A story in every detail: Purposeful design at Bisate Reserve

The carefully considered design elements are also indicative of the lodge’s purpose. While Bisate Reserve aims to provide an exclusive, high-end experience in the Volcanoes National Park area, its mission is rooted in the pioneering conservation tourism model for which Wilderness is renowned. Cues from the lodge’s interior design weave a moving tale of conservation, community, and Rwandan heritage.

Every guest’s stay contributes to the preservation and expansion of mountain gorilla habitat, spearheaded by the Rwandan Government, and Wilderness is enormously proud of the ambitious reforestation project, which guests can actively participate in. To date, 100,000 indigenous trees have been planted over the 42-hectare Bisate site that was once farming land, and this initiative has seen the return of numerous bird and wildlife species.

In Rwanda’s Nyanza District is the King’s Palace Museum, where you’ll find a reconstruction of the thatched dwellings of Rwanda’s bygone royalty. A kind of beehive-shaped hut under a thatched, conical roof, this domed palace is a reconstruction of a similar 20th-century royal structure, but the design tradition is said to date back centuries. It’s this design – with its distinctive dome shape and woven, cladded walls – that inspired the architecture and interiors for Bisate Reserve. Each expansive villa bears a similar shape, with the intricately woven grass thatching that denotes a domicile fit for a monarch. From a distance, these grass-covered villas resemble birds’ nests tucked into the hillside, yet a closer inspection reveals spacious canopied rooms fit for royalty. 

Each interior wall features beautiful textures, created by handwoven cladding made from grass and reeds, crafted in the traditional style by hundreds of Rwandans from the local collective, IREBE. Given IREBE’s commitment to cultural preservation, sustainability and community empowerment, a partnership with the organisation was a natural fit. 

 
IREBE is also responsible for the handmade basket installation, which hangs from the main area’s ornate bathroom ceiling. Delightfully small and wonderfully intricate, this basket installation might easily be mistaken for a tiny fairytale village. In fact, they are known as Agaseke or peace baskets, which symbolize harmony and peace in Rwandan culture and are made using a generations-old weaving technique known as Inyanja. 

Even the tiling tells a fascinating story of Rwanda’s rich history, using a black-and-white colour scheme and geometric patterns inspired by the country’s traditional Imigongo art, an intricate technique that dates back to the 18th century. Other tiles at Bisate Reserve are made from local volcanic rock, and all were hand-chipped by members of the local community.

Luxurious yet mindful, Bisate Reserve’s design gracefully acknowledges its surroundings, home to the iconic mountain gorillas and golden monkeys that have long inhabited the area. Each piece of art – thoughtfully curated and sustainably minded – speaks to the lodge’s conservation mission and its dedication to the Rwandan community. 

The art installation in the main area is a showcase of our reforestation and community initiatives – a collection of panels adorned with sepia portraits of the local primates, the growing rainforest and members of the community. As the sun rises and sets, the changing light filters through the semi-transparent panels, bringing the portraits – and the heartfelt stories they embody – to life. 

Another grounding reminder of the lodge’s exceptional and untamable setting is the artistic impression of Bisate Reserve’s location relative to the Virunga Massif. This black and gold inlay, around which the main area orbits, serves as both a piece of art and a compass, and explains the room’s panoramic views, with markings that represent each of the six dormant volcanoes visible from the main deck.

As you venture out of the main entrance, you’ll be greeted by the striking artwork: a sculpture of two gorilla fists stretching into the sky. Crafted from a metallic plate and laser-cut to the finest detail, the lines and markings on each primate finger are a profound reminder of just how close the mountain gorilla is to our own species. Peer through the borders of the sculpture and you’ll see the magnificent (and expanding) rainforest that these gorillas call home.  

Throughout Bisate Reserve’s main area and guest Villas, you’ll also find captivating portraits of mountain gorillas painted by local artist and business owner Rigobert Uwiduhaye of Studio of African Wildlife Arts (SAWA). These portraits invite guests to reflect on the iconic creatures living in the surrounding rainforest, with detailed educational elements that highlight some of the gorillas’ fascinating features. SAWA’s mission, much like that of Wilderness, is to foster a deeper connection between humans and wildlife, and the undeniably human expressions rendered in each gorilla portrait achieve just that. 

Each Villa has a curated pinboard that celebrates the area’s vibrant indigenous flora. Featuring beautiful photographs, illustrations and paper art of flower species that have returned to the area – as a result of our reforestation initiative – these inspiring collections speak to the rich biodiversity we aim to protect, with the support of Bisate Reserve’s guests. 

One of the lodge’s finest design details bears its own backstory of community and conservation. Upon closer inspection of the scatter cushions in the guest rooms, you’ll discover delicately hand-stitched embroidery depicting the abundant local flora species. Each embroidered piece was woven by IBABA RWANDA, a local community initiative that trains and empowers local women while driving economic development.  

Each handwoven panel, hand-chipped tile and piece of local art tells a story, connecting our guests to the vibrant spirit of Rwanda and the breathtaking biodiversity of the Volcanoes area. A stay at Bisate Reserve is not just a journey into the very essence of wild Rwanda, it’s an opportunity to contribute to a future where communities thrive alongside the wildlife they protect. Experience the transformative magic of Bisate Reserve, where every detail invites you to be part of something greater.