Woke up to a sunny morning, just enough time for a brief workout followed by a cappuccino poolside. Now the adventures really begin… Roger picked us up at 9:45am – first stop Covid testing. We did both a PCR test and a rapid antigen test and then we were off. Journey was 98km’s but maximum speed is 60km/hour and the road was busy. Trucks, buses, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians. Took about 3 hours to reach Bisate. Passed many villages and farmland with potatoes and maize being the primary crop. Loved seeing the village life, bicycles laden with bananas and my all-time favorite “hitching a ride” – cyclists hanging on to trucks to pull them up the hilly terrain! The last major town we went through was Kinigi – the gateway to the Volcanoes National Park. The final section to our lodge was dirt road and a rather rocky one at that. Hidden on a hillside forest you find this incredible lodge, Bisate Lodge. It is in fact located in the natural amphitheater of an eroded volcanic cone. With only 6 suites, we arrived in the rain to a wonderful greeting by the staff. Every stay begins with lunch and then you are introduced to your suite.
Lunch was delicious – I opted for a glass of chardonnay and a vegetarian garden spread with a side salad. Our “room” was in fact a cottage built into the hillside made up of two oval rooms with windows that look out onto Mount Bisoke, sharing a central fireplace to keep you warm. Best described as pod-like thatched suites that blend into the forest, from a distance they look like eye’s staring at you. The lodge is focused on sustainable ecotourism and has a luxurious and private feel to it.
We got settled in and had some time to relax before gathering for sundowners and dinner. One of the pleasures of travel to remote regions in Africa is you always get to meet interesting guests and learn about their stories and experiences. Tonight, was no different, met a couple from Michigan and a solo traveler from Durban. Tried cassava chips with a pesto sauce, yum!
Ally is the lodge manager and she entertained us with stories and provided insight into the adventures we could expect over the coming few days. Love the photo of Wayne “holding court”. Our group had a fun dinner tasking great South African wines and wrapping up with grappa, Wayne’s influence… The food was so fresh, and my lamb bolognaise was just perfect. Suddenly we realized it was 10pm and we better get to bed as had an early start.
