Wilderness Safaris is investing in the construction of a new “gorilla”, Bisate Lodge in Rwanda, expected to open mid-June 2017.

Bisate Lodge will be set adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorilla.

“The opportunity to use the Wilderness Safaris model of responsible ecotourism to contribute to positive conservation and community empowerment in such a unique and exciting environment is exactly why we do what we do”, said Keith Vincent, group CEO.

“More than that, we have found the Rwanda government, ecotourism industry and conservation community to be nothing but welcoming and hospitable in partnering with us to pioneer a new kind of ecotourism in this inspirational country.”

The lodge, sited within the natural amphitheatre of an extinct volcanic cone, will comprise nine luxurious rooms with views of the Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno Volcanoes.

Bisate Lodge will also be a visionary conservation and community project, with its first phase focusing on indigenous reforestation of a core 26-hectare site. According to Wilderness, this process has begun in close partnership with the 320-member Tuzamurane Cooperative.

“We are extremely proud to be adding Rwanda to our African portfolio and to continue building sustainable conservation economies across the continent”, Vincent added.

The Bisate reforestation programme has also planted over 3000 indigenous trees.