Bisate Lodge

Bisate’s sophisticated architectural and interior design is rooted in Rwandan building tradition, exemplified in the design of the Royal Palace of the traditional monarch. This spherical thatched structure echoes the thousands of hills that dot the Rwandan landscape. The richly detailed interior exhibits surfaces and screens made from a variety of woven materials with strong resonance in Rwandan culture.

Each Forest Villa consists of a generous yet intimate combination of bedroom, reception 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 in the amount of private and exclusive space that surrounds Bisate, cosseting it in a rare natural landscape brimming with Albertine Rift biodiversity and beauty. The Bisate Lodge camp can accommodate 12 guests in total, sleeping 2 guests per villa with either twin-bedded villas or double bed conversions.

The nearby community, members of the cooperative, and local farmers cultivate and sell their vegetables and produce to Bisate Lodge. This allows Bisate Lodge to create healthy, fresh and delicious dining options. The lunch menu comes with changing daily specials and the dinner menu boasts diverse and varied cuisines – both provide vegetarian options. The chefs are more than happy to cater for dietary requirements and special requests.

The Bisate Lodge dining experience presents guests with incredible service and outstanding, quality cookery. Guests can expect their tastes and needs not only to be satisfied, but to be exceeded. Bisate Lodge also hosts a cocktail hour before dinner, where delightful drinks are served, and memories of the day are shared.

Venture a spectacular, challenging hike to Dian Fossey’s grave 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. Dian Fossey is one of the greatest and most prominent primatologists of the 20th century, considered an authority in all issues related to the endangered mountain gorillas from 1967 till her death in 1985.

For those who love mountain gorillas, visiting the Dian Fossey tomb and gorilla cemetery located near her former Karisoke Research Camp/centre between mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke is a must. Gorilla trekking may be the main attraction while on a tour of Rwanda and the volcanoes national park but visiting the grave of Dian Fossey brings a unique experience. The hike will give you time to reflect on many things and challenge you at a physical, emotional and intellectual level. Whilst hiking to the tomb of Dian Fossey, you will also get a chance to spot rare plants, birds, golden monkeys, forest elephants, buffaloes, antelope and above all a gorilla family along the way.

The hike starts outside the volcanoes national park. Dian Fossey’s Gorilla FundYou will follow the same trail used by visitors hiking mount Bisoke. After about 2900 meters of using the Bisoke trail, you will leave for the trail to the Dian Fossey grave. The area around the graveyard and former Karisoke research site offers stunning views of the Virunga ranges and the DR Congo. Lunch is usually prepared near the site as you rest and prepare to descend back to the starting point. Descending back to the head trail takes between 1 to 2 hours.

Gorilla trekking is the star attraction. Bisate Lodge offers guests the privilege to witness Africa’s most majestic and gentle creatures in the wild, while immersed in the beauty of their pristine natural habitat. This once-in-a-lifetime experience takes place from Volcanoes National Park headquarters, where guests will be allocated one of the twelve habituated gorilla families for a precious-hours encounter. The treks are led by expert guides and all guests will receive a briefing prior to setting off.

Golden Monkey Trekking provides guests with the chance to view this beautifully coloured primate, which is endemic to the area. The Golden Monkey lives in groups of between 30 to 80 individuals within the Park’s bamboo forest.

Simply put, Wilderness Safaris is dedicated to conserving and restoring Africa’s wilderness and wildlife – using high-end ecotourism to do this. Wilderness Safaris model is responsible and sustainable, it changes people’s perspectives on the planet, and inspires those exposed to it to effect positive change in their own lives and own spheres of influence.

The camps are luxurious but are designed to have the lightest possible impact on the environment – meaning if they had to be moved in future, they will leave no trace they were ever there. The safaris change the lives of not only guests, but also staff, neighbouring communities, and the very ecosystems that Wilderness Safaris operate in.

“The ecotourism presence inspires biodiversity conservation. Africa is alone amongst the continents in the existence of a mega-fauna that lives side by side with humans. With some 1,111 mammal species, including an array of large charismatic animals not found anywhere else on Earth, the continent is simply unique. It is also a continent battling population growth, development and extraction of natural resources. If biodiversity cannot demonstrate value, it is all too often overlooked. Ecotourism can and has changed that.”