A travel experience in Rwanda led to an unexpected encounter, where a 3-foot-tall juvenile gorilla delivered a playful punch to the author's buttcheek, an incident described as "the best moment of my entire life." This memorable interaction was part of a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, set against the backdrop of a stay at the brand-new Wilderness Bisate Reserve, a luxury resort in east-central Africa that aims to create unforgettable memories while fostering conservation.

Wilderness, a renowned conservation and hospitality company, launched the Bisate Reserve in September, expanding on the success of its existing Bisate Lodge. Chairman Manzi Kayihura explained that the reserve's development was an opportunity to enhance the positive impact of the lodge through further reforestation, habitat restoration, employment, and community upliftment. The design, executed by Nicholas Plewman Architects + Associates and interior designer Câline Williams-Wynn of Artichoke, focused on providing the "luxury of space." This meant increasing room sizes to offer more lounge square footage and dedicated areas for in-room dining and spa treatments, catering to guests who prefer the comfort of their private villa, especially after a challenging gorilla trek.

The Bisate Reserve immerses guests in an experience that blends Rwandan culture with unparalleled luxury. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a meticulously designed main lodge, a replica of a royal Rwandan residence. It features a towering thatched roof, a central crackling fireplace, an emerald-green bar, and a gleaming green glass chandelier whose pieces precisely mirror the surrounding volcano landscape. The attention to detail extends to the four en-suite villas, which are truly spectacular. Guests first enter a spacious mudroom—essential after a muddy gorilla hike—where staff assist with gear and whisk it away for cleaning. The main lounge area boasts a full kitchen stocked with treats, a plush seating area facing the first fireplace, and a well-appointed bar. Beyond this, the bedroom area includes a second roaring fireplace, a luxurious soaking tub, a rainfall shower, and a closet area comparable in size to a small apartment. The highlight of each villa is undoubtedly the back terrace, featuring a wood-burning hot tub that offers breathtaking views of the verdant hillside.

The reserve comprises four en-suite villas, accommodating a maximum of eight guests, significantly larger than the original Bisate Lodge's six villas. These expansive villas, exceeding 2,200 square feet, provide ample space for private dining and massage treatments. Each also includes a separate lounge area and a butler station. For families or groups, Villas 1 and 2 can be interlinked to create a larger family room. Executive chef Angelus Karangwa oversees the top-notch food and beverage service, offering a rotating menu of East African and global dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients like coconut, chili, ginger, and turmeric. Guests can pair their meals with a selection from the wine cellar or enjoy unique mocktails and homemade dips with locally sourced yucca chips during sundowner hour.

Beyond the luxury accommodations, Wilderness Bisate Reserve excels in facilitating immersive activities. The team meticulously plans gorilla treks, securing permits, providing precise packing lists, and arranging guides like John, who boasts nearly a decade of experience. The trek involves hiking through dense forest, over downed trees, and across pastoral landscapes, always with eyes peeled for the magnificent animals. During the 60-minute encounter, guests are required to mask up to protect the gorillas, who share 98 percent of human DNA. The experience is described as serene, observing a mother nursing, a juvenile rough-housing with its 400-pound silverback father, and the family peacefully foraging on plants. Other activities include golden monkey outings, guided or self-guided nature walks through the private forest, birding, visits to the on-site nursery to meet agronomists and plant indigenous trees, tours of the vegetable garden, community walks, and visits to the Dian Fossey gravesite or the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

The Bisate Reserve is deeply committed to both conservation and community. A key mission is an ambitious reforestation project, covering 103 acres of former agricultural land, where over 100,000 indigenous trees have already been replanted, encouraging wildlife to return. This also includes guests actively participating by planting their own trees, such as the hypericum revolutum shrub or the lobelia giberroa tree, which will one day feed the gorillas. The resort also aims to be sustainable for the community through job creation and collaborative partnerships. Guests often leave feeling a profound connection with staff and community members, and a sense that their stay contributed meaningfully to conservation efforts. The overall experience helps to change perceptions of Rwanda post-genocide, promoting the country's image as vibrant and welcoming.

For those planning a visit, the Bisate Reserve offers easier accessibility compared to the original lodge, with buggy assistance available, though a certain level of mobility is required as villas are not wheelchair-friendly. Stays, which are fully inclusive, begin at $3,200 per person, sharing per night. Lower rates are available in March and April, with prices increasing from May, and peaking during the high-demand seasons of June to October and mid-December to February. The reserve is family-friendly, accommodating children as young as 6, and Villas 1 and 2 can be interlinked for families. While the minimum age for gorilla treks is 15, complimentary childcare services are provided for adults participating in the treks. The unique blend of luxury, adventure, and profound connection to nature and culture makes Wilderness Bisate Reserve an unparalleled destination.