The Sanctuary at Bisate
Welcome to
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary
Time spent on the nature trails in the verdant Bisate rainforest, or with the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, brings you back to Earth. Now it’s time to look inwards; to pause, breathe and let your experiences sink in. Journey back to Earth. Journey back to You.
The Sanctuary at Bisate brings you rejuvenating wellness treatments in a space that celebrates Rwanda’s natural heritage; striking a balance between self-indulgence and connection to place.
Welcome to The Sanctuary, where the soul of the wild meets the art of wellbeing.
Design
The architecture, the interiors, the carefully chosen materials; each space and design choice at The Sanctuary was crafted with intent.
The Journey
The Sanctuary at Bisate
The History
Our Healing Spaces
Rejuvenation, nourishment, sensation, connection. The Sanctuary was designed to awaken the senses for an all-encompassing wellness experience that perfectly complements your journey in the wild.
Move your body in our gym and lap pool, find stillness in our hydrotherapy lounge and meditation cocoons, and reconnect with yourself and the environment on our yoga deck. Every space invites you to experience the true meaning of living well.
A Light Touch
Designed to honour its surroundings, The Sanctuary treads lightly on the Earth, using local, sustainable materials and thoughtfully chosen, ethically produced products. The hydrotherapy lounge conserves water with only minimal top-ups when needed.
Nature's Soundscape – Sanctum
This original album captures the soundscape of Bisate. These ambient tracks – layered with the ‘music’ of wildlife and culture – soothe and transport. Listen for the rustle of the rainforest, the twitter of sunbirds, the scamper of a jackal and the grunts of Volcanoes National Park’s captivating mountain gorillas, and hear the pounding feet and joy in songs of Rwanda’s warm-hearted people.
Unwind in the Wild
Experiences
Facilities
Treatment rooms
Enjoy facials, body treatments and massages in comfortable and private double or single treatment rooms. Each treatment is scored by the sounds of Bisate’s natural landscape, for an experience that remains connected to the environment.
Lap pool
Designed for both fitness and relaxation, our ionised, heated lap pool invites you to elevate your heartrate or simply float in stillness, bathed in the light spilling over Mount Bisoke.
Hydrotherapy lounge
Step into our hydrotherapy lounge with an inviting fireplace, where we harness the ancient healing power of heat and cold. Our hot-rock sauna room and steam room promote detoxification and relaxation, while the outdoor cold plunge pool enhances circulation, reduces inflammation, and sharpens mental clarity.
Meditation cocoons
These intimate cocoons are ideal for stillness, reflection, and reconnection – a place to simply be.
Gym
Our fully air-conditioned gym includes treadmills and a variety of weights, as well as private showers.
Yoga deck
Lean into yoga poses with Bisate’s sleeping volcano and rainforest as your backdrop.
Head spa
A tranquil space where guests can enjoy a scalp massage and hair and wash, for a moment of extra pampering.
Treatment rooms
Treatment rooms
Enjoy facials, body treatments and massages in comfortable and private double or single treatment rooms. Each treatment is scored by the sounds of Bisate’s natural landscape, for an experience that remains connected to the environment.
Lap pool
Lap pool
Designed for both fitness and relaxation, our ionised, heated lap pool invites you to elevate your heartrate or simply float in stillness, bathed in the light spilling over Mount Bisoke.
Hydrotherapy lounge
Hydrotherapy lounge
Step into our hydrotherapy lounge with an inviting fireplace, where we harness the ancient healing power of heat and cold. Our hot-rock sauna room and steam room promote detoxification and relaxation, while the outdoor cold plunge pool enhances circulation, reduces inflammation, and sharpens mental clarity.
Facilities
Meditation cocoons
These intimate cocoons are ideal for stillness, reflection, and reconnection – a place to simply be.
Gym
Our fully air-conditioned gym includes treadmills and a variety of weights, as well as private showers.
Yoga deck
Lean into yoga poses with Bisate’s sleeping volcano and rainforest as your backdrop.
Head spa
A tranquil space where guests can enjoy a scalp massage and hair and wash, for a moment of extra pampering.
Signature treatments
The Sanctuary at Bisate
Body & face treatments
Discover our range of treatments, using a blend of skincare and massage for full-body replenishment. These unique rituals were inspired by Africa’s rich heritage, reconnecting you with ancient healing customs.
Bisate signature experience
Inspired by ancient heat therapies, this restorative treatment promotes muscle recovery and boosts lymphatic flow, from the soles of your feet to the contours of your face. Warm Himalayan salt poultices melt away tension, while soothing aromas of lavender and ginger calm the senses. Skin is nourished, the body is rebalanced, and the soul is deeply relaxed.
Volcanoes sanctuary experience
This signature massage will relax and restore the face and body. A warm olive and shea butter ointment nourishes and heals dry skin, providing blissful rejuvenation.
African vigour back massage
A warm, aromatic blend of circulation-boosting essential oils is coupled with a deep-tissue massage to relieve tension, with the option of using volcanic hot stones. A cooling and warming gel is then applied to target sore muscles.
African fusion body massage
Choose your scent from our collection of marula-herb infused body oils, for a full- body massage or targeted back, neck and shoulders treatment. Each oil is crafted to nurture your body’s needs while restoring a sense of balance and harmony.
Bisate signature experience
Bisate signature experience
Inspired by ancient heat therapies, this restorative treatment promotes muscle recovery and boosts lymphatic flow, from the soles of your feet to the contours of your face. Warm Himalayan salt poultices melt away tension, while soothing aromas of lavender and ginger calm the senses. Skin is nourished, the body is rebalanced, and the soul is deeply relaxed.
Volcanoes sanctuary experience
Volcanoes sanctuary experience
This signature massage will relax and restore the face and body. A warm olive and shea butter ointment nourishes and heals dry skin, providing blissful rejuvenation.
African vigour back massage
African vigour back massage
A warm, aromatic blend of circulation-boosting essential oils is coupled with a deep-tissue massage to relieve tension, with the option of using volcanic hot stones. A cooling and warming gel is then applied to target sore muscles.
African fusion body massage
African fusion body massage
Choose your scent from our collection of marula-herb infused body oils, for a full- body massage or targeted back, neck and shoulders treatment. Each oil is crafted to nurture your body’s needs while restoring a sense of balance and harmony.
Hand & foot treatments
Our hands and feet – in constant connection with the Earth – deserve care and nourishment. These rituals, paired with a wealth of natural ingredients, restore strength, softness and vitality through deeply grounding, sensory-rich treatments.
Hand ritual
Reawaken tired arms and hands with a gentle exfoliation using mineral-rich Atlantic sea salt, followed by a soothing massage to ease muscle tension. A cooling aloe gel mask hydrates and calms, while a nourishing baobab-infused lotion leaves skin silky-soft and replenished.
Foot ritual
This journey will take your feet through a geranium and pine sugar exfoliation while soaking in a herbal salt foot bath, followed by a foot and leg massage, with the option of using ‘swarthout’ wooden dumbbells. The treatment is finished with a cool, revitalising mask.
Hand ritual
Hand ritual
Reawaken tired arms and hands with a gentle exfoliation using mineral-rich Atlantic sea salt, followed by a soothing massage to ease muscle tension. A cooling aloe gel mask hydrates and calms, while a nourishing baobab-infused lotion leaves skin silky-soft and replenished.
Foot ritual
Foot ritual
This journey will take your feet through a geranium and pine sugar exfoliation while soaking in a herbal salt foot bath, followed by a foot and leg massage, with the option of using ‘swarthout’ wooden dumbbells. The treatment is finished with a cool, revitalising mask.
Volcanoes National Park Camps
Explore more
Bisate Reserve
A sanctuary for those with a distinct palate for adventure. Africa's most thrilling primate experience served up in style.
Explore Camp
Wilderness Bisate Lodge
Voted Africa’s #1 safari lodge, Bisate marries a life-list mountain gorilla adventure with sublime luxury in the rainforest.
Explore Camp
Sabyinyo
Sabyinyo is a luxurious community-owned lodge offering unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Explore Camp
Kwanda
Right beside The Sanctuary, Bisate’s Kwanda Lounge serves up delicious, nourishing meals and refreshments with ingredients sourced from Bisate’s vegetable garden.
Find harmony with nature at Bisate Sanctuary.
Discover Bisate
Let’s plan your next journey
Ready?
When we say we’re there every step of the way, we mean it, literally. From planning the perfect circuit, to private inter-camp transfers on Wilderness Air, and easing you through Customs. We’re with you on the ground, at your side, 24-7, from start to finish. Ready to take the road less travelled? Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable journey.