Bisate Lodge opens its doors in Rwanda

We’re excited about Bisate Lodge, owned by Wilderness Safaris, that’s opened in Rwanda.

Perched on the mountain like weaver bird nests, the six villas are a mix of local craftsmanship and modern design. With its contemporary design, Bisate Lodge is a refreshing step away from the traditional safari lodges we know so well. Even the interiors are unique; showing off organic, spherical shapes and thatched roofs, and stone stairs with elevated wooden desks.

What to do there?

Gorilla trekking from the headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park to spend time with one of the 13 habituated gorilla families (ranging between 8 – 29 gorillas in each group)
Golden Monkey trekking from the headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park, which is endemic to this area
Guided hikes in Volcanoes National Park and guided community hikes in the surrounding villages
Dian Fossey’s grave and research centre outing
Visit the nursery – and leave your mark – by planting a tree
Rwandan coffee, tea and wine tasting
Guided or self-guided nature and birding walks

Is it an eco-friendly and sustainable lodge?

Wilderness Safaris’ company ethos is all about conservation by protecting wildlife and supporting the local communities where they set up lodges.

It’s a balancing act: to provide jobs for locals and be the guardians of responsible tourism. Yet, it appears that Wilderness Safaris is doing well.

Sarah Hepola recently wrote in an article for Bloomberg, “About 250 locals helped build the property, and 45 Rwandans were hired as permanent staff, almost half from the village.”

The lodge is also planning to collect rainwater and reuse it as greywater for toilet and shower usage, and avoid plastic at the lodge as much as possible by offering guests reusable drinking bottles.

What does the lodge look like?

Built near a small town, Bisate Lodge is made up of six 91-square-meters villas in an eroded volcanic cone. The villas are shaped like chestnuts or weaver birds’ nests, designed by Nicholas Plewman Architects. Local materials have been used throughout: parquet floors made of local blackwood, black volcanic brick, woven walls, etc.

Inside, there’s a glamour present – large bottle-green glass chandeliers dangle from ceilings and nature-inspired décor meets textured walls and bespoke furniture. The main area has a restaurant, lounge bar and reception in different ‘nests’.

Each suite has a cloakroom (for muddy shoes after gorilla trekking), a spacious lounge and bedroom area with double or twin beds, a daybed, and a fireplace. There’s also a large bathroom with shower and bathtub. There are many extra touches from a high-end lodge as you would expect.

How to get there?

Kigali International Airport is the closest airport to the lodge, and from there you can get to Bisate by road or helicopter.

Road transfer: 3 hours
Helicopter: 30 minutes

What does it cost?

A one-night stay at Bisate Lodge in Rwanda starts at $1,100 per person. Price includes three meals per day and drinks. Gorilla permits are $1,500 per person.