Bisate lodge

Rwanda, Africa

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Philosophy & sustainability

Bisate’s vision of reforestation and rehabilitation means that each guest contributes to bio-diversity conservation and local community upliftment – making a far-reaching positive impact on an iconic endangered species: the mountain gorilla.

Location

Bisate is Rwanda’s first genuinely luxurious and eco-sensitive safari lodge, centred on Africa’s most immersive wild primate experience.

Bisate Lodge, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with a pioneering vision of reforestation and community partnership.

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Bisate is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone, with dramatic views of the peaks of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes rearing up through Afro-alpine forests. Encountering one of the gorilla groups in the nearby Volcanoes National Park is a unique experience.

Accommodation

Six opulent en-suite Forest Villas maximise comfort and views while adhering to environmentally responsible principles and reflecting the rich culture of rural Rwanda. Bisate is within easy driving distance of the Park Headquarters, from where gorilla treks depart daily. Walks on Bisate’s property offer birding and participation in the reforestation programme.

Activities

Volcanoes National Park itself supports in excess of 70 mammal species in its various alpine and sub-alpine habitats. Of these, the mountain gorilla is the most well-known, but the bamboo forests are a critical habitat for another equally range-restricted and endangered primate, the golden monkey. 

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Black-fronted duiker and bushbuck inhabit the bamboo forests, while the tracks and dung of both buffalo and elephant are commonly seen here as well. Spotting mammals in this habitat is challenging – many are nocturnal, while others are extremely shy – but hikes to Bisoke Crater, Lake Ngezi or Dian Fossey’s grave provide a chance for some of the above-mentioned creatures as well as Carruther’s mountain squirrel and the southern tree hyrax.

Aside from the area’s iconic mountain gorillas, other mammals that call Volcanoes National Park home include the golden monkey, side-striped jackal, serval, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, elephant, tree hyrax, bushbuck and Egyptian mongoose. A variety of squirrel and genet species are also to be found here. Of the 178 bird species in the area, at least 13 are endemic to the Virunga area such as Archer’s robin chat, mountain black boubou, strange weaver, Rwenzori batis, mountain masked apalis and Rwenzori (collared) apalis.

Meet the Community. Guided visit to the nearby community and members of the coopera-tive, including the farmers who cultivate and sell their vegetables to Bisate.

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

Gorilla Trekking. Gorilla trekking takes place from Volcanoes National Park headquarters where guests are allocated to one of the twelve habituated gorilla groups for a one-hour encounter.

Guided Walks in Volcanoes National Park. A full-day guided hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke (3 711m) can be strenuous but is worth the effort, offering sweeping views of the rainforest and crater lake.

Nursery Visit and Tree Planting. One of the Bisate agronomists will show you around this tree nursery and help you will show you around his tree nursery and help you plant a sapling as part of our reforestation project.

Hike to Dian Fossey’s Grave and Karisoke. A spectacular, challenging hike to Dian Fos-sey’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.

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