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Wilderness Bisate Lodge

Positive impact

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Wilderness Bisate Lodge

Unique forest villas with panoramic views

  • Lodge

A luxurious architectural marvel with mountain gorillas for neighbours

Utterly unique in its design, six sumptuous forest villas are luxurious while retaining environmental principles and reflecting the culture of Rwanda. Each has a generous yet intimate combination of bedroom, reception space and bathroom, heated by a central fireplace and a private deck looking out to Mount Bisoke.

The spherical stone and thatch architecture, said to be inspired by the Royal Palace of traditional monarchs, continues through to the communal areas such as the dining room, bar and spa, detailed with a variety of woven materials, local crafts and more modern touches. In The Sanctuary, a grounding wellness space complete with spa and exercise spaces, you can take the time to relax after days in the forest. Choose from their signature menu of wellness and beauty treatments to reinvigorate body and mind.

Wilderness Bisate is a short drive to the national park’s headquarters, from where gorilla treks depart daily, and you can also embark upon forest hikes to see rare Golden Monkeys and other wildlife. Visit the site of Dian Fossey’s research camp and grave, meet the community on guided village walks, plant a tree as part of the Wilderness Bisate’s reforestation project or perhaps tag along with the chef to the local market to buy ingredients for dinner.

  • A formal dinner table setting on a wooden deck overlooking a mountain valley during a golden sunset.
  • A man in a green uniform smiles while kneeling among rows of small green plants in a nursery.
  • A hillside view of thatched-roof villas tucked away in thick green forest under a clear sky.
  • Relaxation space with reclining chairs and fire pit at The Sanctuary at Wilderness Bisate
  • Interior of a luxury lodge with a large bed, woven ceiling decor, and glass doors leading to a balcony.
  • Several round thatched-roof buildings integrated into a dense, green forest on a hillside at dusk.
  • A photographer takes a picture of a large black gorilla hanging from a tree in a bamboo forest.
  • A woman giving a back massage to a person at The Sanctuary at Wilderness Bisate

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The impact of your stay:

Originally spanning 28,000 hectares, Gishwati Forest dwindled to just 886 hectares, a 98% reduction post-genocide and refugee return. This loss led to a significant biodiversity decline. Wilderness Bisate encourages guests to join the reforestation programme, offering visits to the indigenous tree nursery and bamboo greenhouse. Guests learn about various tree species, ongoing reforestation, and can actively contribute by picking saplings and planting their own trees. The reforestation programme at Bisate has proven successful as mountain gorillas now explore the regenerated area beyond the park boundaries. A notable achievement occurred when the lodge realised it had hosted its first forest elephant. Further confirmation of the program’s impact on expanding wildlife habitat came from trail cameras capturing images of various species, including iconic golden monkeys, servals, buffalos, side-striped jackals, and numerous forest bird species. These animals, typically residents of the neighbouring Volcanoes National Park (VNP), have now established themselves on the recently reforested grounds. Wilderness Bisate Lodge fosters a strong connection with the Bisate Community Committee, employing a collaborative and participatory approach to decision-making. This ensures that their initiatives have the most significant and pertinent impact possible.

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