Bisate Lodge

Bisate Lodge, a six-room sanctuary of wilderness and adventure, sets a new standard for luxury in Rwanda. The word 'bisate' means ‘pieces’ in Kinyarwanda, and describes the staccato beauty of the eroded landscape on which the lodge sits.

The lodge is a visionary conservation tourism project, with a focus on local community and indigenous reforestation. The six round villas have a fresh and fun feel: each comes with a tipped roof, walls clad with dried and woven grass matting, wooden floors and bright fabrics. Huge bathrooms have a black resin bath tub in the centre.

All meals are eaten in the restaurant or on the adjoining terrace.

Alongside gorilla trekking, there are also opportunities to see golden monkey troops, lava tunnels, local villages, and nearby lakes. Every guest is invited to participate in biodiversity conservation efforts and engage with the local community.

Bisate Lodge Information

Location & Getting There

Bisate Lodge occupies a unique location in the natural amphitheatre of an extinct volcanic cone, offering stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes. International flights arrive at Kigali International Airport, a 2.5-hour drive.

Accommodation

Bisate Lodge raises the bar on the luxury wilderness lodge. Up to twelve guests stay in six sumptuous guest villas that maximise comfort, warmth, and panoramic views, while supporting sustainable environmental principles and reflecting the culture of surrounding rural Rwanda.

Smooth herringbone floors span the room to meet concave walls rising up to an airy dome overhead. Sumptuous natural textiles like cotton, linen, and hide soften the sleek lines of the wood furniture, expertly placed to maximise space and light. Fabrics are a feast for the eyes, interpreting traditional Rwandan ‘kitenge’ patterns in contemporary palettes and styles. The enormous ensuite bathrooms command an appreciation all their own. More luxury dressing room, than bathroom, the spaces include walk-in showers, comfortable seating, glamourous chandeliers, and freestanding tubs that take centre stage.

Activities

Sitting adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, Bisate Lodge is ideally located for encounters with the majestic mountain gorilla. More than half the world’s population of this endangered species lives in the Virunga Mountains located within the park, giving guests an unprecedented opportunity to observe these extraordinary animals in the wild.

Set out on morning treks to spot the imposing creatures, then scale down with a walk to visit golden monkey troops. Hike to Dian Fossey’s grave and former research station. Spend a full day trekking to the top of one of the three volcanoes nearby. Visit lava tunnels, local villages, and nearby lakes. Every guest at Bisate Lodge is invited to participate in biodiversity conservation efforts and engage with the local community, creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences that leave the land, the locals, and the visitors, forever changed.

Children

Bisate Lodge is not suitable for very young children. Older children are welcome to join and enjoy the wildlife experience.