An unforgettable encounter unfolded in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, near the Congo border, when a juvenile gorilla delivered a quick punch to the author's buttcheek. This surprising moment, far from being a negative experience, was hailed as the "best moment" of the trip, serving as a testament to the profound connection one can forge with nature. This extraordinary adventure was made possible by Wilderness, a conservation and hospitality company, and enhanced by a stay at their brand-new offering, the Bisate Reserve, located on the same property as its esteemed Bisate Lodge.

Wilderness opened the doors to Bisate Reserve in September, aiming to extend and enhance the positive impact of the existing Bisate Lodge. According to Manzi Kayihura, chairman of Wilderness Rwanda, the development built upon previous successes in reforestation, natural habitat restoration, employment creation, and community upliftment. The design, executed by Nicholas Plewman Architects + Associates and interior designer Câline Williams-Wynn of Artichoke, focused not on elevating luxury beyond the current Bisate experience, but on enhancing it to deliver a world-class product. A primary goal was to provide the "luxury of space," increasing room sizes to accommodate more lounge area, in-room dining, and spa treatments. This tailored, intimate, and exclusive offering ensures maximum guest comfort, especially after an arduous gorilla trek.

Comfort is abundant from the moment guests arrive, greeted by friendly security, hotel managers, and porters who assist with luggage. The main lodge itself is a near-perfect replica of a royal Rwandan residence, featuring a towering thatched roof, a central crackling fireplace, and an emerald-green bar beneath a gleaming green glass chandelier that mirrors the volcanic landscape. The four en-suite villas are equally spectacular, designed for ultimate guest comfort and convenience. Each villa features a massive mudroom for shedding hiking gear, which is then whisked away for cleaning. Beyond the mudroom, guests step into a main lounge area complete with a full kitchen stocked with treats, a plush seating area facing the first fireplace, and a well-stocked bar. The bedroom area boasts a second roaring fireplace, a soaking tub, a rainfall shower, and a spacious closet. The highlight of the private terrace is a woodburning hot tub offering breathtaking views of the verdant hillside, promising a truly unique experience that pays tribute to Rwandan culture.

Wilderness expertly orchestrates every aspect of the gorilla trek, from securing necessary permits and providing precise packing lists (with extra gear on-site) to coordinating transportation to guides like John, who possesses nearly a decade of tracking and guiding experience. The trek itself involves navigating thick forests, wielding machetes through vines, and traversing pastoral landscapes, all while keeping an eye out for the massive animals. Upon arrival at the gorillas' clearing, guests are required to mask up, as gorillas share 98 percent of human DNA and are susceptible to human viruses. The encounter is serene, allowing guests to sit in silence for 60 minutes, observing a mother nursing her child, a juvenile rough-housing with its 400-pound silverback father, and the family nibbling on plants. Post-hike, guests are met with a refreshing cocktail, easing the transition back to the comforts of the Bisate Reserve.

Beyond gorilla trekking, the reserve offers a myriad of activities and experiences. Guests can arrange golden monkey outings, embark on guided or self-guided nature walks through the private forest, go birding, or visit the on-site nursery to meet agronomists and plant indigenous trees, fostering a deeper connection to the conservation efforts. Tours of the vegetable garden with chefs, guides, or managers are available, as are sundowners with other guests. Off-property excursions include guided walks through surrounding communities and visits to the Dian Fossey gravesite or the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. While there is no dedicated spa, in-room treatments like a post-hike foot massage are readily available. For families, the reserve can be bought out for groups of eight, and Villas 1 and 2 can be interlinked to form a family room. Although the minimum age for gorilla treks is 15, childcare services are provided complimentary for younger guests (minimum age 6) while adults are trekking.

The culinary experience at Bisate Reserve is exceptional, overseen by Executive Chef Angelus Karangwa. The food and beverage service is on par with a five-star resort in a major metropolitan area, made even more impressive by its semi-remote location and Rwanda's world-class produce. Each evening, guests can choose from a rotating menu of East African and global dishes, featuring locally sourced ingredients like coconut, chili, ginger, and turmeric. The cellar boasts an impressive selection of wines, and the mocktail menu, paired with homemade dips and locally sourced yucca chips, is a highlight during sundowner hour. The reserve prioritizes sustainability, undertaking an ambitious reforestation project across 103 acres of former agricultural land, where 100,000 indigenous trees have already been replanted. This encourages wildlife to return and flourish and contributes to community sustainability through collaborative partnerships and job creation.

Accessibility to Bisate Reserve is generally easier than to Bisate Lodge, with buggy assistance available, though the villas are not wheelchair-friendly, requiring a certain level of mobility for stairs and pathways. Lower rates are available in March and April, with a slight increase in May, while high-demand season runs from June to October and mid-December to February. Stays begin at $3,200 per person, sharing per night, and are fully inclusive. Guests are encouraged to plant a tree, a symbolic act that allows them to watch their contribution grow with each return visit. The core mission of Bisate Reserve is to transcend luxury hospitality by embracing a profound commitment to conservation, ensuring guests feel they have made meaningful connections with staff and community members, and that their stay has contributed to the reserve’s conservation purpose, leaving them with an indelible memory and a desire to see Rwanda's image shine.