Sahambavy – The Only Tea Plantation in Madagascar
The Sahambavy plantations (355 ha, of which 94 are cultivated by farmers) are located in a very pleasant environment: a beautiful half-day walk or even a peaceful night at the stunning Lac Hotel are good reasons to visit this plantation on the side.
The history of this plantation began in 1969 with the arrival of the Institut Français de Café et Cacao (French Institute of Coffee and Cocoa). Scientific research was conducted on the different qualities of tea that could be grown in Madagascar. In 1970, the European Development Fund financed the expansion of the plantation under the name SOTEMAD (Société Théicole de Madagascar), which became a state-owned enterprise during the socialist era in 1973. In 1996, it returned to the private sector as Mauritian investors bought 2/3 of the capital. The plantation is now known as SIDEXAM Sahambavy. The Sahambavy Tea Plantation is the only one in Madagascar, therefore facing no competition. They are currently working on developing green tea, known for its health benefits and high demand in western markets.
Discover our tea factory and plantation during your stay in Madagascar. A guide will welcome you and show you around the different machines, explaining the various stages of tea processing.
You will witness the transformation of tea leaves into the final product, ready for export and packaging. Taste the different tea varieties on site and enjoy a short hike through the plantation surrounded by lush greenery.
Harvested every day.
Sahambavy: The only tea plantation in Madagascar.
Madagascans are not big tea drinkers, so only 20% of Sahambavy’s local tea production is enough for the whole country.
There is only one plantation, but Malagasy tea is of good quality and is mainly exported to Kenya.
In any case, visiting the tea plantation is a wonderful experience during a trip to Madagascar!
On the tea path, time for a taste and smell journey!
Sahambavy, the only production center on the. The large island in Madagascar, known as the “Women’s Field”, owes its name to this environment, whose gentle curves of plantations, a succession of hills in soft and bright green, can evoke roundness and feminine sensuality.
A history of tea cultivation
Thanks to a humid climate and a favorable altitude between 800 and 1200 meters, the first experiments carried out in 1970 with cuttings from Kenya proved to be significant enough to start building a first facility in 1978.
With nearly 335 hectares of plantations and an average daily production of 20 tons of leaves collected by about 250 people by hand, the estate, privatized since 1996, has transferred almost 94 hectares to farmers for self-management.
Located in a charming rural setting, on the edge of a pleasant small lake, the tranquility of the place inspires peace and serenity, without giving away the hard work involved in this almost industrialized activity.
Spending a few hours here will be one of the highlights of your trip.
A special tea production center
It seems incredible that before the 1970s, this place was just a small tea garden. Today, it has become a major tea production center, attracting visitors from all over the world. Years ago, no one seriously thought about the tea culture in Madagascar. However, the first attempts to transplant tea cuttings (from Kenya) were made in 1970, naturally in Sahambavy. The Malagasy government established the first tea production plant there in 1978. The company was privatized in 1996 when Mauritian investors bought 2/3 of the capital. Picking, withering, shredding, rolling, fermenting, drying, roasting, and filtering: a whole chain of careful handling and techniques precedes the final packaging phase before shipping to importing countries. The capacity… The machines allow them to process between 200 and 600 kg of tea per hour.
A Tea with Character
During the filtering process, the tea is passed through large mechanized sieves and sorted. The fiberization using an electrostatic process allows the distinction of grades (types), namely Dust, Pekoe Dust, Pekoe Fannings, Broken Pekoe. The air is saturated with the pronounced astringency and sharp acidity of Sahambavy tea!
In the factory, the smell is intoxicating! The tea produced in Madagascar has a rather full-bodied character and is closer to English tea than Asian tea. To perfect this “english taste,” we also want to adapt it. Taste Sahambavy tea with a touch of milk or even a little sugar to soften the flavor…
The Specialties of Sahambavy Tea
Beyond its history, Sahambavy tea culture is known for its natural environment. Whether enjoyed hot, warm, cold, natural, or sweetened, Sahambavy tea has a unique and pleasant taste according to preference. Moreover, it is a very effective medical treatment thanks to its many therapeutic virtues.
Sahambavy green tea contains powerful antioxidants that have a significant impact on health. Reducing the risk of breast, lung, stomach, prostate, and colon cancer, green tea also prevents hardening of the arteries and helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular accidents. Green tea is also beneficial for weight loss and proper functioning of the nervous system. Green tea can increase thermogenesis and reduce fat deposits in the liver. Like green tea, drinking black tea can bring important health benefits as well. Black tea reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stimulates the nervous system thanks to the methylxanthines it contains.
Lake Sahambavy is located [link to image]. With its idyllic location and relaxed ambiance, it is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Madagascar.
The hotel offers comfortable accommodations, delicious food, and a variety of activities for guests of all ages. Whether you want to explore the surroundings, relax by the lakeside, or simply enjoy peace and tranquility, Lac Hotel Sahambavy offers everything you need for an unforgettable stay.
Discover the beauty of Sahambavy and experience the tea culture in its natural environment. Book your stay at Lac Hotel Sahambavy today and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Madagascar. The FCE Railway Line is also available for exploration. The L ac Hotel is the perfect starting point for a train journey to the southeast of Madagascar, especially to Manakara. You can also enjoy tours of the Sahambavy Tea Plantation and the surrounding villages, or visit Sahambavy Lake, all organized by the hotel. The goal is to experience the culture and daily life of the Betsileo ethnic group. From Sahambavy to Manakara, you can take the “Jungle Express” from the FCE line station. The Lake Hotel has reserved seats on the train and guests can wait for the train’s arrival in very comfortable conditions at the Lake Hotel.
In order to better serve its customers, Lake Hotel Sahambavy has undertaken expansion work to increase its accommodation capacity.
Located right next to the Sahambavy tea plantations and the train station, the complex is beautifully situated on the shore of a beautiful artificial lake.
The surroundings are enchanting.
We fell in love with the first-class bridal carriage.
The address remains a preferred stopover on the way to the south.
Overall, the establishment offers 17 fully equipped, spacious, and bright rooms nestled in the midst of a lush tropical garden, providing stunning views of the lake and the country’s only tea plantation.
The restaurant can accommodate 80 people and serves typical Malagasy and European dishes.
Its chefs use organic ingredients (dairy products, honey, bread, fruits, vegetables, etc.) from the farm and plantation.
Hotels for Maximum Freshness and Flavor
Discover our selection of hotels offering the best in freshness and flavor for your next stay. Book now to experience top-notch dining options and culinary experiences that will leave your taste buds tingling. Don’t miss out on these amazing opportunities to indulge in delicious meals during your travels.
