Wilderness Bisate Newsletter – May 2023

Wilderness Bisate’s guests

In this new segment, we would like to acknowledge the importance of our guests who add colour and flavour to Bisate. We begin this series by highlighting Alex and Ben, a vibrant young couple from New York who stayed with us for three nights. From the moment they arrived on the Bisate grounds, they brought incredible energy that resonated throughout the lodge. By the second night, the cocktail hour had become a highlight for everyone at Bisate. Over refreshing drinks, stories were shared, tales were told, and a sneaky plan was devised...

This plan involved one of our famous wooden gorilla "guardians" located in the lodge’s main area, which Alex and Ben affectionately named Kong. This unique gorilla carving, twice the size of the usual door-stops, couldn't fulfil its duty and instead became the mascot of our bar. Benjamin developed a strong bond with Kong, leading to an agreement that this exceptional carving was needed to make the long journey to America. Kong now proudly stands guard in the Manhattan area of New York, protecting the home of Ben and Alex. May Kong continue to safeguard our guests and evoke cherished memories of their time in the Virunga mountains of Rwanda.

Volcanic activity

Wilderness Bisate provided a window on a remarkable event last month. The active volcano Nyamuragira in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo treated our guests to a breathtaking sight. Over four days, a sudden increase in volcanic activity cast a mesmerising red glow over our north-western night skyline. Although this volcano is at a considerable distance and poses no threat to our guests, we were still able to witness the raw power of nature at its finest!

Bisate family

We are thrilled to announce the completion of the staff gym! While we haven't quite transformed into Arnold Schwarzenegger look-alikes just yet, but we are making progress. Both ladies and men are challenging themselves with weights, striving for personal improvement. We recognise that taking care of our guests begins with taking care of ourselves, and fostering a healthier and happier staff. To our sister lodge, Sabyinyo, be prepared for our next friendly football match, because you'll be facing Olympic athletes this time!

Bisate road construction

The Bisate road is steadily taking shape, thanks to the tireless efforts of our team. Sneaking the massive equipment onto the property while guests were out trekking and working swiftly for a few hours proved to be the most challenging part of the construction process. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the foreman and the dedicated members of the local community, whose involvement made the project seamless.