Luxury Lodges · Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Wilderness Bisate
Overview
Highlights
- The ultimate destination for mountain gorilla encounters.
- Award-winning, sustainable lodge with breath-taking views of six volcanoes, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park.
- The first of its kind in Rwanda, Bisate Kwanda (day lounge) accommodates earlier arrivals and later departures in comfort and style.
Destination: Wilderness Bisate’s six Forest Villas, tucked into a swathe of rehabilitated Virunga Massif cloudforest, are exceptional, inside and out. Perched dramatically on the edge of an eroded volcanic crater at Volcanoes National Park in north-western Rwanda, the lodge has breath-taking views of the brooding Bisate and Karisimbi volcanic peaks, and is within easy driving distance of the park’s headquarters, where daily gorilla treks begin.
Experience: While spending an hour with the mountain gorillas is no doubt the star attraction, there are many other thrilling encounters that await you at Volcanoes National Park and surroundings – from golden monkey trekking to climbing Mount Bisoke, hiking to the ruin of Dian Fossey’s research centre, and her burial site, to visiting the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Closer to home at Wilderness Bisate, guests will discover incredible birdlife on our nature trails, and can plant a tree towards Bisate’s visionary reforestation project, or visit the surrounding communities, who form an integral part of our shared purpose – to preserve, empower and expand these iconic wild lands.
Traditional dining is equally inspired. Fresh, locally sourced, health-conscious cuisine is served with exuberant hospitality, completing an unforgettable guest experience.
Purpose: Every moment of your stay at Bisate will remind you of our shared purpose to preserve, expand and protect this iconic wilderness.
From our pioneering reforestation project and local community upliftment programmes to our rehabilitation initiatives, every guest has the opportunity to join in our shared vision.
Wildlife: Volcanoes National Park provides a sanctuary to hundreds of the world’s 1 000 or so Endangered mountain gorillas. It is also home to the golden monkey, side-striped jackal, serval, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, elephant, tree hyrax, bushbuck and Egyptian mongoose. Genets and squirrels can also be found here.
Bright and beautiful sunbirds like the Rwenzori double-collared can be spotted here, along with over 200 other bird species (13 of which are endemic to the Virunga area). These include the Archer’s robin chat, mountain black boubou, strange weaver, mountain masked apalis and Rwenzori (collared) apalis.
Testament to our ongoing conservation and reforestation efforts, many of these species can now be seen on our property.
Wilderness Bisate: Since opening in 2017, Wilderness Bisate has been awarded numerous accolades for its visionary sustainability impact, and continues to inspire superlatives. Both the architecture of the lodge, and the interiors of the six opulent en-suite Forest Villas elegantly embody the traditions of Rwandan royalty. Edifying cultural interactions, sophisticated, health-conscious dining, and exuberant hospitality all make your stay superior.
The thoughtful architecture is inspired by Rwandan building traditions and beautifully embodies the design of the Rwandan royal palace. The mindful use of local materials further weaves in a truly authentic ambiance.
It’s interesting to note that the spherical, synthetic thatched structures echo the Land of a Thousands Hills, which the Rwandan landscape is renowned for.
Suites & Rates
Choose how you stay
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...
Details
Good to know
Ideal for
Birding, History & Culture, Nature, Wildlife
Property facilities
Bar
Accommodation & amenities
Bath, Electrical Outlets, Fireplace, Heated Towel Rails, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Services
Credit Card Facilities
On-site activities
Bird Watching, Massages, Natural History Tours, Walks (Guided)
Nearby activities
Cultural Tours, Gorilla Tracking, Historical Tours
Location
Where you'll be
Video
See the stay
We Are Wilderness
Discover Earth’s ultimate, untamed places with Wilderness. Let us take you on an unrivalled journey through a collection of the world’s most iconic wild destinations. Our company exists to make sure the world will always have a version of its iconic wild places that is unfenced, wild, unpredictable. It’s not our reputation as one of the first, or the largest, in the conservation tourism space that makes us Wilderness. It’s our determined push to keep going. To keep protecting, exploring and expanding Earth’s ultimate, untamed places. To then bring guests to discover the beating pulse of each one.
Discover Rwanda: The Land Of A Thousand Hills
Discover Rwanda: The Land Of A Thousand HillsExplore an unforgettable Rwanda safari Nothing can prepare you for it. The moment you encounter a mountain gorilla in the wild. As you close in quietly to see a mother cradling her baby, just metres away from you in the legendary mist-shrouded Virunga Mountains, there’s a palpable sense of interconnectedness. From the land, to the wildlife, to the people. Everything is seamlessly woven into every level of the ecosystem. And the ripple effects are seen everywhere.
Activities
What you can do
Wilderness Bisate - The Sanctuary
Wilderness Rwanda is set to elevate the concept of holistic travel with the unveiling of a dedicated wellness centre – The Sanctuary at Wilderness Bisate. Embraced by the country's volcanic highlands and natural beauty of the forested foothills just outside Volcanoes National Park, Bisate's Sanctuary is a serene haven for gorilla trekkers and wellness seekers alike. The Sanctuary has been designed to offer a grounding space where guests can re-centre and unwind. A heated, salt-water indoor lap pool provides both relaxation and quiet reflection, while a steam room and ice bath introduce the revitalising benefits of contrast therapy. Cocoon-like meditation pods offer moments of solitude and stillness. A fully equipped gym and yoga area allow guests to continue movement practices at their own pace, while dedicated body treatment rooms offer signature massages and beauty treatments, including head massages, hair washing, and blow-drying.
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.* All Volcanoes National Park activities require permits (per person) at additional cost.
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.* All Volcanoes National Park activities require permits (per person) at additional cost.
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.
Wilderness Bisate – The Ellen DeGeneres Campus Of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund *
Established in 1967, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund works to protect and study gorillas, and their habitats, as well as to empower people who live near their forest home. With a team of hundreds working in Rwanda and the DRC, the Fossey Fund is the world’s longest-running and largest organisation dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation.In 2022, the organisation moved to its first permanent, purpose built home, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Nestled in a beautiful, reforested landscape near the Volcanoes National Park it is worth visiting, with a stop at the campus easy to add during a stay at Wilderness Bisate or Wilderness Sabyinyo.https://gorillafund.org/ellencampus/* No additional costs besides the entrance fee, and may be experienced either on arrival or departure, or in the afternoon after gorilla trekking.
Ready to plan your stay?
Tell us your dates and we'll handle the rest — flights, transfers and the lodge itself.
Enquire nowKeep exploring
