Satemwa Tea Estate, Tea plantation in Thyolo, Malawi
Satemwa is a tea plantation in the Shire Highlands located at elevations between 1000 and 1200 meters where different tea varieties grow. The fields spread across the hilly terrain, with the altitude being essential for the crops.
A Scottish pioneer named Maclean Kay established this plantation in 1923 by purchasing land from a tobacco farmer. The venture became the first commercial tea plantation in Africa.
The connection to the local community is visible in how many people depend on work here and benefit from programs offered on the estate. You can sense this commitment in the fields and in the initiatives that share knowledge with the region.
Visitors can explore the tea plantation through guided tours and participate in tasting sessions, with accommodation available at Huntingdon House. The visit offers insight into tea production from growing to processing.
The plantation remains independent from large agricultural businesses and operates as a family-run enterprise. It produces specialized artisanal teas including green, white, oolong, and black varieties that are not commonly found elsewhere.
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