Adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, Bisate, a Wilderness camp, is made up of a series of spherical fiber-thatched pods with domed roofs, including six sophisticated forest villas built into an eroded volcanic cone. They take their design inspiration from the King’s Palace at Nyanza, home to Rwanda’s last traditional monarchs. Each suite has a bedroom area and a grand bathroom with a deep soaking tub and a shower carved out of volcanic rock, and both have knock-out views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Interiors draw on Rwandan craftsmanship, incorporating woven baskets and colorful kitenge fabrics, and the emerald green in the chandeliers, made locally from recycled glass, reflects the green hills of Rwanda’s countryside. Imigongo tiles with geometric patterns appear in spaces like the wine cellar, where guests can have a private meal. This is the place to base yourself for gorilla-trekking, with visits to local villages and lakes, birding walks and participating in Bisate’s forest rehabilitation program.
The Standout: The attentive Rwandan team, who make Bisate visitors feel immediately at home Don’t Miss: A traditional Dusabane dinner with local cuisine served in peace baskets
Indagare Loves
The suites with incredible views of nearby volcanoes
The wine cellar, which is decorated with geometric patterned tiles and is a perfect spot for a private meal
Spending time and planting a sapling with the lodge’s agronomist, who is in charge of an ambitious reforestation project
The warm and friendly staff, who make a stay at Bisate feel more like one at a friend’s home
Bisate Lodge Review
On a stunning hillside near Volcanoes National Park, a series of thatched huts that resemble peanut shells appear almost like a mirage. Volcanic stone steps lead up to the main building, which houses the lounge, bar, dining area and the lodge’s six suites. Fiber-thatch, which looks like leaf thatch but is made from recycled plastic strips, adorns each structure and is a testament to the focus on sustainable design throughout Bisate. Volcanic stone walls and fireplaces emphasize the grandeur and the durability of the surrounding volcanoes, which are always on view from the terraces, where black and white striped chairs and loungers invite all-day lingering before and after gorilla-trekking.
The six suites consist of a bedroom area and a large bathroom with a soaking tub, both with knock-out views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Interiors draw on traditional elements of Rwanda such as the bright colorful fabrics of the Great Lakes region. The emerald green in the chandeliers of recycled glass pay tribute to the deep green hills of Rwanda’s countryside. The traditional craft, Imigongo—geometric-patterned tiles made from cow dung—appear in spaces like the wine cellar, which is a perfect spot for a private meal. The culinary program at Bisate is incredible, given the property’s remoteness: guests can enjoy delicious sweet potato gnocchi and mezze platters at lunch and fare including butternut squash with wild rice, chickpeas and feta for dinner.
While the rates at Bisate do not include gorilla permits, which must be arranged separately, activities offered by the lodge include trekking to see the gorillas and the golden monkeys but also visiting local villages and lakes, birding walks and participating in the forest rehabilitation program. The lodge has an agronomist who is in charge of an ambitious reforestation project, and guests can spend time meeting with him and planting a sapling to help increase the gorilla habitat. And after a long day of trekking, there’s no better way to relax than with an in-room massage.
It is common on a visit to Volcanoes to primate trek on your final day in the region (often before flying out of the country on late flights that same day) and all lodges have early check-out times. To solve this problem, Bisate recently unveiled a first-of-its-kind stylish new day lounge called Kwanda located at the base of Bisate Lodge. Kwanda offers four spacious en-suite relaxation rooms, each with a bathroom and lounge area allowing guests to shower and change or also opt for an in-room massage before leaving property. The lounge has a spacious circular open-plan featuring a traditional center fireplace, comfortable leather couches for lounging and the Bisate Boutique, which is stocked with local art and artisanal crafts. Guests can also enjoy lunch at the Bisate Kwanda restaurant (don’t miss the pizzas from Bisate’s brand new pizza oven!), which has both indoor and outdoor seating – the lounge is set in Bisate’s organic vegetable garden. The day lounge makes it even more challenging to leave the property and this option also prevents guests from needing to pay for a day-room once back in Kigali before flights out of the country. A win-win all around.
Who Should Stay
Those seeking both adventure, authenticity and ultimate intimacy and luxury.
Who Should Not Stay
Anyone with mobility issues; there are a lot of steps to climb to and from rooms. Also larger groups or people who are looking for a communal experience with other guests, as rooms are spread out and the emphasis is more on privacy than camaraderie. This lodge is also not for those looking for the amenities of a larger resort. If a spa, pool and wellness center are of interest than One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is the better option. Contact Indagare or your Trip Designer for assistance reserving this hotel
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Courtesy Wilderness Safari Camps
Courtesy Wilderness Safari Camps
Courtesy Wilderness Safari Camps
Courtesy Wilderness Safari Camps
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