Sambora Kinigi

I can only say wonderful things about this property. First, the location is excellent and that it is very close to volcano national park. You are welcomed to a tribal dance, and performance, fresh drink and a warm welcome as you anre brought into a cosy reception area, which is more like a living room dining room area while we got briefed. There are not very many rooms here, maybe seven, but they are exquisitely decorated with all the amenities you could need. They will stock the mini bar with whatever you wish and they have snacks and a coffee bar and beautiful toiletries. A highlight is the fireplace in the room that they will light for you anytime you want. The beds are extremely comfortable as are the pillows. The meals are communal, but you don’t have to go at a certain time. You just might end up sitting with other guests, which is part of the atmosphere of sharing your stories of gorilla trekking. We met some lovely people during our stay. The staff are extremely accommodating and go above and beyond with service. Every morning they put your gaiters on for you, that they provide for tracking and when you come home, they take your boots away and they clean them and they come back better than new! no exaggeration! every time you come back to the lodge also they have the dance performances.

Our stay here was an unforgettable experience. From the welcome dance by locals to the continuing welcome by lodge staff, it feels like you have entered one of the most beautiful “home away from homes” on the planet. Every piece of furniture and art from local talent greets the eye with a lasting impression that I am still dreaming about. Let’s just say I covet having the gorgeous suite as the place I rest my head forever and I have built and decorated a few! A fire is set, the bed is warmed, the cozy chairs by the fire have a view of a majestic volcano, and the soaking tub and outdoor shower all conspire to lift your spirits. And the FOOD from the inventive chef is 5 star quality. Lastly but most importantly, the guide we had, Eric, the hosts, the massage therapist, the kitchen and dining staff, and the people who help you prep for the gorilla trek and other adventures spoil you with their friendliness and care 24-7. This place is NOT to be missed. Ps. Sambora Private Journeys will set up a tour of a lifetime from the Serengeti to Kinigi and beyond.

Stayed here last week and this place is amazing! Have a gin & tonic happy hour outside around a fire pit which is great — there are only a handful of rooms, so everyone gathers and you get to share stories with travelers from all over the world. Rooms are huge and have a fireplace (at least ours did). Dinner was incredible. Staff thought of everything and loaned us gaiters and backpacks for our trek, as well as a packed lunch. Incredible place, highly recommend!

Sambora Kinigi was one of the highlights of our honeymoon. The lodge is stunning, cozy, beautifully designed, and surrounded by the most incredible views. After long travel and trekking days, it felt like coming home to your own peaceful cabin.
The staff were exceptional as every single person we met was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. They made us feel cared for and completely at ease during our entire stay. The food was delicious and all the small touches made our stay there feel so special. We couldn’t have imagined a better place to stay for our gorilla trekking experience. We absolutely recommend it!

Sambora Lodge personnel made this an incredible experience! Clearly, the focus is on gorilla and golden monkey trekking, volcano hiking, and enjoyment of regional culture/arts. Sambora elevates all of these.
The VIP Kigali airport reception was quick and flawless. We never touched a bag, and were escorted briskly through each step.
Our driver Emile guided us daily, not only providing safe and efficient transportation, but also offering historical and cultural background. For each trekking event, he guided us through the check in process and introductions to park personnel. The hotel’s arrangement of trekking licenses was flawless, taking a potentially bureaucracy — intensive step out of the equation.
At the front of house, Christine welcomed us, and supervised many daily operations to enrich our experience. All trekking equipment was clean and well — maintained. Their ability to clear the mud from our hiking shoes was amazing!
House staff maintained our lovely suite perfectly with thorough cleaning, bed heaters at turn-down, and a roaring fire in the bedroom fireplace each evening.
Finally, one must understand the magician — Chef Revocat. Each dish was as delicious as it was beautiful! His training shines through, as does his commitment to the very best regional ingredients.
If you are heading to the breathtaking Volcanoes National Park, enjoy the astounding views and majestic gorillas— but DONT MISS THIS UNFORGETTABLE HOTEL!

Our very first time to Volcanoes National park to do a two day trek to see the mountain gorillas and we were so fortunate to be booked into this lovely hotel.
Hospitality, rooms, service, food and massage were all top rate.
We had christine, bonheur, david, patience, consolee (masseuse extraordinaire) and chef Revocate to make sure our stay was perfect. Housekeeping staff took very good care of us too! Laundry is complimentary and after trekking in mud all day the staff made sure our shoes were spic and span the next day.
Views are gorgeous and all the vegetables come from their garden. Yummy! Wonderful wine and their special tea is absolutely delicious. Plus they have a very sweet dog!

Sambora Lodge is a gem in the way of hospitality.
The staff were very friendly, accommodating, attentive, and intuitive. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were delicious, served daily and tailored to our dietary preferences. Activities such as birdwatching and gorilla trekking brought us closer to nature and provided us vivid and unforgettable memories. The lodge even provides all the complementary gear for such activities.
Happy hour with Damor was always something to look forward to. He crafts the best cocktails; well balanced in flavor and custom to your desired taste. Bonheur was kind enough to accompany us on our gorilla trekking experience, providing niche knowledge of the area and the surrounding farmland. Patience made sure our breakfast was served in a timely fashion, explaining all the locally grown ingredients and nuances associated with preparing the meal. David and Leila served dinner every evening with warm energy and an accommodating spirit. Dinah and Alya ushered us through our entire Sambora journey, customizing our stay to our preference and honoring our every request.
My wife and I couldn’t have asked for a better honeymoon experience. We’re definitely coming back with family and friends.

What a gem! Sambora was an absolutely unique and unforgettable experience for us. The entire team—both on the ground and behind the scenes—went above and beyond in every aspect of hospitality, organization, and warmth. From seamless airport pick-up to perfectly arranged activities, flawless communication, exceptional dining experiences, beautiful rooms and facilities, and a relaxing spa, every detail was executed to perfection. But most of all, it was the staff who truly made the difference, ensuring that every moment of our stay was memorable.

I travel frequently but very rarely write reviews which is why it has taken me so long to write this one. I had the most wonderful experience at Sambora Kinigi for my fiancé's surprise birthday trip this past February 2025. From the moment I contacted Greg and his addressing of my specific requests, I could tell that this establishment was made to please the traveler. He was most accommodating in reserving our stay as well as arranging transportation with a wonderful guide named Justine. Justine was both convivial and professional, and we appreciated her knowledge. The lodge staff was beyond friendly and gave us the utmost attention. Our meals were delicious and well thought-out for our dietary restrictions. Greg organized side excursions as well as gorilla trekking which ended up being an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience; possibly twice-in-a-lifetime because we plan on returning. I cannot write enough about the staff's hospitality, careful attendance to our needs and ability to make us feel especially welcome.

We were blown away with the whole experience. Nothing was too much for the staff, they really went out of their way. It was not only the quality of the lodge and the service, what made it truly special is the personal attention, passion and friendliness of the staff, and that includes all the staff in every role. They made you feel at home and offered service and suggestions beyond what we would ask for.
Special attention to chef Rev and is team: he is a creative chef and wants to make every meal personalised to the guests needs. When my wife wasn’t feeling well they went out of their way to make special arrangements that helped speedy recovery. All vegetables are grown in their own organic garden.
They lodge is beautiful and all is included, from the drinks and doors to the laundry service and complimentary massage. This makes such a difference to the experience. The massage was a wonderful treatment to relax after the gorilla trek.
The lodge founders philosophy is to contribute to sustainablility and community and social development. And it shows. Please by chef Rev’s sauces: hennas his own brand. And also the great coffee, grown, harvested and roasted by a women collective. All profits to to the Aegis trust, which is the ngo behind the Genocide centre in Kigali. Another must visit.
So, if you can book this lodge!

We stayed here for 3 nights as our base for the Volcanoes National Park and it was fantastic. After a long flight and long drive we arrived to a traditional welcome and the warmth of the staff continued throughout our stay. Khai has a great team and they all went out of their way to be friendly and helpful. Special mentions have to go to David and Patience though who both went above and beyond.
Lodges — the rooms are beautifully done out, with an authentic style and very cosy, which is much needed after days of trekking.
Spa — a massage was included in our stay and it was lovely to come back to that after our first trek.
Dining — the quality of the food was excellent. They grow their own fruit and vegetables so were incredibly fresh. Dining is communal, which might not suit everyone, but given you are all there for the gorillas means you all have something in common. Other than breakfast, there is no menu so you get what has been prepared, unless you have given them specific requirements. All our meals were delicious but I do think it would be helpful to know what the menu for the lunch/ dinner is before it’s delivered to you so that you can decide how much you want to eat (ie if you don’t want all 3 courses).
My only negative was that we had told them before our stay of a decaffeinated coffee requirement and they weren’t able to provide that for the duration of our stay. It wasn’t the end of the world but given we’d asked them in advance was a bit disappointing.

This intimate lodge is the perfect place to launch the Mt Gorilla & Golden Monkey Treks. The entire staff is top shelf! Attentive and lazer-focused on customer service. They make sure you are prepared for the treks. The Chef & on-site garden offers the best in daily cuisine. The food was amazing, healthy & fresh. The driver (arranged by the Lodge) was extremely helpful in arranging the details of the drop-off at the visitor center and assigning us to the appropriate level of trek based on our physical abilities. The Lodge also provided a walking guide to the Ellen DeGenerous — Diane Fossey Gorilla Center as well as the surrounding wet-lands. It is a must-do. Our room was lovely, well-appointed and very clean. Quiet & serene. The complimentary massage was fabulous! My husband & I took home wonderful memories and left our hearts! Thank you Sambora Kinigi!

My husband and I loved staying at Sambora! The location was beautiful and close to Volcanoes National Park. The food was excellent and the cottage was quiet and clean. However the best part was the staff, they will go above and beyond to make your stay special. We really enjoyed talking with Kristen and Bonheur. (I wish I could remember everyone's name! ) We are planning on coming back in the future with our family but for a longer stay.

Wow! What an incredible stay at Sambora Kinigi. Every single detail was well thought out to ensure that we had a special and personalized experience. We came as two families of four people each. We had several dietary restrictions, but the chef managed to work around them and still five is gourmet, farm to table meals. Each staff member worked hard to never say no. Seriously — service is their name and they delivered big time! Our laundry was pressed and cleaned when we needed it. Our shoes were cleaned and ready to go quickly after two excursions. The staff made us snacks to take while we gorilla trekked. The masseuse was available at inconvenient times to make sure we got our complimentary massage. Even with chilly temps, our rooms had heaters and hot water containers to keep our beds toasty at night. Turn down service multiple times a day. The kindness showed across the board was so memorable, and there is nothing about this place that we didn't like! Definitely consider a stay here!

Kai and the staff are so welcoming and amazing. The lodge is beautiful and comfortable and so convenient to Volcanoes National Park. The food is delicious and we also had a fantastic massage in the beautiful spa after 24 hours of traveling.
So many wonderful extras—they repaired our broken suitcase zipper, laundered our clothes and cleaned our muddy boots after trekking.
Basically the staff just spoiled us and we didn’t want to leave!

I stayed at Sambora Kinigi for two nights and honestly, it was one of the most memorable parts of my trip. As soon as I arrived, I was greeted with the most beautiful and unexpected traditional welcome dance, it completely set the tone for the rest of my stay.
I was traveling alone, but the team made me feel so welcome and at home from the very beginning. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive, and the level of customer service was just outstanding.
My room was stunning, full of character with a warm African touch, super comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. The whole place has such a peaceful, intimate vibe. There's a lovely spa and a cozy restaurant where you share the table with other guests which made for great social moments too.
The food was fantastic, fresh, healthy, and beautifully presented. They grow their own vegetables, which makes every meal taste even more special.
The location is perfect too, just a short drive to the Gorilla trekking meeting point, which made everything so easy.
I’d 100% recommend Sambora Kinigi to anyone looking for a relaxing and authentic experience. I left feeling refreshed, cared for, and very grateful.

We booked the whole lodge for exclusive use for a friends birthday — hugely recommend doing this!
The whole experience was amazing! Delicious tea on arrival, excellent selection of wines and beers, some of the nicest food I’ve tasted in Rwanda, and fab massage from ‘magic hands’!
The lounge, rooms and massage room are well appointed with stylish touches and open fires.
The staff could not be more helpful. The views are stunning.