Rwanda - Gishamwana Island / Bourbon / Washed

Just a short boat ride from the shores of Lake Kivu lies a place so serene it feels almost imagined: Gishamwana Island. Tucked away in the calm of Rwanda’s western waters, this secluded coffee haven is home to more than 35,000 coffee trees—all grown, milled, and dried on the island itself. The entire production cycle happens here, untouched by the distractions of the mainland.

Gishamwana is privately owned by Emmanuel Rwakagara, founder of COOPAC, a Fair Trade–certified cooperative that operates across the volcanic slopes of northern Lake Kivu. The island is a biodiverse sanctuary where coffee trees share the land with cows, goats, and even a resident albino rabbit—part of a holistic approach that puts environmental harmony at the heart of farming.

Organically grown Bourbon varietals thrive here beneath dense native forest canopy, receiving more shade than is typical in African coffee production. This slower, more protected growth contributes to a cup profile that’s rich, sweet, and complex. And thanks to the island’s natural isolation, many common pests and diseases have simply never arrived.

The cherries are selectively hand-picked at peak ripeness and processed on the same day: pulped, dry fermented, wet fermented, washed, soaked, and then sun-dried on raised beds—each step carefully overseen for quality.

The result is a cup that’s redefined how we see Rwandan coffee. It’s juicy and bright, with a lively acidity and elegant flavours of yellow stone fruit and delicate forest berries. We’re incredibly proud to share this island-grown gem with you.

Flavour profile: Mango, peach, redcurrants.

[Note] This coffee is roasted to order, please allow 1 – 2 business days prior to dispatch.