Primates & Plains of Rwanda

Akagera comprises some of the most picturesque savannah in East Africa – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp, and grassy low mountains – with Wilderness Magashi being the only private concession area in the park. Home to one of Africa’s highest hippo densities, reintroduced eastern black rhino and lion, as well as the secretive sitatunga. Guests can participate in conservation efforts, including tracking and identifying the lions and leopards of the area through the use of identikits.

After dark game viewing with filtered spotlights allow you to find intriguing nocturnal animals. Typically seen may include spotted hyaena, civet, genet, mongoose, owls and nightjars. Or even the enigmatic leopard. With day and night game drives on offer, exploring at Wilderness Magashi is truly extraordinary.

Boating in swamp cruisers, with 'double decker' seating for higher elevation game viewing, is an excellent way to view the water birds and many other aquatic animals seen around beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga.

* Possible year round.

Fishing on a catch and release basis only, year round, with the camp providing a small stock of basic rods and reels.

After an early breakfast in camp, gear up for a thrilling bird watching experience. Akagera National Park is renowned as one of the best birding areas in the world with more than 500 species recorded here. A bird count comparable with the larger Kruger National Park. Rarities include the papyrus gonolek (restricted to the papyrus swamps), the localised red-faced barbet, and the swamp flycatcher.

Boasting a light footprint, Wilderness Magashi is 100% solar powered, and completely single-use plastic free. Besides our commitment to conservation and sustainable operations, we are delighted to have set up a Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Eco-Club at Akayange Primary School, near the North Gate of Akagera. Further community empowerment initiatives include hiring locally, with one-third of staff recruited from the surrounding communities, with ongoing training and development offered to ensure staff are able to grow into senior roles. In addition, the camp supports local community cooperatives that make lunch bags for guests, kitenge beeswax wraps, candles for the dining tables, and carved wooden shoebills.

In 2018 Wilderness joined forces with Olympus in an exciting partnership to enhance our wildlife photography experience in camps. The result of this partnership has produced incredible images taken by guests, guides and camp managers alike.

Olympus Photo Hubs, set up at selected camps, allow our guests the opportunity of capturing their images while our Wilderness photographic guides assist with sharing tips on how best to capture those powerful wilderness moments.

* Olympus Photo Hub experience dependent on camera availability.

The legendary Virunga Mountains in the north-east are home to volcanoes, swathes of cloud forest and half the world’s total population of endangered mountain gorillas. The primates of Rwanda are unparalleled, and Wilderness Bisate is the perfect base for mountain gorilla trekking. This thrilling excursion takes place from Volcanoes National Park headquarters where guests are allocated to one of the twelve habituated gorilla families for a one-hour awe-inspiring encounter.

* Gorilla Trekking Permits, per person, at an additional cost.

View this beautifully-coloured primate, which is endemic to the area and lives in groups of between 30 to 80 individuals in the Park’s bamboo forest.

Set on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, and an easy drive to the park gate, Wilderness Bisate is located in a vantage point that feels part of the park, offering breathtaking views of six volcanoes, including Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno.

A full-day guided hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke (3 711 metres) can be strenuous, however, is well worth the effort, offering sweeping views of the rainforest and crater lake. Explore the diversity of habitats, and visibly discover the flourishing wildlife.

One of the Wilderness Bisate agronomists will show you around the tree nursery and help you plant a sapling as part of our visionary reforestation project. Includes a visit to the Bamboo Greenhouse to see our greater indigenous tree nursery efforts.

Guided visit to the nearby community and members of the cooperative, including the farmers who cultivate and sell their vegetables to Wilderness Bisate.

A spectacular, challenging hike to Dian Fossey’s burial site and the ruins of her Karisoke Research Centre, set in the saddle of Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes at an elevation of some 3 000 metres.

Bisate Kwanda accommodates early arrivals and later departures, providing more flexibility with transfers in and out of the lodge. Further enhancing our guest experience, the offering at Bisate Kwanda will allow guests to shower, change, have a light meal, visit the Wilderness Bisate Boutique stocked with items from Rwanda (purchases at an additional cost), have a massage (treatments at an additional cost), or simply relax in the informal lounge with fireplace, while enjoying the sweeping views overlooking the organic vegetable garden and the reforestation efforts towards Volcanoes National Park.

Kwanda is a Kinyarwanda word meaning growth or expansion; a place to gather; a gift – all three of which perfectly sum up the day lounge’s unique offering. Located close to the main lodge, tucked out of sight, Bisate Kwanda has local craftspeople to thank for its uniquely Rwandan flavour. From hand-tooled wooden utensils and food boards to delicate crockery, striking entrance floors and hallways, volcanic rock walls and facings, hand-woven baskets and placemats, and garden pots, everything has been designed and hand-crafted by Rwandans to create a truly authentic ambience.

* All Volcanoes National Park activities require permits (per person) at additional cost. The private gorilla trek is at a further additional cost.

Established in 1967, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund works to protect and study gorillas, and their habitats, as well as to empower people who live near their forest home. With a team of hundreds working in Rwanda and the DRC, the Fossey Fund is the world’s longest-running and largest organisation dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation.

In 2022, the organisation moved to its first permanent, purpose built home, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Nestled in a beautiful, reforested landscape near the Volcanoes National Park it is worth visiting, with a stop at the campus easy to add during a stay at Wilderness Bisate or Wilderness Sabyinyo.

https://gorillafund.org/ellencampus/

* No additional costs besides the entrance fee, and may be experienced either on arrival or departure, or in the afternoon after gorilla trekking.

Work up a sweat in the gymnasium unlike any you’ve seen before – the great outdoors! Allow our motivating guide to lead you on a kinetic workout through the leafy tracks surrounding our tea plantation. The natural landscape is the only equipment you’ll need for this jungle-style Bootcamp in the fresh, mountain air.

An iconic part of Africa’s history, the spear is a symbol of strength, but it’s also a lot of fun! On a hilltop above our tea plantation, enjoy a refreshing cool drink as you learn how to make your own spear take flight and take in the fabulous fresh air views.

We don’t just exist within Nyungwe’s environment, we exist alongside it, which means conservation is part of our daily routine. Come and explore some of the initiatives that operate within the Nyungwe National Park and also around the resort.

What makes the perfect cup of tea? Some will say it’s all in the brew, but our tea expert will show you it starts right at the beginning. You will be invited to go into the tea plantation and learn the art of picking tea leaves and trying it out on your own. Don’t miss the interactive and visual presentation revealing the process of growing and processing African tea leaves. No demonstration would be complete without a taste, so you will have the chance to sample some beautiful black tea grown in the local area of Gisakura.

Saddle up and explore the beautiful surrounds of our property, with the breeze in your hair, at a pace that suits you. There are a few hills around and some dirt track riding, but let your friendly guide know and we can tailor the journey to your comfort levels.

‘Umuganda’ has roots back to Rwanda’s independence, and is now a nationwide program where citizens devote the last Saturday morning of every month to working in the local community. From developing infrastructure to environmental protection, you can elect to take part in this positive initiative, giving back to the communities of Nyungwe and getting to know the local people in a uniquely hands-on way.

There’s fun for all the family as you dabble in the ancient sport of archery. Located on a hilltop in our property’s tea plantation, prepare to breathe in the fabulous views as you enjoy a refreshing cold drink and set your sights on the bullseye – ready, aim, fire!

Is an art form popular in Rwanda traditionally made by women using cow dung. Often in the colors black, white and red, popular themes include spiral and geometric designs that are painted on walls, pottery, and canvas.