Gorillas and Conservation: Luxury Long Weekend

After an overnight flight arrive into Kigali and meet with your private driver/guide who will take you on a short city tour and lunch before the 2.5 hour drive to Bisate Luxury Eco Lodge.

Bisate is a one-of-a-kind eco-lodge with just 6 dramatically situated suites cleverly designed to look like gorilla ‘nests’ on the lush mountainside. Each luxuriously appointed suite has a balcony with a spectacular view out across the Volcanoes National Park.

At Bisate the highlight is the gorilla trekking, but a stay at this unique lodge is also highlight in itself. Your visit here will actively support the local communities which surround it. You can get actively involved with the tree planting project, visit the local school or youth centre, see the gardens where your fresh food is grown. Plus there are nature and birding walks, trips to Diane Fossey’s grave and to see the stunning Golden Monkeys.

The lodge prides itself on its food and drink – fresh local produce crafted into contemporary dishes, accompanied by a delicious selection of wines.

In the evenings curl up with a book from the library beside a roaring log fire, join a wine tasting session or view a wildlife documentary.

Although this trip suggestion is a long weekend, to fully experience all this exceptional eco lodge has to offer will need a little bit longer!

This morning is the highlight of your trip – after an early briefing you will be allocated a gorilla group and drive to the start of the trail.

Depending on the location of the gorillas and their movements you may find them fairly soon, or you might need to hike through the forest for some time. The forest floor can be steep and uneven in places but your guides will take it at a gentle pace, so anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness should be able to manage it.

For more about gorilla trekking read our blog.

Once you locate your family of gorillas, you get to spend an hour observing the lives and habits of the group – sometimes imitating our own actions and antics as the children play and the silverback watches over his brood. It is both fascinating and incredibly moving.

Following your visit return to the lodge for a hot chocolate beside the fire, or perhaps a relaxing massage! After lunch you have various options open to you. Relax at the lodge or visit the local community. Perhaps plant a tree or visit the local school or youth group. Or guided nature ramble. The choice is up to you.

Meet for drinks before dinner, and enjoy a delicious meal while you think back over what will be one of the most memorable days of your life.

Today you have time for another lodge activity. Perhaps a trip to view the flamboyant golden monkeys, or to Diane Fossey’s Grave. You could even choose to do another gorilla trek should time allow.

After lunch meet with your driver/guide for the drive back to Kigali and your evening flight home.

Back home in time for Monday morning. Your friends and family won’t believe what you did at the weekend!

Alternatively, head off on safari to Bisate’s sister lodge, Magashi in Akagera National Park for a Big Five traditional African safari in the park which is another conservation success story for Africa.

Or visit the canopy walkways for more primate spotting in Ngungwe National Park.

A visit to either of these two parks will mean a 30% discount off your gorilla permit, and the parks are both wonderful wildlife experiences, so well worth bearing in mind.