Mbale is the collection point of all the coffee grown on the slopes of Mount Elgon. This coffee is known internationally as Bugisu Arabica and it is reputed as one of the best coffees in the world, with unmatched qualities and aromas. During the crop seasons Mbale town and the roads reaching it are full of vehicles transporting coffee from the mountain to the mill, where it will be prepared for export or raosting.

If you wish to take a closer look on how coffee is cultivated, picked and processed, Mount Elgon Hotel has prepared a a wonderful and informative experience that will reveal all the secrets of the Bugisu Arabica, from the field to the cup.

The experience includes a visit to the coffee plantations high on the mountain, an occasion to meet the local population and be impressed by the breathtaking scenery offered by the peak and valleys of Mount Elgon. The following stage will take you to the washing stations, where the coffee cherries are taken to be pulped, sorted, soaked, fermented and dried. And then, back to Mbale to the coffee mill, to take a look on how the green coffee is further processed for shipment and roasting. At the end of the day, we go back to the hotel, to rest and sip a cup of the same coffee.

The coffee experience is organised throughout the year, although the journey to the mountains can not be guaranteed in case of heavy rains. The best period is between June and July and between late October and January, when the harvesting season is on.