As the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years, only children of 15 years and older are allowed at Bisate.
Bisate
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Bisate Lodge, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with a pioneering vision of reforestation and community partnership. Bisate is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone, with dramatic views of the peaks of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes rearing up through Afro-alpine forests. Encountering one of the gorilla groups in the nearby Volcanoes National Park is a unique experience.
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Reviews5/6
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Vacation Style Adult Group
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Camp Size 12 guests
All about Bisate
The aim of Bisate is to be a model of sustainable ecotourism in Rwanda. Its reforestation and rehabilitation project has each guest partnering with us in contributing to conservation and local community upliftment, with a positive impact on the iconic endangered mountain gorilla.
Bisate Lodge has dramatic views of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcano peaks rising through the forests of nearby Volcanoes National Park. It is within easy driving distance of Park Headquarters, from where once-in-a-lifetime gorilla treks depart daily. Exploring around Bisate includes community visits, birding, golden monkey trekking, and helping reforest the area, Gorilla Guardian Village, the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera, and Dian Fossey’s grave.
Bisate Lodge, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with a pioneering vision of reforestation and community partnership. Bisate is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone, with dramatic views of the peaks of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes rearing up through Afro-alpine forests. Encountering one of the gorilla groups in the nearby Volcanoes National Park is a unique experience
The en-suite forest villas maximise Comfort and views while adhering to environmentally responsible principles and reflecting the rich culture of rural Rwanda. Bisate is within easy driving distance of the Park Headquarters, from where gorilla treks depart daily. Walks on Bisate’s property offer birding and participation in the reforestation programme. Bisate is Rwanda’s first genuinely luxurious and eco-sensitive safari lodge, centred on Africa’s most immersive wild primate experience.
Aside from the area’s iconic mountain gorillas, other mammals that call Volcanoes National Park home include the golden monkey, side-striped jackal, serval, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, elephant, tree hyrax, bushbuck and Egyptian mongoose. A variety of squirrel and genet species are also to be found here. Of the 178 bird species in the area, at least 13 are endemic to the Virunga area such as Archer’s robin chat, mountain black boubou, strange weaver, Rwenzori batis, mountain masked apalis and Rwenzori (collared) apalis.
About the camp
Activities
- Nature walks and birding walks (both guided and in the forest on the property).
- Guided visit to the community beehive project that is supported by the lodge.
- Guided nursery visit (meet our agronomist) and indigenous tree planting (with a supply of garden gloves available at Bisate should you wish to borrow a pair), including a visit to the Bamboo Greenhouse to see our reforestation efforts.
- Self-guided running trail.
- Wine tasting.
- Sundowners at the main area bar, on the lodge balcony or on the private balcony of each villa with views of the volcanoes.
- Explanation from guides on the biodiversity on the property.
- Documentary film screenings.
- Wilderness Safaris and Olympus Photo Hub experience. LODGE ACTIVITIES OFF SITE (ACCESSED BY WALKING)
- Guided visit to the nursery school at Bisate Village (the school is closed over weekends and during school holidays).
- Guided walks of the surrounding communities to meet with our neighbours (learn about their family lifestyles, community work and organic farming practices).
- Gorilla Viewing/ Treking
Lodge Facilities
- Main lounge, dining area with central fireplace and bar area with viewing deck.
- Wine cellar,
- Curio corner.
- Two pairs of Olympus binoculars in the main area.
- In-villa massage treatments (at an additional cost and minimum age 15 years).
- Balcony with seating area.
- Activities Gorilla Viewing and Trekkig
- Gorilla Viewing Protocols Arrive in KathmanduHabituated groups are interchangeably utilised to provide access per day that may be tracked and observed in the Volcanoes National Park. While trekking expeditions do not necessarily cover enormous distances, these can range in length from 1.0 - 8.0 kilometres (0.5 - 5.0 miles) over very steep country at high altitudes. The undergrowth can be thick, the ground beneath muddy, and, including the time spent with a gorilla group, excursions can last between approximately 2.0 and 8.0 hours. Gorilla viewing protocol is based on the guidelines issued by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) for great ape viewing. Such protocols are designed specifically to limit stress and behavioural impact, as well as potential disease transmission from humans to gorillas. These are critical for gorilla conservation.
- Gorilla Treing Permitss Leave for Pokhara
Accomodation
Each 91 square metre villa has breathtaking views out across a private deck towards Mount Bisoke. With only six villas, the real generosity in the Rwandan context is the amount of private and exclusive space that surrounds Bisate, cosseting it in a rare natural landscape brimming with Albertine Rift biodiversity and beauty.
Number of villas
- 06 x Villas in total comprising:
- 06 x twin-bedded villas, with double bed conversions possible
Villa Descriptions
- En-suite facilities with indoor shower, indoor bath, double basin vanity, heated towel railing and separate toilet.
- Central fireplace, electrical heater, easy chairs, ceiling fan, luggage rack, electronic safe, tea and coffee making facilities, mini-bar, “gym in a basket” [includes a yoga mat, skipping rope and weights (1 x 0.5 kg and 1 x 5.0 kg)].
- Balcony with seating area.
- Complimentary in-villa Wi-Fi.
- Two way emergency radios to contact Lodge Management during the day (e.g. ordering “room” service, book a massage treatment) and at night in the event of an emergency. Said radios are on a closed circuit and inter-villa communication is not available.
- Amenities include, bathrobes, slippers, liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, insect repellent, shower caps, vanity kit with cotton tipped swabs and cotton balls, tissue dispenser, washing powder (for smalls), umbrella and room spray are supplied in each villa.
- Olympus equipment (Tough TG-5 camera, including accessories).
Electricity & Water
Child Policy
Laundry Facilities
Laundry services are provided on a daily basis (weather permitting, items will be returned on the same day) and included on the FI rate basis. Laundry is dried by the sun and on most days any laundry placed out in the morning will be returned, washed, dried and ironed, by the evening.
Due to prevailing local cultural traditions, please place any underwear items in the mesh laundry bag provided, so that these can be machine washed separately. Should guests prefer to hand wash, environmentally friendly detergent is available in the tents or can be provided on request.
As an environmentally-aware company, we strive to reduce our water usage where we can. Since towel washing consumes an enormous amount of water, we follow the same policy used by most top establishments around the world: should guests want their towels washed, we request that guests please place these into the laundry basket/laundry bag supplied. Towels not in the laundry basket/laundry bag will be hung up and dried for their reuse.
Note that laundry services may be limited as a result of water shortages. We cannot be held liable for any damage to clothing.
Gratuities Guidelines
We would like to reiterate that tipping is not compulsory. Guests should not feel obliged to do so. Tipping should be undertaken only by choice, subject to the service received. In addition, guests may wish to add a nominal amount for incidentals, ranging between USD 15.00 to USD 30.00 per day (subject to personal budget choice) - i.e. if additional activities are booked once on their journey, if travel arrangements change for any reason, in acknowledgement of good service received in another area, etc.
Gorilla Trekking Guide/s - We recommend USD 10.00 per person, per trek (usually there are two guides and it is standard practice to tip after each trek).
Porters on Gorilla Trekking - We recommend USD 5.00 per porter, per day (this is optional - wage paid for porter to their association).
The General Safari Lodge Staff - We recommend about USD 10.00 per guest per day. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff or may be left in an envelope with Lodge Management.
With regards to being hosted by Lodge Management and/or Assistant Lodge Management, tipping separately for said staff is purely optional and per guests’ discretion.
| Departure Dates Confirmed Dates | Trip Status Trip Status | Price (PP) Including Flights | Price (PP) Excluding Flights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Available & Guaranteed |
$2,779 |
$3,170 |
|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Booked & Guaranteed |
$2,679 |
$3,970 |
|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Available & Guaranteed |
$1,779 |
$3,470 |
|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Available |
$2,779 |
$3,970 |
|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Booked & Guaranteed |
$3,779 |
$4,970 |
|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Available & Guaranteed |
$2,879 |
$3,970 |
|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Available & Guaranteed |
$2,679 |
$1,970 |
|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Booked & Guaranteed |
$4,779 |
$3,970 |
|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Available & Guaranteed |
$5,779 |
$3,270 |
|
Fri 18 Oct '16 - Sun 04 Nov '16 |
Available & Guaranteed |
$2,779 |
$3,970 |
Electricity is provided from the national power grid and supported by a back-up generator power system. Each forest villa has 220V plug points (multi plug adaptor charging facilities, including USB) for charging of mobile devices, batteries and for the use of sleep apnoea machines. Please bear in mind that power needs to be carefully conserved – lights and electronic equipment should be turned off when not in use. Should you have a device that is 230V at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.
Bisate uses ENERGIE Thermodynamic Solar Systems for the heating of water. Thermodynamic Solar Panels are capable of capturing the heat from the sun, or even from the rain and wind, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. One of the innovative aspects is that an ecological fluid at freezing temperatures circulates through the solar panel, allowing a greater uptake of the solar energy and a higher absorption of the environmental energy, which is then released to the water through a heat exchanger. Thus, ENERGIE’s Thermodynamic Solar Panels surpass the limitations of the traditional solar panels and make possible a more efficient increase of the water temperature.
Avid digital photographers are recommended to bring appropriate storage devices, such as a laptop, for downloading of images. You are advised to bring a spare battery for use while the other is being charged, a power converter/adapter if applicable, cables for computers or cameras and at least 4 x 2GB flash cards.
Please remember that even in the rainforest, water is one of Africa’s most precious resources. Please be frugal in your usage and close any taps when you have finished. For the drinking water at the lodge, we will have the Natura® water purification system and sparkling water maker which provide consistently fresh and pure water that is on-demand offering an environmentally-friendly alternative to bottled water.
The hi-tech water purification system dispenses chilled sparkling, still and ambient water through a patented three-step filtration process eliminating impurities while retaining healthy, thirst-quenching minerals. The Natura® water purification process also removes sediments, chlorine and pollutants as well as reduces heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals, bacteria and viruses leaving a pure and crisp taste, every time.