Banana Juice Making at a Local Community
Traditionally shared during weddings and other celebrations, banana juice and beer has long been a central part of Rwandan parties. Although nowadays banana juice can be easily bought from the local store, the traditional technique for making your own brew is a much greater labour of love. Experience the whole process from tree to bottle.
Options
Banana Juice Making
Duration: 8 hours: Standard duration but the day is flexible
Lunch and Water: Traditional Meal with the family plus bottled water throughout the day
What's included in Banana Juice Making at a Local Community
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Arrive at the centre. Here you will have a briefing before departing to the rural community. Here you will be welcomed by artisans and meet the family that will be your hosts for the day. The the days activities start by cutting and collecting green bananas, then digging a hole in the ground to bury the green bananas to become ripe. You can then help fetch water or continue to help with food preparation. Then a traditional Rwandan lunch will be served e.g. cassava and beans. This is a good time to ask your hosts about life in their community. They may have questions for you too about life in your home country. After an hour at lunch you will dig up the ripe bananas and start the juice-making process using traditional techniques. This will take approximately 2 hours. You will depart the rural community and be transferred back to the centre for a cold drink and debrief before shopping for gifts and souvenirs at the store.
Inclusions
- Local guide
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Transport from Muhanga (Gitarama) Town to the village and back
- Local taxes
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from Muhanga (Gitarama) Town. But can be arranged for an additional payment
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Need to book a minimum of 96 hours before the experience starts to allow enough time for the community to prepare the bananas, if you book sooner, the supplier will ask to reschedule
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- Coming from Kigali as you enter Muhanga/Gitarama you will the prison on your left. After 30 metres there is a road forking off to your right; ignore this. Keep going on the main road about 100 metres further on the left hand-side of the road you will see the Azizi Life sign.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
How to prepare for your visit • Men can wear trousers or shorts. Women should wear trousers or a skirt that covers the knees as Rwandan women usually don’t show their knees. • You might consider wearing or bringing a long-sleeved shirt in case you cut grass for animals, as this can irritate the skin. • We recommend that you wear closed-toed shoes: Walking shoes are useful on the paths, which can be steep and slippery. You might want to bring a spare pair of shoes, as one pair may get muddy if you work in the fields. • Be prepared to spend time in the sun. • Bring a camera or video camera if you wish; the artisans and their families won’t mind. • There will be a translator with you: feel free to ask as many questions as you wish. • Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies. Food served may contain nuts. • Ensure that you have health insurance to cover your visit. We do all we can to ensure your safety during your visit. In the case of an accident, we will ensure you get appropriate medical attention. However, you must cover the costs through your insurance.You should also know that: • Some of the paths are steep and can be slippery after rain, but you will be given a hand if you need it. • You will be supplied by Azizi Life with plenty of bottled water. • The food is thoroughly cooked: no previous visitors have become ill after eating it. But if you prefer not to eat, or to eat just a little, you will not offend your host. • Soap and water are available for washing your hands. • Each house has a pit latrine. • We take a first aid kit, hand sanitizer and toilet paper. • Never drink non-boiled juice. After making it, Azizi will make sure that it gets boiled and you can it take it home with you. • Sometimes other members of the community come and stare at white visitors for a while, as white people are seldom seen in rural communities. They are simply curious.
