Where are you going next?
Sep 1, 2017, 11:02 pm
#2926
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 61
thank you for the detailed reply! May I know if you requested for the easy hike beforehand or when you arrive at the entrance? Also, our travel agent told me Bisate does not provide car transfer to the trekking location. Therefore, we would need to hire a car for the entire trip in Rwanda? So does everyone go to the trekking location in their own vehicle? I would think Bisate will provide some kind of a shuttle service since everyone's going to the same location in the morning.
Sep 1, 2017, 11:24 pm
#2927
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 61
i did read your review when it was first posted!! in fact, your review is the reason we are going this year!!
We didn't stay at Bisate, but did stay in Dec 2014 at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. Review (and details about our 2 gorilla treks): http://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revie...ge-rwanda-1683
Sabyinyo also had quite the steep hillside walk to reach the main lodge, let alone to reach the various cottages and suites.
If the stairs at Bisate to higher elevation villas are of any concern to you, trust me when I say that you definitely do not want to do a "difficult" gorilla trek! (All people staying at any and all lodges and camps meet at the same start point for all gorilla trekking.) The estimates are just that: estimates. Gorilla families can move quite a bit from the moment you are assigned one, so there are no guarantees!
Difficult means about up to 3 hrs each way trekking to reach your assigned family. We did moderate...and ended up trekking 3.5 hrs to reach our Susa A family. (It was another 2.5 hrs back down, making for an extremely tough day!) I don't recommend that to anyone. It was traumatizing...but still worth it once we got there. It was so tough that we almost considered not going the next day, despite already having bought the permits! (We did go the next day, but fortunately were assigned an easy trek for that.)
Moderate means about up to 2 hrs each way trekking to reach your assigned family.
Easy means about up to 1 hr each way trekking to reach your assigned family. That is still likely to be tougher than the climb to your cottage or villa at the lodge!
The higher you go up the mountain/volcano, the more beautiful it becomes. But also steeper and denser. Tougher trekking.
We also had organized and paid for permits (much cheaper) to do the golden monkey trekking for our 3rd day...but we cancelled that after our 2nd day of trekking. Instead, we spent the 3rd day relaxing at the Lodge and enjoying the beauty of the setting. Trust me: the treks can take a lot out of you. Of course, @KI-NRT also were at the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge at the same time, and they had much easier treks to reach the same families that we did. Lucky ********! So you never know.
We did spend time at the Genocide Museum in Kigali. Highly recommended. See review above.
On the other hand, had we not had the ridiculous 3.5 trek, we wouldn't have enjoyed this incredible scene on Christmas Day 2014 (that's me in the blue, moments after I stumbled directly onto the 650+ lb Silverback!):
Sabyinyo also had quite the steep hillside walk to reach the main lodge, let alone to reach the various cottages and suites.
If the stairs at Bisate to higher elevation villas are of any concern to you, trust me when I say that you definitely do not want to do a "difficult" gorilla trek! (All people staying at any and all lodges and camps meet at the same start point for all gorilla trekking.) The estimates are just that: estimates. Gorilla families can move quite a bit from the moment you are assigned one, so there are no guarantees!
Difficult means about up to 3 hrs each way trekking to reach your assigned family. We did moderate...and ended up trekking 3.5 hrs to reach our Susa A family. (It was another 2.5 hrs back down, making for an extremely tough day!) I don't recommend that to anyone. It was traumatizing...but still worth it once we got there. It was so tough that we almost considered not going the next day, despite already having bought the permits! (We did go the next day, but fortunately were assigned an easy trek for that.)
Moderate means about up to 2 hrs each way trekking to reach your assigned family.
Easy means about up to 1 hr each way trekking to reach your assigned family. That is still likely to be tougher than the climb to your cottage or villa at the lodge!
The higher you go up the mountain/volcano, the more beautiful it becomes. But also steeper and denser. Tougher trekking.
We also had organized and paid for permits (much cheaper) to do the golden monkey trekking for our 3rd day...but we cancelled that after our 2nd day of trekking. Instead, we spent the 3rd day relaxing at the Lodge and enjoying the beauty of the setting. Trust me: the treks can take a lot out of you. Of course, @KI-NRT also were at the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge at the same time, and they had much easier treks to reach the same families that we did. Lucky ********! So you never know.
We did spend time at the Genocide Museum in Kigali. Highly recommended. See review above.
On the other hand, had we not had the ridiculous 3.5 trek, we wouldn't have enjoyed this incredible scene on Christmas Day 2014 (that's me in the blue, moments after I stumbled directly onto the 650+ lb Silverback!):
Sep 2, 2017, 1:11 am
#2928
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 148
thank you for the detailed reply! May I know if you requested for the easy hike beforehand or when you arrive at the entrance? Also, our travel agent told me Bisate does not provide car transfer to the trekking location. Therefore, we would need to hire a car for the entire trip in Rwanda? So does everyone go to the trekking location in their own vehicle? I would think Bisate will provide some kind of a shuttle service since everyone's going to the same location in the morning.
Bisate does not provide any shuttle service. I think it would be quite a hassle if you try to rely on public transport for the trip.
Last edited by KrazeeJoe; Sep 2, 2017 at 9:36 pm
Sep 2, 2017, 1:30 am
#2929
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 61
Everyone seems to have hire a car for the entire trip in Rwanda. The driver (also act as your guide) will pick you up from the airport to the lodge. He will take you to the gorilla trekking entrance (more like a meeting place) where paper work is done and treks assigned (your driver will do all the paper work and try to assign you to the level of trekking you want). Afterwards you will be driven in your own vehicle to the starting point for trekking (takes anywhere from 15 minutes to over 1 hour by driving).
Bisate does not provide any shuttle service. I think it would be quite a hassle if you try to rely on public transport for the trip.
Bisate does not provide any shuttle service. I think it would be quite a hassle if you try to rely on public transport for the trip.
Sep 2, 2017, 7:35 am
#2931
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, UA Gold (status match)
Posts: 777
please report back on sweni post-renovations. We had a lovely stay there in 2015 and the new colors look lovely.
Sep 8, 2017, 6:18 pm
#2933
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
Amanoi is great too and also provides a secluded feeling.
Sep 8, 2017, 6:28 pm
#2934
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
Amanpulo in an one bedroom villa...Villa #32 would be ideal. Great views, pool, private at the end of the a secluded island. huge outdoor living space to hang in.
Amanoi is great too and also provides a secluded feeling.
Amanoi is great too and also provides a secluded feeling.
+1
Except still typhoon season
Also Puri pool suites or villas
Weather maybe iffy early / predawn but no typhoons
Sep 8, 2017, 6:30 pm
#2935
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
Sep 8, 2017, 7:05 pm
#2936
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054
Amanpulo in an one bedroom villa...Villa #32 would be ideal. Great views, pool, private at the end of the a secluded island. huge outdoor living space to hang in.
Amanoi is great too and also provides a secluded feeling.
Amanoi is great too and also provides a secluded feeling.
Sep 8, 2017, 8:18 pm
#2938
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
Puri has a nice beach too but pales in comparison to Pulo ' s .
If Amankila , then go for Kilasari suite . Very nice pool compared to other Kila pool suites ( or even Nusa ' s )
Remember , it ' s black sand here .
The others are not beach locations , Wana is but beach is corally & no pool tents
Secluded alright
http://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revie...-amankila-2091
Sep 9, 2017, 10:10 am
#2939
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,054