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Bisate Lodge is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone and has dramatic views of the peaks of the volcanoes Bisoke and Karisimbi rearing up through the Afro-alpine forests of nearby Volcanoes National Park. Six luxurious en-suite villas maximise comfort and views while retaining environmental principles and reflecting the culture of rural Rwanda. Each guest contributes to Bisate’s biodiversity conservation and local community projects – making a far-reaching impact on an iconic Critically Endangered species: the mountain gorilla.
Aside from tracking one of the several habituated gorilla groups, activities include visiting nearby natural attractions, hiking to Dian Fossey’s grave, and observing the Park’s group of endangered endemic golden monkeys. Walks on Bisate’s property offer birding and participation in the reforestation programme.
Accommodation at Bisate
Bisate’s sophisticated architectural and interior design is rooted in Rwandan building tradition. The spherical, synthetic thatched structure echoes the thousands of hills that dot the Rwandan landscape. While the richly detailed interior exhibits surfaces and screens made from a variety of woven materials with strong resonance in Rwandan culture.
Each 91 square metre Forest Villa consists of a generous yet intimate combination of bedroom, lounge space and bathroom. All warmed by a central fireplace and with breath taking views out across your private deck towards Mount Bisoke. With only six villas, the real generosity in the Rwandan context is the amount of private and exclusive space that surrounds Bisate, cosseting it in a rare natural landscape brimming with Albertine Rift biodiversity and beauty.
Twin/Double Villas
Although spacious (each villa measures 91 square metres), the Forest Villas feel warm and intimate, thanks to the carefully designed layout which includes a reception area, luxury bedroom and en-suite bathroom – all warmed by a generous central fireplace.
With only six villas, the true luxury lies in the exclusivity and privacy that surrounds Bisate and the rare, raw beauty of its setting, tucked into the phenomenal abundance of Albertine Rift biodiversity with glorious views in every direction.
Property Facilities
Bar
Room Facilities
Bath, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fireplace, Hair Dryer, Heated Towel Rails, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
Credit Card Facilities
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Massages, Natural History Tours, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Cultural Tours, Gorilla Tracking, Historical Tours
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.
