 & 6: Processing to export

Each guest will select a processing method and receive expert guidance as they get to produce their own microlot.

The next day, the group will visit a dry mill to take part in the milling process and prepare their coffee for export (Lot 20 will arrange for each guest to be delivered their processed coffee once it is ready).

Day 7: The Coffee Research Institute

The final day will see an early morning ride to Riuru to visit the Coffee Research Institute, where guests will be able to explore a preserved collection of coffee varietals, as well as speak with researchers about ongoing projects and their effect on the industry.

In the evening, the group will be transported back to Nairobi for departure flights.

Price Break Down

6 Nights Accommodation

£600

Food

£180

Transport

£235

Workshop materials

£25*

Emergency fund

£60

Estimated Total

£1100

A £50 deposit is also required upon confirmation of attendance. This is so we can secure initial bookings for accommodation and travel before the start of the trip.

*Guests will also be asked for 65p per kilo of cherries they wish to process.

Important Information

Guests will need to book their own flights for this trip, though we will provide information about the flights we are taking so that guests are able to fly with us if they wish.
Vaccines are not essential, but you should consider getting shots for Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever. For more recommendations click this link.
We also recommend taking an antimalarial, which needs to be started days or even weeks before your trip. To read more on antimalarials, please click here.
Insurance is not provided by Omwani, however we would suggest purchasing some cover.
A Visa is required and can be purchased on arrival or online.
Please be aware that this trip will include some physically demanding tasks over rough terrain, so be sure you're up for it and bring good walking boots!