SIPI COFFEE TOUR
Learn how to make traditional arabica coffee
Discover how Uganda’s world-famous Arabica coffee is grown, processed and brewed in the lush highlands of Sipi. This hands-on tour takes you through all steps of the coffee journey: from planting and picking ripe red cherries to dehusking, roasting and tasting your own freshly brewed cup.
Quick activity facts
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3-4 hours |
| Location | Sipi Community, Mount Elgon region |
| Price | $15 per person with a qualified and experienced guide |
| Transport | Optional return boda boda from Home of Friends: $3,50 per person |
| Includes | Guided coffee tour, tasting session and insights into the coffee trade |
| Booking | Book 2-3 days in advance through Home of Friends Guesthouse |
Highlights of the Sipi Coffee Tour
1. From Seedling to Harvest 🌱
Walk through green coffee gardens nestled on Mount Elgon’s fertile slopes. Learn how farmers plant, prune and hand-pick coffee cherries.
2. Roast, Grind & Brew 🔥
Join the farmers in roasting and grinding your own beans, using traditional pans and hand-grinders. Finish your tour with a steaming cup of your very own brew. Fresh, rich and grown in some of Uganda’s most scenic hills.
3. Learn About Coffee’s Global Journey 🧠
Discover how a humble cherry becomes one of the world’s most traded commodities. Your guide will share how coffee impacts daily life in the Sipi Community. And how Uganda has become Africa’s second-largest coffee producer.
Local Coffee Wisdom
Locals say:
“Coffee helps you work hard!”
“Coffee keeps the mind awake!”
“Coffee makes your neighborhood safer!”
Ask your guide about these sayings and discover the humor and truth behind them.
Coffee by the Numbers
Region: Mount Elgon Highlands
Altitude: 1,500–2,500 meters
Harvest seasons: October–December (main), June (small)
Export destinations: EU (62%), Sudan (14%), India (5%), USA (3%)
Fun fact: Uganda produces over 330 million coffee trees, mostly grown by smallholder farmers.
Why Visit Sipi Coffee Farms?
The Sipi Coffee Tour is an ideal short trip for travelers who love to connect with Uganda’s agricultural roots and enjoy a great brew at the source. Although this experience lies outside our own Kapchorwa–Kween Community projects, we gladly help arrange it. We also encourage you to explore the less-visited cultural and hiking experiences we’ve developed closer to our Guesthouse.
Recommended Next Experience
After exploring Sipi’s coffee culture, continue your journey deeper into Kapchorwa’s hills with one of our Community-developed adventures:
Cooking with the Kapchorwa Mamas - Prepare a traditional warrior meal together with local women.
Kapchorwa–Benet Trail - A full-day off-the-beaten-track mountain adventure.
Mosopisiek Trail - Immerse yourself in Uganda’s indigenous culture on a 2–3 day trek.