Vibrant Holiday Safaris takes you through Bisate Lodge which is a lavish sanctuary, with six forest villas in a secluded location, just outside the southern border of Volcanoes National Park. The lodge is close to the town of Musanze, and just a 20-minute drive from the park headquarters, putting Bisate in a great position for trekking access.
As the lodge faces Bisoke Volcano, it offers some remarkable views. Some of the villas also have a view of two other prominent volcanoes, Mikeno and Karisimbi. The lodge itself is actually situated within a very small volcanic cone of its own – which thankfully has been extinct for a long time – the word ‘bisate’ means ‘pieces’ in English.
The lodge has been built within a 43-hectare plot of former farmland. The team at Bisate have worked very hard on a reforestation project, involving the removal of invasive species to regenerate the area with indigenous plants. This was in full swing when we stayed in December 2019, and fantastic to see. A tree nursery has also been developed and over 20,000 trees have been planted. Guests are welcome to visit the nursery with the in-house agronomist and learn more about the project.
The reforestation project should, in time, attract several types of small antelope and numerous bird species to the area. There are two short nature trails on the property which guests can walk without a guide. These follow the eroded crater rim and from here it is definitely worth getting up early to watch the sunrise.
The unique design of the lodge is inspired by the King’s Palace in Butare, with beautiful thatched pods that we found reminiscent of the weaver bird nests found beside many Rwandese rivers. Unusually, the thatch is synthetic, using recycled plastic. This is apparently more durable than traditional grass thatch, and also has very good insulating qualities – beneficial at this altitude during the cold winter months. We don’t know of another lodge in Africa using synthetic thatch quite like this.
Each of the six forest villas at Bisate Lodge has a small cloakroom in which to leave your boots (inevitably muddy after a morning trekking!), before opening into a spacious lounge and bedroom area. The rooms are very modern in design, and have a large double or twin beds, plus a seating area which can be used as a daybed, and a big fireplace. There is a mini bar and tea/coffee station, a writing desk and a tablet loaded with lodge information, and details on local community projects, the resident gorilla groups; Rwanda in general; the country’s history; and bird and local wildlife species checklists.
The spacious en-suite bathrooms each have twin sinks, a shower and a freestanding bath tub, as well as many of the extra little touches you’d expect from such a high-end lodge, including bathrobes, slippers and Africology toiletries. Each villa has an outside balcony seating area. In-room massages can be provided, and may be welcome after trekking!
The main area of Bisate is built in the same thatched style, with three large ‘nests’, featuring a restaurant on one side, a lounge bar to the other and a reception in the centre. In the reception area guests are able to learn about the lodge’s involvement in local projects and initiatives, and also about the local flora and fauna. Here you will also find a small selection of souvenirs and curios for sale, all locally made and sourced.
The restaurant area has an indoor and outdoor seating area. A wine cellar has been built beneath the restaurant, with wine tastings an additional feature of the lodge. There is a library with one of the world’s largest private collections of primate reference books. In the library there is also a television, which is used for showing nature documentaries.
Facilities at Bisate Lodge
Property facilities
Bar
Room facilities
Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fireplace, Hair Dryer, Heated Towel Rails, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Activities on site
Bird Watching, Massages, Natural History Tours, Walks (Guided)
Nearby activities
Cultural Tours, Gorilla Tracking, Historical Tours
Room types at Bisate Lodge
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.
Activities at Bisate Lodge
Wilderness Bisate – Bisate Kwanda Offering
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.
Wilderness Bisate – Golden Monkey Trekking
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.
Wilderness Bisate – Gorilla Trekking *
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.
Wilderness Bisate – Guided Walks In Volcanoes National Park
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.
Wilderness Bisate – Hike To Dian Fossey’s Grave & Karisoke
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.
Wilderness Bisate – Meet The Community
Guided visit to the nearby community and members of the cooperative, including the farmers who cultivate and sell their vegetables to Wilderness Bisate.
Wilderness Bisate – Nursery Visit & Tree Planting
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.