BISATE

PURPOSE: The aim of Bisate is to be a model of sustainable ecotourism in Rwanda. Its reforestation and rehabilitation project has each guest partnering with us in contributing to conservation and local community upliftment, with a positive impact on the iconic endangered .

PLACE: Bisate Lodge has dramatic views of the Bisoke and Karisimbi peaks rising through the forests of nearby . It is within easy driving distance of Park Headquarters, from where once-in-a-lifetime gorilla treks depart daily. Exploring around Bisate includes community visits, birding, golden monkey trekking, and helping reforest the area, Gorilla Guardian Village, the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera, and ’s grave.

UNIQUE SELLING POINTS  Best place for a meaningful and informed gorilla experience. BISATE The most innovative, responsible, visionary and luxurious lodge adjacent to Volcanoes National Park.  Reforestation, community engagement and interactions all create an enriched experience.

ACCESS Road Transfer Approximately 3.0 hours from Kigali

Fly-In Basis (By Helicopter Only) Helipad Name: Bisate Helipad Duration to the Lodge: Less than a 05 minute road transfer from the helipad Airstrip/Helipad Coordinates: 01°26'36.8"S 29°31'22.8"E Altitude/Elevation: 2 624.76 metres Airstrip Name: Musanze Airstrip located in Musanze town Duration to the Lodge: Approximate 30 minute road transfer from the airstrip (depending on scenic photographic opportunities en-route) Airstrip Coordinates: 01°29'56"S 29°37'58"E Altitude/Elevation: 1 850 metres

OVERVIEW: Bisate Lodge, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with a pioneering vision of reforestation and community partnership. Bisate is located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone, with dramatic views of the peaks of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes rearing up through Afro-alpine forests. Encountering one of the gorilla groups in the nearby Volcanoes National Park is a unique experience.

The en-suite forest villas maximise comfort and views while adhering to environmentally responsible principles and reflecting the rich culture of rural Rwanda. Bisate is within easy driving distance of the Park Headquarters, from where gorilla treks depart daily. Walks on Bisate’s property offer birding and participation in the reforestation programme. Bisate is Rwanda’s first genuinely luxurious and eco-sensitive safari lodge, centred on ’s most immersive wild primate experience.

WILDLIFE: Aside from the area’s iconic mountain gorillas, other mammals that call Volcanoes National Park home include the golden monkey, side-striped jackal, serval, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, elephant, tree hyrax, bushbuck and Egyptian mongoose. A variety of squirrel and genet species are also to be found here. Of the 178 bird species in the area, at least 13 are endemic to the Virunga area such as Archer’s robin chat, mountain black boubou, strange weaver, Rwenzori batis, mountain masked apalis and Rwenzori (collared) apalis.

ACTIVITIES: Bisate aims to enrich the gorilla viewing experience for its guests by providing depth and knowledge through evening presentations and informal chats with an on-site gorilla expert, researcher or scientist who will share his or her knowledge with guests about these charismatic creatures.

Please note that transfers to and from Park Headquarters, for gorilla trekking, is provided by our Rwandan touring company partner - Thousand Hills Africa, at an additional cost and to be booked and paid for in advance.

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GORILLA VIEWING PROTOCOLS: Habituated groups that are interchangeably utilised to provide access per day that may be tracked and observed in the Volcanoes National Park. While trekking expeditions do not necessarily cover enormous distances, these can range in length from 1.0 - 8.0 kilometres (0.5 - 5.0 miles) over very steep country at high altitudes. The undergrowth can be thick, the ground beneath muddy, and, including the time spent with a gorilla group, excursions can last between approximately 2.0 and 8.0 hours. Gorilla viewing protocol is based on the guidelines issued by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) for great ape viewing. Such protocols are designed specifically to limit stress and behavioural impact, as well as potential disease transmission from humans to gorillas. These are critical for gorilla conservation.

 Maximum viewing duration of any group is 1.0 hour per day.  Maximum number of guests per gorilla trekking excursion is 8.  Please do not consume any food or drink while in the presence of gorillas.  Smoking is not allowed.  Please keep the surroundings clean and free of litter.  Spitting in the park is strictly prohibited.  While gorilla sightings and encounters are very reliable, viewing is dependent on variables such as weather and tracking conditions. Gorilla trekking, itself, is undertaken regardless of prevailing weather conditions.  When with the gorillas, please keep voices low. Do not make any rapid movements that may cause alarm.  Should one need to cough or sneeze, mouths and noses must be covered and one must turn away from the gorillas.  If a gorilla should charge or vocalise, do not be alarmed. Stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow the guide’s instructions.  The minimum age for gorilla viewing is 15 years - this is for reasons of safety and possible disease transmission, with children under this age being more prone to infection.  Again, to minimise possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are requested to maintain a distance of 7.0 metres (23 feet) from the gorillas. Guests that display cold, flu or other respiratory tract symptoms will not be allowed to join a gorilla trek as the park office have the authority to deny any such guest/s access. In such instances, the cost of the gorilla trekking permit will be refunded.  Gorilla trekking is strenuous and a certain level of fitness is required. Should guests have any condition that could be triggered by high altitude or vigorous exercise, we recommend that all guests consult with their general practitioner (well in advance of their travel date) and have medical approval to participate in trekking, as well as to utilize the opportunity to discuss other sensible health precautions.  No flash photography is permitted when taking images of the gorillas.

LODGE ACTIVITIES ON SITE  Nature walks and birding walks (both guided and in the forest on the property).  Guided visit to the community beehive project that is supported by the lodge.  Guided nursery visit (meet our agronomist) and indigenous tree planting (with a supply of garden gloves available at Bisate should you wish to borrow a pair).  Self-guided running trail.  Wine tasting.  Sundowners at the main area bar, on the lodge balcony or on the private balcony of each villa with views of the volcanoes.  Explanation from guides on the biodiversity on the property.  Documentary film screenings.  Wilderness Safaris and Olympus Photo Hub experience.

LODGE ACTIVITIES OFF SITE (ACCESSED BY WALKING)  Guided visit to the nursery school at Bisate Village (the school is closed over weekends and during school holidays).  Guided walks of the surrounding communities to meet with our neighbours (learn about their family lifestyles, community work and organic farming practices).

LODGE DESIGN AND FACILITIES  Main lounge, dining area with central fireplace and bar area with viewing deck.  Wine cellar,  Curio corner.  Two pairs of Olympus binoculars in the main area.  In-villa massage treatments (at an additional cost and minimum age 15 years).  Balcony with seating area.

ACCOMMODATION: Each 91 square metre villa has breathtaking views out across a private deck towards Mount Bisoke. With only six villas, the real generosity in the Rwandan context is the amount of private and exclusive space that surrounds Bisate, cosseting it in a rare natural landscape brimming with biodiversity and beauty.

NUMBER OF VILLAS: This lodge can accommodate 12 guests in total, plus 02 guide/pilot/tour leaders.  06 x Villas in total comprising:  06 x twin-bedded villas, with double bed conversions possible.

Plus guide/pilot/tour leader accommodation comprising:  [2 Pilot/Guide (2 beds in total, however, 1 bed per each room, on a single occupancy accommodation basis only, each of the rooms with own en-suite facilities - not of the same standard as guest accommodation)].

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VILLA FACILITIES  En-suite facilities with indoor shower, indoor bath, double basin vanity, heated towel railing and separate toilet.  Central fireplace, easy chairs, luggage rack, electronic safe, tea and coffee making facilities, mini-bar, “gym in a basket” [includes a a yoga mat, skipping rope and weights (1 x 0.5 kg and 1 x 5.0 kg)].  Balcony with seating area.  Complimentary in-villa Wi-Fi.  Two way emergency radios to contact lodge management in the event of an emergency only (radios are on a closed circuit and inter-villa communication is not available).  Amenities include, bathrobes, slippers, liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, insect repellent, shower caps, vanity kit with cotton tipped swabs and cotton balls, tissue dispenser, washing powder (for smalls), umbrella and room spray are supplied in each villa.  Olympus equipment (Tough TG-5 camera, including accessories).

ELECTRICITY AND WATER: Electricity is provided from the national power grid and supported by a back-up generator power system. Each forest villa has 220V plug points (multi plug adaptor charging facilities, including USB) for charging of mobile devices, batteries and for the use of sleep apnoea machines. Please bear in mind that power needs to be carefully conserved – lights and electronic equipment should be turned off when not in use. Should you have a device that is 230V at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.

Bisate uses ENERGIE Thermodynamic Solar Systems for the heating of water. Thermodynamic Solar Panels are capable of capturing the heat from the sun, or even from the rain and wind, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. One of the innovative aspects is that an ecological fluid at freezing temperatures circulates through the solar panel, allowing a greater uptake of the solar energy and a higher absorption of the environmental energy, which is then released to the water through a heat exchanger. Thus, ENERGIE’s Thermodynamic Solar Panels surpass the limitations of the traditional solar panels and make possible a more efficient increase of the water temperature.

Avid digital photographers are recommended to bring appropriate storage devices, such as a laptop, for downloading of images. You are advised to bring a spare battery for use while the other is being charged, a power converter/adapter if applicable, cables for computers or cameras and at least 4 x 2GB flash cards.

Please remember that even in the rainforest, water is one of Africa’s most precious resources. Please be frugal in your usage and close any taps when you have finished. For the drinking water at the lodge, we will have the Natura® water purification system and sparkling water maker which provide consistently fresh and pure water that is on-demand offering an environmentally-friendly alternative to bottled water.

The hi-tech water purification system dispenses chilled sparkling, still and ambient water through a patented three-step filtration process eliminating impurities while retaining healthy, thirst-quenching minerals. The Natura® water purification process also removes sediments, chlorine and pollutants as well as reduces heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals, bacteria and viruses leaving a pure and crisp taste, every time.

CHILD POLICY  As the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years, only children of 15 years and older are allowed at Bisate.

LAUNDRY FACILITIES: Laundry services are provided on a daily basis (weather permitting, items will be returned on the same day) and included on the FI rate basis. Laundry is dried by the sun and on most days any laundry placed out in the morning will be returned, washed, dried and ironed, by the evening.

Due to prevailing local cultural traditions, please place any underwear items in the mesh laundry bag provided, so that these can be machine washed separately. Should guests prefer to hand wash, environmentally friendly detergent is available in the tents or can be provided on request.

As an environmentally-aware company, we strive to reduce our water usage where we can. Since towel washing consumes an enormous amount of water, we follow the same policy used by most top establishments around the world: should guests want their towels washed, we request that guests please place these into the laundry basket/laundry bag supplied. Towels not in the laundry basket/laundry bag will be hung up and dried for their reuse.

Note that laundry services may be limited as a result of water shortages. We cannot be held liable for any damage to clothing.

GRATUITIES GUIDELINES: We would like to reiterate that tipping is not compulsory. Guests should not feel obliged to do so. Tipping should be undertaken only by choice, subject to the service received. In addition, guests may wish to add a nominal amount for incidentals, ranging between US$ 15.00 to US$ 30.00 per day (subject to personal budget choice) - i.e. if additional activities are booked once on their journey, if travel arrangements change for any reason, in acknowledgement of good service received in another area, etc.

 Guide and Specialist Guide - We recommend about US$ 10.00 per guest per day and may be tipped directly.  The General Safari Lodge Staff - We recommend about US$ 10.00 per guest per day for safari lodges. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff.  With regards to being hosted by Lodge Management and/or Assistant Lodge Management, tipping separately for said staff is purely optional and per guests’ discretion.

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