Bisate Lodge set to open in Rwanda in June 2017
Wilderness Safaris Bisate Lodge, situated next to Rwanda’s renowned Volcanoes National Park, is on track to open in June 2017. Comprising just six forest villas, Bisate Lodge will offer a luxurious base from which to enjoy an extraordinary gorilla conservation experience and a holistic exploration of this beautiful region.
“We are extremely proud of the progress we have made with Bisate, especially with regards to our pioneering reforestation programme, which has already seen over 5 000 indigenous trees planted to date in partnership with the newly-created Tuzamurane Cooperative. This incredible opportunity to use our model of responsible ecotourism to contribute to positive conservation and community empowerment in such a unique and exciting Rwanda environment is exactly why we do what we do”, said Wilderness Safaris CEO, Keith Vincent.
Situated within the amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone, the 27-hectare Bisate site is incomparable in terms of its natural splendour, with sweeping views towards the Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno volcanoes. It is close enough to Kinigi (the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters) to be convenient for guests’ morning gorilla treks, but far enough away so as to feel remote and even – as a result of the onsite indigenous reforestation project – part of the spectacular Park.
Featuring six luxurious forest villas, the real generosity of Bisate in the Rwandan context will be the amount of private and exclusive space that surrounds the Lodge, cosseting it in a rare natural landscape brimming with Albertine Rift biodiversity and beauty. Each spacious forest villa will comprise a generous yet intimate combination of bedroom, reception space and bathroom, all warmed by a central fireplace and with breathtaking views out across a private deck towards Mount Bisoke.
Bisate’s sophisticated architectural and interior design will be rooted in Rwandan building tradition as exemplified in the design of the Royal Palace of the traditional monarch. This spherical, thatched structure echoes the thousands of hills that dot the Rwandan landscape, while the richly-detailed interiors will exhibit surfaces and screens made from a variety of woven materials with strong resonance in Rwandan culture.
“The whole Bisate experience will be based around our 4Cs sustainability ethos of Commerce, Community, Culture and Conservation. Our reforestation project, community engagement, cultural appropriateness and exposure, eco-friendly operational systems and more will take guests beyond the ‘gorilla express’ and enrich their experience in this inspiring country. We hope that Bisate and our guests will be able to make a dramatic and far-reaching impact on not just a Critically Endangered species like the mountain gorilla, but also the entire ecosystem of the Virunga Massif and the rural people living adjacent to it”, Vincent added.
Bookings for Bisate Lodge open on the 3 of October 2016. All sales will be handled by Wilderness Safaris’ partner and ground handler in Rwanda, Thousand Hills Africa (previously Thousand Hills Expeditions).
“With over 12 years’ experience in tailor-making life-changing journeys in Rwanda, we are thrilled to partner with Wilderness Safaris and look forward to welcoming many guests to the luxurious new Bisate Lodge next year,” said Jacqui Sebageni, MD of Thousand Hills Africa.