BISATE LODGE – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Bisate Lodge is a luxurious lodge set adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park in north west Rwanda and has dramatic views of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcano peaks rising through the ancient forests of the park.

The lodge has just six opulent and very comfortable ensuite Forest Villas warmed by a central fireplace which all have stunning views from the deck and the main area has a lounge, dining and bar area, wine cellar and viewing deck. Both the architecture and interiors are rooted in Rwandan cultural traditions.

Bisate is within easy driving distance of Park Headquarters where the gorilla treks depart daily and activities include a visit to the local community, trekking to see golden monkeys, enjoying the superb birdlife, helping to reforest the area and visiting the gorilla guardian village, the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera and Dian Fossey’s burial site.

The lodge’s vision of reforestation and rehabilitation means that just by staying at Bisate you will contribute to biodiversity conservation and local community upliftment – with a positive impact on the iconic endangered mountain gorilla population in the area.

LOCATION

Bistate Lodge is located just outside the Volcanoes National Park in north western Rwanda.  Access is either by road transfer from Kigali which takes around 2.5 hours or you can opt for a helicopter transfer which takes around 25 minutes.

LODGE

Bisate Lodge is one of the most innovative, responsible, visionary and luxurious lodges from which to trek to see gorillas and golden monkeys and is set in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone with dramatic views of the peaks of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes.

The lodge’s architectural and interior design is rooted in Rwandan building tradition and the spherical, synthetic 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 links to Rwandan culture.

Each Forest Villa has a generous combination of bedroom, reception space and bathroom – all warmed by a central fireplace and with stunning views out across your private deck towards Mount Bisoke. The rooms have a cosy seating area with easy chairs, a luggage rack, tea and coffee making facilities, an electronic safe and a minibar.

The ensuite bathrooms have an indoor shower, a bathtub, double basin vanity and separate toilet. Bathrobes, liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, insect repellent, shower caps, vanity kit with cotton tipped swabs and cotton balls, tissue dispenser, washing powder (for smalls), umbrella and room spray are supplied in each villa.  There is complimentary WIFI in the villas only.

Steep stone steps and pathways link the villas to the main area which is beautifully decorated and has a lounge, dining and bar area, wine cellar and viewing deck.  Both the architecture and interiors are rooted in Rwandan cultural traditions while retaining environmental principles.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Bisate is within easy driving distance of Park Headquarters from where gorilla treks depart daily. Walks on Bisate’s extensive property offer birding and participation in the reforestation programme.  Other places to see include Iby’wacu cultural village, the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera, the lava tunnels of the Musanze Caves, and Dian Fossey’s grave.

Aside from the area’s iconic mountain gorillas, other mammals 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.

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.

Gorilla Trekking – takes place from Volcanoes National Park headquarters where guests are allocated one of the twelve habituated gorilla families to visit for an hour.

Golden Monkey Trekking – hike to see the golden monkeys which are endemic to the area and live in groups of up to 30 individuals in the Park’s bamboo forest.

Guided Community Walk with the Farmers – who are part of the cooperative that cultivate and sell their vegetables to Bisate Lodge.  Bisate’s agronomist, Jean-Moise, will introduce you to his tree nursery and help you plant a sapling as part of our reforestation project.

A full-day guided hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke (3 711 m) – is strenuous but extremely beautiful, offering sweeping views of the rainforest and crater lake.

Hike to Dian Fossey’s grave site – and visit the ruins of Karisoke Research Centre set in the saddle of Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes at an elevation of some 3 000 metres.

GIVING BACK

Bisate’s core purpose is the physical expansion of Volcanoes National Park thereby increasing the population of critically endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

Through partnerships with the surrounding community over 200 people from the local community were temporarily employed on the property’s construction while currently 24 community members are permanently employed and trained. A community cooperative has been formed for equitable procurement of fresh produce and other goods from land adjacent to the site.

One of the most exciting initiatives is the reforestation of 43 hectares (103 acres) of land in a phased approach. This area is set to mimic the volcanoes’ natural vegetation zones with a bamboo forest at the lower level while further up hagenia and dombea trees, amongst others, will recreate the atmosphere of indigenous rainforest and will lead to a natural recolonisation of the reforested land by endemic and indigenous wildlife.

Bisate is powered by grid electricity that is derived from hydropower so there are no indirect carbon emissions. This eliminates the use of diesel to generate power avoiding the potential risks of transporting fuel into camp. Thermodynamic geysers are used to heat water.

Wastewater (sewage and grey water) is treated in an above ground sewage plant ensuring that the water is clean before entering the natural system. Rainwater is harvested in addition to using water saving devices throughout the camp. In order to reduce use of bottled water reverse osmosis filtration is done on site to provide you with high-quality drinking water. Like all Wilderness camps Bisate Lodge is managed and monitored against very strict in-house environmental standards – so only approved eco-friendly detergents and chemicals are used.

BISATE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY CHILDREN AGED 15 YEARS AND OLDER CAN TREK TO SEE THE GORILLAS