Sundowner Safaris | January 2026

Bisate Lodge is unlike most Wilderness properties. Situated in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, this is not a traditional safari camp — there are no game drives, no Big Five checklists, and no sundowner stops on the savannah. Instead, Bisate exists for one reason: gorilla trekking. And it does that job beautifully.

We stayed two nights at Bisate Lodge in mid-January 2026, traveling as a couple (Reza and Samar). This was our first visit to Rwanda and our first time at Bisate, though we had stayed at several other Wilderness properties across Africa and had a good feel for the Wilderness ethos going in. What makes Bisate unique is that unlike most Wilderness camps where safari excursions are included in your rate, here you pay separately for activities like gorilla trekking ($1,500 per person) and golden monkey trekking ($100 per person). This changes the value proposition significantly and is something clients need to understand upfront.

With only 6 rooms, Bisate is a smaller, a more intimate property compared to competitors like One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, which is significantly larger, or Singita Kwitonda, which has 9 units one bedroom units, 2 two bedroom units and a 4 bedroom villa.

Getting There

We drove to Bisate from Akagera National Park, having just finished our stay at Magashi Peninsula. The journey took about five hours. I was not feeling fantastic on the drive, which made it a bit rough, but Samar — who typically gets carsick — said it was not a bad drive and the scenery was beautiful. She did have a seasickness patch on, so take that endorsement with a grain of salt. The road was a little windy and we made a few stops along the way.

On the return, the drive from Bisate to Kigali took about three hours. You can also do both legs via helicopter, but that gets pricey. For clients who prefer not to drive, the helicopter is worth considering, especially coming from Akagera.

When we arrived, the camp staff was incredibly sweet. They did a lovely welcome song as we drove up. Because I was not feeling well, they gave us a very quick check-in and let us order food to be sent to the room. That kind of flexibility and attentiveness on arrival — reading the situation and adapting — was impressive.

Setting & Location

Bisate sits in the Volcanoes National Park region of Rwanda, which is very green and lush. You are at a higher elevation, so the weather is actually quite cool — you need a jacket, but it is not freezing. I think a lot of people have the misconception that it is uncomfortably cold up here. It was pleasantly cool during our mid-January visit.

The camp is built into a mountainside, which is important to note: this is not ideal for guests with mobility issues. You need to climb stone steps to reach the rooms and main area. There are six rooms total on three levels. Rooms 1 and 2 are at the lowest level, the main area sits in the middle along with rooms 3 and 4 (where we stayed), and two rooms at the top require even more walking. The rooms are designed to look like nests — built from a material that looks organic but is actually recycled ocean plastic, which is a wonderful sustainability touch.

The immediate view of the volcano when you walk into the main area is unreal. Samar thought it was absolutely beautiful and loved how warm and cozy it felt from the very first moment.

Facilities

The main area features gorgeous stone walls and stunning light fixtures throughout. The light fixtures across the entire property hang from woven flat baskets on the ceiling, which are beautiful. There are big wooden doors and a gorgeous chandelier at the bar — very beautiful design touches as you enter the main area.

The layout has a big bar in the center where they set up afternoon tea and snacks. To one side is the dining area, and on the other is the evening bar and a very cozy living room area next to a fireplace — perfect for pre-dinner cocktails. Fireplaces feature prominently throughout the property because of the cool temperatures, and they add enormously to the atmosphere.

There was no gym or spa during our visit, but they have just finished building a new spa that should open within the next month or so. We toured it, and it is gorgeous. It will be shared between Bisate Lodge and Bisate Reserve. When we were not on activities, we mostly spent time in our room, though you could also hang out in the main area.

Room

We stayed in rooms 3 and 4 at the middle level. The rooms are generous at about 980 square feet — about half the size of the Bisate Reserve rooms, which are around 2,200 square feet, but still very spacious. When you enter, there is a mudroom-style area with a coffee and tea station and a bench to sit down.

As you enter the room proper, immediately to your left is a beautiful fireplace with two cozy chairs in front of it. The fireplace keeps both the bathroom and the bedroom warm, which is a smart design choice given the elevation. Then there is a king-size bed, and on the other side of the fireplace is a nice bathroom with a large soaking tub and shower. On the other side of the bed is a couch seating area, and the room has a deck with chairs and a beautiful view up the mountain.

The room also has a room service menu, which is rare for this type of lodge. There were six or seven items on the dedicated room service menu, plus you could order off the regular menu. The style is what I would call the Wilderness Africa aesthetic — modern with African touches and a lot of local inspiration.

The outdoor deck chairs were not fantastic — I do not think you would spend much time using them. But overall, we loved our room. Everything was perfect and we had no complaints.

Food

Food rating: 8.5 out of 10.

Breakfast was set up in the main area where you could order à la carte. We are not big breakfast people and do not normally eat that early. Both mornings we asked them to pack a chocolate croissant to go, and neither morning was it packed. That was a little strange and was probably the only odd service hiccup during our stay.

Lunch was à la carte from a menu with two to three choices for starters, two to three choices for mains, and a dessert option. Samar ordered fish and chips the first day, which she said was good.

Dinner followed a similar format — ordered from a menu with multiple options for each course. The food was consistently good throughout our stay.

When I arrived not feeling well, they made me an outstanding clear broth soup — honestly the best broth I have ever tried, and I still think about it to this day. For dinner that night, I had that same broth again with some chicken and rice. They were extremely accommodating. It is easy to take care of customers when they are happy, but much more difficult when they do not feel well. This team handled it beautifully.

All drinks were included in the rate.

Service

Service was excellent. The general manager, Tiffany, oversees both Bisate Lodge and Bisate Reserve. Her attention to detail was fantastic, and you could tell the staff had been trained well. Both camps share the same staff who rotate between the two properties.

The communication between the Wilderness teams — from Magashi to Bisate — was seamless. Little details carried over between properties: they knew I like sparkling water with lemon, they knew Samar prefers still water. These small touches made a big difference and are a hallmark of a well-run operation.

Honestly, no service hiccups besides the very small chocolate croissant situation. A very, very good experience overall.

Activities & Guiding

This is where Bisate differentiates itself. Activities are paid separately from your lodge rate — an important distinction from traditional safari camps. Gorilla trekking permits cost $1,500 per person, golden monkey permits are $100 per person, and you can prearrange porters for $10–11 per person. When guests book with us through Sundowner Safaris, we always prearrange porters — they help the local community, create jobs, and are genuinely helpful on the slippery parts of the trek. There is no reason not to have one.

We did one golden monkey trek and one gorilla trek. The golden monkey trek was easy, through farmland, and super fun. We showed up, were assigned our group, and had a wonderful time.

The gorilla trek was a different story — in the best way. We ended up hiking straight up for three and a half hours in steep, muddy terrain. Our guide was François, a legendary figure in Rwanda whose picture is at the Dian Fossey Museum and who has guided the president. He was absolutely amazing.

Once we reached the gorillas, it was completely worth every step. Babies rolling around, the silverback laying on the ground being groomed by two of his ladies. You get one hour with the gorillas — a profound, unforgettable experience.

An important note: guides like François are government employees assigned through the permit office, not through Bisate. The permit office assigns you to a gorilla family based on difficulty level.

Beyond trekking, we planted trees at Bisate with Jimmy, the head guide. We visited the Dian Fossey Museum after our golden monkey trek. And we went to the Women’s Center — a co-op where local women, many of them single moms, make crafts. They showed us how they bead and carve, performed a traditional dance, let us balance baskets on our heads, and Samar had a skirt made from fabric she picked out. We spent too much money. It was wonderful.

Other activities in the area include the Dian Fossey grave hike, twin lakes, and community visits. Some are arranged through your driver, some through the lodge.

A practical note: Bisate keeps trekking gear on-site — backpacks, gloves, gaiters, ponchos, and gum boots. This is incredibly helpful, so you do not need to pack everything. I would still suggest bringing your own broken-in hiking boots for comfort, but if your luggage gets lost, they have you covered.

The Good

Stunning nest-like design with recycled ocean plastic — truly unique architecture
Unreal volcano views from the main area and rooms
Outstanding service — especially how they handled my illness on arrival. That clear broth soup was unforgettable.
Seamless Wilderness communication between properties — personal preferences carried over from Magashi
Tiffany as GM — fantastic attention to detail across both Bisate properties
Generous rooms at 980 sq ft with beautiful fireplaces and large soaking tubs
Room service menu — a rare and welcome touch at a lodge
Trekking gear provided on-site — backpacks, gloves, gaiters, ponchos, gum boots
Intimate size — only 6 rooms compared to larger competitors
Women’s Center visit — a meaningful, memorable cultural experience
Cozy fireplaces throughout — warm atmosphere in the cool mountain climate

The Bad

Mobility concerns — stone steps throughout make this challenging for guests with limited mobility
Activities are extra — gorilla permits at $1,500 per person significantly increase the total cost beyond the lodge rate
The chocolate croissant mystery — a very minor hiccup, but requested twice and missed both times
Outdoor deck chairs were not inviting enough to use

Conclusion

Bisate Lodge is perfect for anyone who wants to visit Volcanoes National Park to see the gorillas and appreciates luxury accommodation that still feels authentically African. The nest-like design, the volcano views, the cozy fireplaces, and the attentive service create an experience that is truly one of a kind.

This is not for guests who prefer very rustic accommodation or do not want luxury and frills. And if your goal is not gorilla or golden monkey trekking, you probably should not book this property — that is what this area and this lodge are built for.

We would absolutely return and will continue sending Sundowner clients here. The views and rooms are the single best thing about this property — the rooms are spacious and functional, and the volcano views are breathtaking.

Sundowner Safaris Rating

4.5 out of 5

"A gorilla’s nest in the volcanoes of Rwanda."

Visited: September 2025 | Reviewed by Reza, Sundowner Safaris

sundownersafaris.com

Review: Wilderness Bisate Lodge, Rwanda