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Bisate Lodge

Bisate Lodge, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with a pioneering vision of reforestation and community partnership.


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Bisate Lodge

Bisate Lodge

Why we Love Bisate Lodge

Bisate Lodge, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with a pioneering vision of reforestation and community partnership.

Destination: Emporium-Safari 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 Emporium-Safari 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 Emporium-Safari.

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.   

Emporium-Safari Bisate:

Since opening in 2017, Emporium-Safari 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. 

Bisate Lodge, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with a pioneering vision of reforestation and community partnership.

Amenities

  • Access by air
  • Access by road
  • Child friendly
  • Cultural offering
  • Guided Walks
  • Malaria area

Activities

Emporium-Safari 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 Emporium-Safari 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.

Emporium-Safari 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.

Emporium-Safari Bisate – Guided Walks In Volcanoes National Park

Set on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, and an easy drive to the park gate, Emporium-Safari 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.

Emporium-Safari Bisate – Nursery Visit & Tree Planting

One of the Emporium-Safari 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.

Emporium-Safari 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 Emporium-Safari Bisate.

Emporium-Safari 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.

Emporium-Safari 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 Emporium-Safari 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.

All Volcanoes National Park activities require permits (per person) at additional cost. The private gorilla trek is at a further additional cost.

Emporium-Safari Bisate – Emporium-Safari & Olympus, A Visionary Partnership

Emporium-Safari and Olympus have joined forces to use their high-end services and combined passion for wildlife photography to ensure the ongoing conservation and protection of Africa’s remote Emporium-Safari areas, whilst contributing to the empowerment of local people through conservation education.

We are proud to partner with a like-minded company like Olympus. Together we not only share a love of wildlife photography, we hold a similar set of values and ideals about making a bigger, positive impact on the world and our place in it.

The Olympus Tough TG-5 camera is the ultimate partner for the most challenging adventures, like gorilla trekking or any other activities in Volcanoes National Park. The Olympus Tough! Camera is waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, freeze proof, and dustproof for adventure travels. It features 4K video and RAW capture for the perfect pictures, and videos, whilst exploring. The waterproof performance allows one to take the best pictures in the rainforest, and the camera is robust with an interior protective structure. The cameras ability to deal with low light is key to a great image of the gorillas, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. The camera is lightweight and easy to operate, ideal for hiking or to use during a community village visit at Bisate.

Olympus Photo Hub experience dependent on camera availability.

Emporium-Safari 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 Emporium-Safari Bisate or Emporium-Safari 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.

Facilities

Property Facilities

  • Bar

Room Facilities

  • Electrical Outlets

  • En-Suite

  • Hair Dryer

  • Fireplace

  • Heated Towel Rails

  • Internet Access (Complimentary)

  • Laundry Service (Complimentary)

  • Mini Bar

  • Safe

  • Tea / Coffee

  • Verandah

Available Services

  • Credit Card

  • Activities on Site

  • Bird Watching

  • Massages

  • Natural History Tours

  • Walks (Guided)

Activities Nearby

  • Cultural Tours

  • Gorilla Tracking

  • Historical Tours

F&Q

How many awards has Bisate received since opening?

Bisate possesses a total of 34 awards since its opening in 2017.

What is the primary purpose of Bisate's reforestation project?

Bisate's reforestation project serves to preserve and expand the iconic wild lands of Rwanda, allowing guests to actively participate by planting a tree.

What is Bisate's Kwanda and where is it located?

Bisate's Kwanda is a day lounge located in the organic vegetable garden of the Bisate lodge, providing guests with a place to rest and enjoy healthy meals or activities like massages.

What is the tourism value of Bisate's location in proximity to the nearby Volcanoes National Park?

Bisate boasts an unfenced, untamed and incomparable location for experiencing rare species like mountain gorillas or local Rwandan culture.

What offsite adventures/activities are available from Bisate?

In addition to the famous Gorilla and Golden Monkey treks offered by Bisate, guests may also explore the Dian Fossey grave site or hike Mount Bisoke for stunning crater lake views.

What local food sourcing initiatives does Bisate have?

Bisate's restaurant menu is predominantly sourced from the lodge's own garden or nearby farming communities and focuses on sustainability and freshness.

What unique social good opportunities come with a stay at Bisate?

Besides participating in Bisate's reforestation project, guests may also donate to Bisate's community initiatives like the 'Plant a Vegetable Garden and Support Families' program.

What type of buildings make up the Bisate lodge?

The Bisate lodge features six forest villas with a treehouse-like design to reflect the elegance of Rwandan royalty and a main central building for dining, recreational and lodging services.

What type of technology and services are available for guests at Bisate?

Guests can enjoy complimentary WiFi for personal or business use, with more specialized needs like helicopter safaris or access to Lakes Mobutu and Laberge also possible with Wilderness Air assistance.

What forms of environmental sustainability does Bisate prioritize?

Bisate places an emphasis on water and energy conservation, recycling and waste management, and community involvement and education to preserve the local ecosystem.


Amenities

Amenities Not Found

Address

Internet

Transportation and transfer

Transfer : subject to supplement

Smooking policy

Smooking rooms:

Rooms

190 rooms and suites

In-room amenities : iPod dock, flatscreen TV, in-room safe, minibar

Available services

Air conditioned hotel

Laundry service

Concirge service

Corona Conscious

Handpicked Collection

Personalize Service

Perks & Offers

Price Matching

Trusted by Visa

Secure Booking

C.M

United States

8.68/10

We love the hotel and its location. The front desk staff was extremely pleasant. The breakfast staff are very friendly and efficient.

P.M

United Kingdom

9.03/10

Fantastic hotel, great atmosphere, room upgrade was much appreciated. All the staff I interacted with were great. One of the best hotel experiences I have ever had I would unreservedly recommend the hotel and will return.

G.P

United Kingdom

9.68/10

Probably the best City hotel weve stayed at. Alal Gogo was particularly outstanding. He managed to arrange for us to attend the Woody Allan Band show with our guest (who is a musician) even when it had been booked out and was very courteous throughout. Thank you so muclh. A wonderful stay.

C.M

United States

8.68/10

We love the hotel and its location. The front desk staff was extremely pleasant. The breakfast staff are very friendly and efficient.

C.M

United States

8.68/10

We love the hotel and its location. The front desk staff was extremely pleasant. The breakfast staff are very friendly and efficient.

P.M

United Kingdom

9.03/10

Fantastic hotel, great atmosphere, room upgrade was much appreciated. All the staff I interacted with were great. One of the best hotel experiences I have ever had I would unreservedly recommend the hotel and will return.

G.P

United Kingdom

9.68/10

Probably the best City hotel weve stayed at. Alal Gogo was particularly outstanding. He managed to arrange for us to attend the Woody Allan Band show with our guest (who is a musician) even when it had been booked out and was very courteous throughout. Thank you so muclh. A wonderful stay.

C.M

United States

8.68/10

We love the hotel and its location. The front desk staff was extremely pleasant. The breakfast staff are very friendly and efficient.

C.M

United States

8.68/10

We love the hotel and its location. The front desk staff was extremely pleasant. The breakfast staff are very friendly and efficient.

P.M

United Kingdom

9.03/10

Fantastic hotel, great atmosphere, room upgrade was much appreciated. All the staff I interacted with were great. One of the best hotel experiences I have ever had I would unreservedly recommend the hotel and will return.

G.P

United Kingdom

9.68/10

Probably the best City hotel weve stayed at. Alal Gogo was particularly outstanding. He managed to arrange for us to attend the Woody Allan Band show with our guest (who is a musician) even when it had been booked out and was very courteous throughout. Thank you so muclh. A wonderful stay.

C.M

United States

8.68/10

We love the hotel and its location. The front desk staff was extremely pleasant. The breakfast staff are very friendly and efficient.

C.M

United States

8.68/10

We love the hotel and its location. The front desk staff was extremely pleasant. The breakfast staff are very friendly and efficient.

P.M

United Kingdom

9.03/10

Fantastic hotel, great atmosphere, room upgrade was much appreciated. All the staff I interacted with were great. One of the best hotel experiences I have ever had I would unreservedly recommend the hotel and will return.

G.P

United Kingdom

9.68/10

Probably the best City hotel weve stayed at. Alal Gogo was particularly outstanding. He managed to arrange for us to attend the Woody Allan Band show with our guest (who is a musician) even when it had been booked out and was very courteous throughout. Thank youa so muclh. A wonderful stay.

C.M

United States

8.68/10

We love the hotel and its location. The front desk staff was extremely pleasant. The breakfast staff are very friendly and efficient.

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