How to Get a Great Cup of Coffee on Safari
You must read Coffee Lover Survival Kit for your Safari in Uganda.
Coffee Lover Survival Kit for your Safari in Uganda. Coffee has its roots in Africa, and today, Uganda proudly produces some of the finest Arabica coffee in the world. However, this remarkable truth often goes unnoticed by many visitors, especially outside Kampala. Instead, you may be served tepid water from a thermos, sugar, powdered milk, or worse, a tin of instant coffee—an affront to any true coffee lover.
For those who cherish their morning brew, this experience can feel like dancing without music. Instant coffee is a disappointment, a blasphemy in the eyes of connoisseurs. Many reluctantly opt for tea while longing for a steaming cup of exquisite Arabica coffee that grows just a stone’s throw from their lodge.
You might ask, “How can it be that I can find top-quality coffee around the globe, yet here in the heart of Uganda, I’m offered instant coffee? Isn’t this where coffee is cultivated? I saw the lush coffee fields just yesterday!”
Indeed, retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, and Costco proudly sell Ugandan coffee, and Starbucks features a variety of beans from this coffee-rich land. Yet, the coffee version served in Uganda often falls short of the exceptional quality that the country is known for. This is particularly disheartening for those from coffee-loving regions like Washington State, where the appreciation for quality coffee runs deep.
Uganda’s Arabica coffee is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Don’t settle for instant coffee when you can experience the rich, vibrant flavors this remarkable country offers. Seek out local cafes and roasteries that showcase the true essence of Ugandan coffee, and let each sip transport you to the breathtaking landscapes where it was grown.
Embrace the opportunity to savor the authentic taste of Uganda’s coffee and elevate your experience during your visit. The real Uganda is in every beautifully brewed cup—make sure you don’t miss out on this extraordinary journey.
Can I get a good Cup of Coffee on Safari?
Coffee Lover’s Dilemma in Uganda: Recently, I came across a review on TripAdvisor from a visitor to Uganda who lamented, “The coffee is weak and terrible, just like every place in Uganda. I am used to that.” This sentiment reflects a common frustration among travelers in a country renowned for its world-class coffee—only to be served tepid water and subpar instant coffee.
Imagine being on safari in the heart of one of the world’s premier coffee-growing regions. Yet, the brew you receive is so far from what you expect. The person serving you may not realize that instant coffee is akin to “dancing without music.” For coffee lovers, it insults the craft and passion of producing a quality cup.
Unfortunately, many locals, like those in Uganda and Rwanda, have been raised on chai tea, which thrives in the region. As a result, they may not fully appreciate the nuances of a great cup of coffee. To them, instant coffee mixed with lukewarm water and powdered milk seems acceptable—when in reality, it is a far cry from the rich, aromatic experience that true coffee connoisseurs seek. Consider packing a Coffee Lover’s Survival Kit to avoid this disappointment on your safari.
Many travelers share a passion for coffee, craving that perfect morning brew instead of weak or instant varieties. Seek out authentic Arabica coffee grown in Uganda and Rwanda—the very beans that have garnered worldwide attention.
Don’t settle for the instant options that may be readily available. Instead, take the initiative to seek out local cafes or roasteries that understand the value of quality coffee. With a little effort, you can savor the true essence of Ugandan and Rwandan coffee, elevating your safari experience and ensuring every sip is a delightful reminder of your travels in this beautiful region.
Why Instant Coffee is Unacceptable for Coffee Lovers!
For coffee lovers on safari, being served instant coffee in a world-class coffee-growing country like Uganda is unacceptable. Those who cherish their Morning Joe cannot settle for Nescafé or any other instant coffee, even if accompanied by a warm smile.
The Safari Experience: Your visit to Uganda—a nation celebrated for its exceptional coffee—loses its charm when a hotel or lodge serves instant coffee alongside an excellent breakfast. For a true coffee enthusiast, this is nothing short of blasphemy and, as locals might say, “bad manners.”
Not serving the country’s finest coffee is a baffling oversight that speaks to a more significant issue. Many lodge owners seem culturally unaware of what their international guests genuinely desire. Even staff who may grow coffee locally often default to their morning chai—African tea with milk, sugar, and ginger—leaving the rich flavors of Ugandan coffee untapped.
While most luxury lodges recognize the importance of serving quality coffee, mid-range accommodations still present a hit-or-miss scenario. Fortunately, many are making significant strides in improving their offerings. However, at budget lodges, instant coffee remains the norm.
We advocate for hotels and lodges to prominently feature high-quality Arabica coffee on their menus. Promoting and selling Ugandan-grown coffee can enhance the guest experience and let travelers take a piece of Uganda home. This elevates the safari experience, supports local farmers, and showcases the essence of Uganda’s coffee culture. Let’s ensure that every cup served reflects this incredible country’s richness and quality!
Our Coffee Lover Survival Kit for your Safari in Uganda
What we do for Coffee Loving Clients on Safari with us:
For coffee lovers on safari, being served instant coffee in a world-class coffee-growing country like Uganda is unacceptable.
Those who cherish their Morning Joe deserve more than Nescafé or any other instant brew, no matter how warm the smile accompanies it.
The Safari Experience: Your journey through Uganda—a nation renowned for its exceptional coffee—loses its allure when a hotel or lodge opts for instant coffee alongside what could be an extraordinary breakfast. For true coffee enthusiasts, this is not just disappointing; it’s a profound misstep, or as locals might say, “bad manners.”
Failing to serve the country’s finest coffee highlights a deeper issue. Many lodge owners appear unaware of the genuine desires of their international guests. Even staff who grow coffee locally often gravitate towards their morning chai—African tea with milk, sugar, and ginger—over the rich, vibrant flavors of Ugandan coffee.
While most luxury lodges understand the importance of offering quality coffee, mid-range accommodations can be hit-or-miss. Thankfully, many are making significant improvements. Unfortunately, at budget lodges, instant coffee still reigns supreme.
We encourage hotels and lodges to showcase high-quality Arabica coffee on their menus. Promoting and selling Ugandan-grown coffee can enhance the guest experience and allow travelers to take a piece of Uganda home. This enriches the safari experience, supports local farmers, and highlights the essence of Uganda’s coffee culture. Let’s ensure that every cup served embodies the richness and quality of this incredible country!
Creating a Coffee Lover Survival Kit for your Safari in Uganda 
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Coffee Tips for Your Safari in Uganda
When planning your stay in Uganda, it’s wise to avoid budget hotels and lodges. Even those near coffee plantations often serve instant coffee, which can be a letdown for any coffee lover. Instead, opt for moderate or upmarket lodges where the likelihood of enjoying quality coffee significantly increases.
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Essential Coffee Lover’s Survival Kit: A small French press coffee maker is a must-have item. We can help you find one locally if you don’t have one.
Be sure to purchase high-quality ground Ugandan coffee from a reputable supermarket or coffee shop. We recommend trying the hand-roasted Big Gorilla Coffee, Star Cafe Bugisu, or White Mountain Coffee. When ordering, always ask for boiling water to ensure the best brew. Decaf coffee is not typically available; if you prefer it, be sure to bring your own.
Emergency Coffee Plan: If you forget your French press and can’t find one, don’t worry! You can still make a great cup of coffee with a simple method: take two cups, put the right amount of coffee into one cup, add boiling water, let it steep for a moment, and then pour the coffee through a fine sieve into the other cup—voilà! You’ve got a delightful brew.
If all else fails, consider enjoying tea while in Uganda or Rwanda. The local tea is quite good, and if you’re not a fan of traditional African tea—often boiled with milk, sugar, and ginger—you can request a simple cup of plain tea.
With these tips, you can ensure that your coffee experience enhances your safari adventure!
