Wilderness Bisate
Wilderness Bisate Is A Luxury Lodge Located On A Steep Hillside On The Edge Of The Volcanoes National Park, Facing Mount Bisoke Volcano.
Wilderness Bisate is a five star and very exclusive establishment which maintains the feel of an authentic safari lodge in keeping with its surroundings. The lodge is situated close to the entrance to Volcanoes National Park, with wonderful views of the Virunga Volcanoes, and so makes for a very convenient base for gorilla trekking. The villas are designed to be luxurious on the inside but have been designed with respect to the local environment and culture and blend cleverly into their forest environs. The lodge also has an impressive reforestation project ongoing, which guests are encouraged to get involved in. This is an upscale and exclusive property which still manages to offer a safari ethos.
Rooms
The lodge caters for 12 guests in six spacious, spherical thatched villas built on to elevated decks. All the villas are very comfortably furnished, with fireplaces, ceiling fans, and large en suite bathrooms with plumbed facilities (shower and bath). The villas are perched along the hillside, both below and above the central areas of the lodge, each with a private deck with beautiful views. There are a few steps to manage, especially for rooms that are higher up the slope (5 and 6), and the paths are slightly uneven, being made from local volcanic stones.
Central Areas
Central areas include an open plan lounge, bar and dining area, all leading out to an open deck with views of the surrounding countryside and Mount Bisoke. The Kwanda Day Lounge is set in Bistate’s organic garden (walking distance from the lodge) and allows guests changing and relaxation facilities either before or after standard check in times.
For those keen on indulging in rejuvenation for the body, the Sanctuary at Wilderness Bisate is almost a mini-lodge in itself (shared between the main lodge and Bisate Reserve) dedicated to the art of spa and wellness. Here you’ll find treatment and massage rooms, a heated salt-water indoor lap pool, a steam room, hot-rock sauna and ice bath, heated meditation pods, fully equipped air-conditioned gym, outdoor yoga deck, hydrotherapy lounge and a hair style and blow dry station.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming – No
Habitat & Wildlife
Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) is one of the last remaining strongholds of the endangered Mountain Gorilla and is located in north-western Rwanda on the borders of the DRC and Uganda. It comprises of a group of five volcanoes, the Virungas, which rise to some 15,000 ft above sea level. The steep slopes and valleys provide a variety of rich montane ecosystems – from evergreen and bamboo forest, to mature canopy forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.
The Parc National Des Volcans is the original home of the ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ made famous by Dian Fossey. It is possible to trek to her grave at ‘Karisoke’, the location of her research centre. She named it such due to its location between Karisimbi (the highest of the range) and Bisoke volcanoes.
Aside from the gorillas, the park is also home to the rare Golden monkey, two habituated groups of which can also be visited (must be pre-booked like the gorilla permits). There are also a number of full day treks which can also be undertaken, including the ascent of the Bisoke (3,700m and known for its crater lake), Muhabura (4,107m) and Gahinga (3,400m) peaks. For an ascent of Karisimbi (4,705m), you’ll need to overnight on the mountain.
There are currently 12 habituated mountain gorilla families. Some groups are considered easier to locate (less walking), though tough walking up and down slopes through thick vegetation should still be expected, especially if the gorillas are mobile when you find them. A maximum of eight people is taken in each trekking group, and you are led by a local guide. Trekking for gorillas in Rwanda can be slightly easier than in Uganda. However, a good level of fitness is required as the terrain over which tracking takes place is extremely difficult (and remember, you’re already at altitude before you even start trekking). Treks can last anything from an hour (on well-worn tracks which present little difficulty) to well over five hours, traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines, often clambering over nothing but suspended vegetation.
Golden Monkeys occupy the bamboo forests so are much more accessible and treks are usually completed by mid-late morning.
Activities
In addition to the park activities mentioned above (primate viewing and hiking), a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is also very worthwhile (entrance fees payable locally). From the lodge, guided nature trails, birding, guided tours of the nursery and tree-planting activities, visits to local community projects and a tour of the vegetable garden are all included. Visits to a local village and a local market can also be arranged at extra cost.
Our experienced team will provide full details of what to expect for park activities in Volcanoes National Park, including clothing and gear required (most lodges will provide kit and walking sticks are available from the park headquarters), together with regulations for primate viewing and timings.
Seasons
Wilderness Bisate is open year round and trekking is available year round too. However, the best times are from December to March or from June to September.
Children below the age of 15 years are not accepted at Wilderness Bisate. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years but children would need to be comfortable with staying in their own room and with the very physical requirements of gorilla trekking to enjoy a family safari to this destination.
The vision of Bisate is to be a model of sustainable hospitality and conservation in Rwanda. Every guest stay at Bisate contributes biodiversity initiatives, local community upliftment projects, and making a far-reaching positive impact on an iconic endangered species: the mountain gorilla.
Wilderness Bisate has established a reforestation and rehabilitation project – a milestone 100,000 trees had been planted by the end of 2024 and forward targets are to double that number, and double again, the number of trees by 2030. Guests are invited to participate in the project by planting a tree themselves and leaving a legacy.
Wilderness Bisate also partners with the local community, helping uplift economic prospects through sustainable tourism, artisanal collaborations, and agricultural initiatives. One of the main projects currently is a firewood and charcoal initiative with their three local villages – the aim is to remove invasive species of trees, and turn them into firewood and charcoal to heat the Wilderness properties in the area.
