Muzo washing station
Gakenke

The Northern Province of Rwanda is a large coffee-producing region in which lots of washing stations have been set up. The area counts several thousand producers, and each owns a plot of land. The Northern Province, with its lakes and mountains, is a perfect environment for developing excellent coffees. It sits at an altitude of over 1,600 metres, which is ideal for coffee trees. 

The Coko terroir has a savannah climate with a dry winter. Rainfall is much more abundant in the summer than in the winter. The average annual temperature is 21.3 °C, for an average rainfall of 828 ml. Some forests have been preserved and hikes are organised near the Visoke volcano, from where you may even see a gorilla as the gorilla population has increased in Rwanda over the past 10 years.

Thanks to the quality of its coffee and ongoing efforts to improve growing and processing practices, Rwanda's Northern Province has built a solid reputation in the international speciality coffee market. 

The province is characterised by its mountainous landscape and fertile soils, with altitudes ranging from 1,700 to 2,500 metres above sea level. The climate is cool and humid, with rainfall well distributed throughout the year, favouring the slow growth of cherries and the development of complex flavours. The soils of the region are mainly volcanic, rich in minerals and organic matter. Coffee from the Northern Province is known for its lively acidity and cups generally have notes of citrus, red fruit and delicate floral nuances. 

The predominant coffee variety in this region is red Bourbon, although there are a few plantations of Bourbon Mayaguez 139.  

In the Northern Province, many small producers have formed cooperatives. These structures play a crucial role in improving farming practices, post-harvest processing and coffee marketing. Many of these cooperatives participate in Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance certification schemes, which help to improve producers' incomes and promote sustainable farming practices.