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Wilderness Bisate Reserve

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda · by Wilderness · also known as Bisate Reserve

FlagshipLodgeOpening announced for September 2024
From, per person
$3,518
Size
4 rooms
Children
Not published
Location
On the park boundary
To Kinigi park HQ
20 min drive
Best months
Jun – Aug

Wilderness Bisate Reserve is a lodge of 4 villas run by Wilderness on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Rates run $3,518 to $5,225 per person per night sharing over the next 12 months (fully inclusive). Gorilla permits are bought separately: $1,500 per person per trek.

Close to the gorilla treks
About 20 minutes from Kinigi park HQ, where treks start at 7am.
Very small
Only 4 villas, one of the smallest lodges in the area.
A serious wine list
Climate-controlled wine tower.
Massage and wellness
Uses The Sanctuary wellness facilities.

Location

Villas sit on the crest of a forested slope next to Bisate Lodge, on the southern edge of Volcanoes NP. The surrounding land is restored and reforested montane forest between extinct volcanic cones. The property is unfenced and wildlife passes through.

VolcanoesForest

360-degree view across the forested slopes of six Virunga volcanoes including Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno; looks out towards Mount Bisoke.

PositionOn the park boundary
Drive to Kinigi park HQ20 min
Compared with Volcanoes lodges6th closest of 9
ElevationNot published
Helipad at the lodgeNo
FacesLooks out towards Mount Bisoke

About 20 minutes to park HQ (Yellow Zebra)

Getting around

Villas on a hillside crest between eroded volcanic cones; no detail on steps or paths found.

Neighbours

Within walking distance of Bisate Lodge but out of sight; Bisate helipad is a 5-minute transfer.

Lodges within 2 km: Wilderness Bisate (0.6 km).

Approximate location. Pins show the lowest published rate per person per night.

Who it's for

Gorilla trekkingGorilla treks start from Volcanoes National Park HQ at Kinigi.
IntimateOnly 4 rooms, suites or tents in total.
Massage and wellnessUses The Sanctuary wellness facilities.
Food and wineHas a wine cellar or wine programme.

Tags come from verified facts, not opinions. Each one shows why it applies.

Gorilla trekking and activities

Treks are run by the Rwanda Development Board, not the lodge. Every visitor meets at park headquarters in Kinigi at 7am and is assigned to a gorilla family. Your lodge books the permit and drives you there.

Permit$1,500 per person per trek
Minimum age15
Group sizeUp to 8 visitors
Time with the gorillas1 hour
Low-season discount30% off Nov–May*
Porter (optional)About $10 + tip

*With at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe on the same trip. Fees from the Rwanda Development Board, 2026.

Activities at Wilderness Bisate Reserve

ActivityCostMin. ageNotes
Gorilla trekking$1,50015Permit not in lodge rate; via park authority
Conservation experienceIncluded—Tree planting and reforestation monitoring
Cultural / community visitIncluded—

How reliably you'll see

Mountain gorillas · Very likely (97% of surveyed travellers saw them)Buffalo · Sometimes (22% of surveyed travellers saw them)Elephant · Rare (2% of surveyed travellers saw them)

Park fees and permits

WhatAdultPer
Golden monkey tracking$100per person
Mount Bisoke climb$75per person
Dian Fossey tomb hike$75per person
Exclusive gorilla trek (whole group, max 8)$15,000per group

Foreign non-resident rates from Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

When to go

Best conditionsGoodWetter or quieterBlue dots: rainfall

Volcanoes National Park is at its best Jun – Aug, in the long dry season. The long rains run March to May and the short rains October to November. Treks and drives go ahead in the rain, and lodges often charge less.

Rates

Per person per night, sharing. Fully inclusive: meals, activities, most drinks; check park fees and laundry separately. We don't sell trips; these are the operator's own published prices.

DatesSeasonRoomRate
2026
Jun 1 – Oct 31HighVilla$4,929
Nov 1 – Dec 15ShoulderVilla$3,549
Dec 16 – Feb 28HighVilla$4,929
2027
Mar 1 – Apr 30LowVilla$3,518
May 1 – May 31ShoulderVilla$3,762
Jun 1 – Oct 31HighVilla$5,225
Nov 1 – Dec 15ShoulderVilla$3,762
Dec 16 – Feb 29HighVilla$5,225
Park feesNot included
DrinksLocal drinks only (reserve wines & champagne extra)
Gorilla permitsNot included ($1,500 each)
ChildrenNot published
Minimum stayNot published
Single supplementNot published
Peak rate vs Volcanoes National Park median80% above
Priced inUSD

Also included or excluded: laundry; 3% tourism tax; lodge-based activities; Sanctuary wellness use. Excl. conservation levy & park fees.

Rooms and amenities

Rooms

  • 4 × Villa, wood-fired hot tub on private deck · two villas can be linked as a family room

Amenities

Spa / massageWine cellar / curated drinksLaundry serviceWi-Fi

Wine: climate-controlled wine tower

Getting there

Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL), then go by road or helicopter.

By road
3 h

From $395 per vehicle, one way. Your lodge or agent arranges the driver; there's no need to find one yourself.

Helicopter · Akagera Aviation
30 min

From $1,771 per aircraft, one way. Smallest helicopter seats 3 with a 180 kg limit for people and bags.

Who flies

Akagera Aviation
Agusta 109; Agusta 139; Robinson 44; Agusta 119

Helicopter charters, lodge/park transfers and scenic tours across Rwanda. Limit is total weight (passengers + luggage) per aircraft per route.

Questions

How much does Wilderness Bisate Reserve cost?

$3,518 to $5,225 per person per night sharing over the next 12 months, from the operator's published rates (checked 2026-10-21). Rates are fully inclusive. Gorilla permits ($1,500 per person per trek) are extra.

When is the best time to visit Wilderness Bisate Reserve?

June, July and August are the driest, best months in Volcanoes National Park. The long rains run March to May; lodges stay open and prices are lower.

How do you get to Wilderness Bisate Reserve?

Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL). Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours by road from Kigali or about 30 minutes by helicopter.

Before you go

VisasVisa on arrival available to citizens of all countries (since 1 Jan 2018) or in advance via Irembo; visa fee max USD 50 single-entry / USD 70 multiple-entry; fee waived for 30-day visits by AU, Commonwealth and Francophonie citizens; EAC citizens get a free 6-month pass; passport should be valid 6 months beyond departure.
Yellow feverCertificate required for travellers aged 1+ arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission; not required when arriving directly from non-risk countries (e.g. the US). Vaccine generally not recommended for Rwanda itself.
MalariaThe CDC says malaria is present in all areas of Rwanda, primarily P. falciparum, chloroquine-resistant; prescription prophylaxis recommended (atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine). Visit Rwanda also recommends prophylaxis.
TippingTypical guidance: private guide USD 10 pp/day; park guide USD 5 pp per trek; rangers USD 5 each; trackers USD 5 per group; porter hire ~USD 10 plus USD 2-5 tip (Volcanoes Safaris suggests USD 20 pp/day for gorilla porters); lodge staff USD 5-10 pp/day; tip in cash USD or RWF.
MoneyRates are quoted in US dollars; the local currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF).
PlugsTypes C, E, F, G · 230V 50Hz

Rules change. Check official sources before you travel.

Sources

Every fact on this page is tied to a source. Facts checked 2026-10-21. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

Operator website
wildernessdestinations.com/africa/rwanda/volcanoes-national-park/bisate-reserve
Supports: Activities, Amenities, Family units, Neighbours, Open, Position, Rates, Rooms, Setting, Style, Views, Wi-Fi, Wine
high
2026-10-21
Operator website
wildernessdestinations.com/africa/rwanda
Supports: Location, Operator, Website
high
2026-10-21
Agent listing
yellowzebrasafaris.com/us/rwanda/accommodation/wilderness-bisate-reserve/
Supports: Drive to activities, Helipad, Orientation, Setting
medium
2026-10-21
medium
2026-10-21

Photos show Volcanoes National Park, not Wilderness Bisate Reserve: Photo: Adygrafix250, CC BY 4.0; Photo: Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0; Photo: Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0; Photo: Wood Wildlife Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0; Photo: Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0.