TEA PLANTATION
DISCOVER…
THEICOLE
The history of Madagascar first tea plantation begins in 1969 with the arrival of the French Institute of Coffee and Cocoa. They first began with scientific research of the different qualities of tea that can be grown in Madagascar. In 1970, the European Development Fund financed the extension of the plantation, which became a state-owned enterprise in 1973 during the socialist period, under the name SOTEMAD (Société Théicole de Madagascar). In 1996, the tea plantation returned to the private sector: Mauritian investors bought 2/3 of the capital. Currently, the name of the plantation is SIDEXAM Sahambavy. The Sahambavy tea plantation is the only one in Madagascar, so there is no competition. For years to come, they are working on both the development of green tea, known for its health benefits and currently in demand in Western markets, and a project for organic tea.
The Sahambavy tea plantation
Half-day trip Driving time from Lac Hôtel: 10 minute drive from Lac Hotel. Elevation: 0 elevation Difficulty: easy Walking time inside the plantation: 1 –3 hours Interest of the visit: Half-day excursion, within reach of all to discover the stages of tea production. DESCRIPTION OF THE TOUR
Upon arrival a guide will welcome you and walk you through the tea factory. The guide will explain to you the the different stages of tea production and how tea is manufactured here in Madagascar. You will see the machinery and the different processes of tea production starting from the tea fields through the dehydration process, all the way to the final process of bagging the tea and getting it ready for exportation.
To end your tour you will have the opportunity to taste the different qualities of teas produced.
Then we will walk towards picking gatherers and walk through the huge and beautiful plantation.
Vous voulez visiter l'usine ?
Our phone lines are open 24/7 give us a call at 00261 20 75 959 06 or at 034 99 161 76
Send us an e-mail
We will answer you by email during the day.
How to come ?
By train, it is 2 minutes from Sahambavy Station (train connecting Fianarantsoa and Manakara), By road, it is 45 minutes from downtown Fianarantsoa, and also accessible by National Highway 7 Tananarive by turning left in the village of Ambalakely (Shell station)