Wilderness Bisate

OVERVIEW

The site of pioneering primatologist Dian Fossey’s ground-breaking work on endangered mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park has earned its outstanding reputation as the world leader in gorilla-trekking safaris. The park itself – known locally as Parc National de Volcans – is a magical, mist-shrouded place of outstanding beauty, with dense rainforests clinging to the steep volcanic slopes (there are three extinct and six active volcanoes in the park). It is fitting, then, that eco-chic Wilderness Bisate Lodge – the perfect base for gorilla trekking and from which to explore Volcanoes National Park – has an equally magical and mesmerising appearance.

The mindful use of local materials echoes the sustainable ethos of Wilderness Bisate, and the six podlike villas that make up the lodge appear to be bird’s nests woven from the forest fibres. These en-suite forest villas – the thatched design of which is inspired by the King’s Palace at Nyanza – have mind-blowing vistas over Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno volcanoes. Modern technology and next-level luxury bolster the traditional construction, but the outside thatching is done completely authentically. A wine cellar, library, spa, restaurant, tree nursery and vegetable garden complete the serenely self-sufficient Bisate picture. The menu uses fresh seasonal ingredients from their own garden, complemented by crops and eggs farmed by the surrounding  communities.

The Bisate Kwanda (day lounge) in the heart of Bisate’s organic vegetable garden is a wonderful place to relax after a day of strenuous hiking, or treat yourself to a soothing massage. The true luxury of Wilderness Bisate, though, lies in its exclusive privacy and the extraordinary beauty of its setting.