Sambora Kinigi

Exceptional experience! I don’t even know where to begin to describe how amazing my experience at Sambora was. The service was unlike anything I’ve ever seen: so much care, attention to detail, and a truly personal touch. Every single staff member was kind, helpful, and always ready to assist with a smile. The room and facilities were perfect, and they handled every detail of our gorilla trek, making sure we felt completely prepared. When my partner got sick, they went above and beyond to take care of him, and I’ll never forget that. I’ve stayed at many hotels, but I’ve never felt so genuinely cared for. Thank you so much, Sambora team! I’ll recommend you to everyone I know! Renata 🇧🇷

I stayed at Sambora Kinigi for three nights, and it was truly a magical experience. With only about six rooms, it felt incredibly intimate—like my home away from home. Nestled right next to the luxurious One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Sambora Kinigi offers a similarly remote and serene atmosphere but at a much more reasonable price point. It’s the perfect private oasis to disconnect and unwind after daily adventures. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and cared for. The manager, Khairat, greeted me warmly every time I returned from an excursion, and Christine was like my new Rwandan mother—always making sure I was well-fed, hydrated, and comfortable. Traveling solo, I never felt awkward or out of place; the staff’s kindness and attention made the experience feel personal and special. The meals were absolutely incredible—fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. As someone who avoids dairy, I deeply appreciated how accommodating the kitchen was in crafting delicious meals that suited my needs. Christmas dinner was particularly memorable, and dining at the communal table allowed me to meet other friendly, engaging guests. For those nights when I was too tired to socialize, I could enjoy my meal in my room. The small touches elevated the experience to another level. Every evening, a fire was lit in my room, which made the chilly Rwandan nights feel cozy (even as someone who sleeps hot, I loved it!). They even provided a warm bottle for the bed—an incredibly thoughtful detail. After two weeks of travel, the laundry service was a lifesaver, especially since they were willing to use the detergent I brought from home (Americans and our allergies, haha). One service that deserves a special shout-out is the boot cleaning. After hiking through mud up to a foot deep, my boots looked brand-new, thanks to their meticulous cleaning. The gaiters they provided were a lifesaver on muddy trails, too. Sambora Kinigi struck the perfect balance of luxury and comfort. The owner, Greg, was responsive and friendly, answering all my questions with ease before my stay. I booked through Golden Rwanda Safaris, but Sambora Kinigi also has its own tour company for those interested. If you’re looking for a remote, boutique, and deeply personal experience, I can’t recommend Sambora Kinigi enough.

You Can't Beat the Service Here Chris and the entire team at Sambora are the best thing about this property. They are all professional, friendly and attentive. The property is a quaint, gated 4 room lodge within a 15 minute drive of Volcanoes National Park and a 3 minute drive to the Ellen DeGeneres Gorilla Campus. Meals and alcohol are included in the rate. Food portion sizes are huge and the food is excellent. My only recommendation is that the new management company invests in some room upgrades. At this price point, all rooms should have an heater given the property is at altitude in the mountains. The rooms have a fireplace and VERY small A/C in the bathroom, but my room got uncomfortably cold at night which caused me to have to sleep in several layers. The staff went out of their way to provide me with a warm water bottle and relight my fireplace before bed, but the room was still freezing. Otherwise, my room was spacious and I appreciate that they use local bath products that benefit Rwandan children. Thank you for the great stay, Chris and team!

Look no further - perfect lodge for National Park! Our stay at Sambora Kinigi lodge in Rwanda was absolutely fantastic. Stunning property with lush greenery and the view of Verunga mountains. The rooms were comfortable, with beautiful views of the garden, and a great fireplace in each room. The service at Sambora Kinigi lodge was top-notch. The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, always going above and beyond to make sure that our stay was enjoyable. The food was absolutely delicious! They even packed us lunch for our daily National park trips. All the food and drinks were included in our stay! One of the best things about Sambora Kinigi lodge is its proximity to the National park. It was so convenient to be able to wake up in the morning and quickly head out for a day of exploring the stunning wildlife and scenery that Kinigi area has to offer. Gorilla trekking was absolutely out of this world, but we also appreciated coming back to the lodge. The staff were so helpful, helping us with our muddy boots and cleaning them off. There is also a complementary massage - truly heavenly after a long hike. Would highly recommend Sambora Kinigi lodge to anyone looking for a peaceful and wonderful retreat in Rwanda. The beautiful property, great service, and convenient location near the National park make it perfect! Don’t look any further - this lodge offers a GREAT value - book it quickly since there are only a few cottages on this property.

Truly an excellent place to stay for gorilla trekking. Fantastic staff who help with any and all needs. Delicious and plentiful food with a great chef who will make basically whatever you want as long as he has the ingredients in stock. Meals are at a communal table and are included in the nightly lodging rate. The bungalows/rooms are very well equipped and quite comfortable. Internet is via starlink and is totally functional. I cannot recommend this place enough if in the area do gorilla trekking.

What a gem of a place! Perfectly located to see the gorillas and visit the Ellen Degeneres campus. The hotel is intimate, just a few cottages set around a beautiful lush garden with lots of flowers and birds, and views of the volcanoes in the distance. The staff were very well trained and very attentive, without being overwhelming. They even organized a chaperone for us to do a run around the village on a Sunday morning. The food was excellent, very fresh and sourced locally. The fireplace in the room was a nice touch as evenings are chilly! So was the complimentary massage and boot cleaning after our gorilla trek. Kai and team, thank you! We will definitely spread the word !