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 Wilderness Bisate Reserve 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 12 habituated gorilla families for a one-hour awe-inspiring encounter.

To elevate this experience, it is possible to arrange a private gorilla trek, where guests will be given a choice of gorilla family and park guide exclusively theirs for the day. Departure for the trek is direct from Bisate Reserve rather than via park headquarters.

* Gorilla Trekking Permits, per person, at an additional cost.

View this beautifully coloured primate, endemic to the area, which lives in groups of between 30 to 80 individuals in the Park’s bamboo forest.

Set on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, and an easy drive to the park gate, Wilderness Bisate Reserve is located at a vantage point that feels part of the park, offering breathtaking views.

A full-day guided hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke (3 711 metres) can be strenuous; however, it is well worth the effort, offering sweeping views of the rainforest and crater lake. Explore the diversity of habitats, and discover the visibly flourishing wildlife.

One of the Wilderness Bisate Reserve 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.

Guests can join a privately guided visit to the nearby community and members of the co-operative, including meeting the farmers who cultivate and sell their vegetables to Wilderness Bisate and Wilderness Bisate Reserve.

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.

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 allows guests to shower, change, have a light meal, visit the Wilderness Bisate Boutique stocked with hand-crafted items from Rwandan artisans (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 here 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.

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 Volcanoes National Park it is well worth visiting, with a stop at the campus easy to add during a stay at Wilderness Bisate Reserve, Wilderness Bisate or Wilderness 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.