Sambora Kinigi

Our stay at this hotel was truly exceptional from start to finish. It began with a warm Rwandan welcome featuring traditional drum song and dance. The cozy cabins were spacious and well appointed, and featured a fireplace that was thoughtfully lit every evening after dinner. The staff was outstanding- attentive to every need and always going above and beyond. The food was gourmet quality, delicious and exceeded expectations. Staff also prepared us for our Gorilla Trek by fitting us with gaiters and providing lunch for our journey. On return they cleaned our muddy boots back to looking new. A special Thanks to Kai, who provided incredible support during a small emergency. Her calm presence and assistance with communication throughout the process were deeply appreciated. Experience was unforgettable, thanks to the dedicated staff, excellent amenities and thoughtful touches. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a remarkable stay!

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.

Wonderful stay! Staff are friendly and attentive. Food was excellent. Herbal teas and juice tasty. Great selection. Rooms and lounge gorgeous. Hot water bottles and fireplace in the room a lovely cosy touch. Great location for trekking in the park. Will return!

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.

We had a terrible experience at Sambora Kinigi Lodge. Room was lovely but freezing cold, power kept going on and off several times an hour, when the power went off, the water in our bathroom went off. Both sinks were leaking water all over the floor. Staff tried hard to remediate the situation but it was clear that their infrastructure was faulty. The atmosphere and food were very good, however, 3 of the 4 of us got food poisoning on the second night. Sambora was the only place we had all eaten within 24 hours of being struck by 12 hours of severe vomiting and diarrhea; so bad that we had to cancel our second day of gorilla trekking, which is what we came for. Our travel company acted quickly to find us a better hotel for the last night of our stay in the area. We thought we were dealing with the manager, a woman named Kai, who was trying her best. All 3 of us who got sick were very nice throughout the ordeal and even gave Kai and her team a decent tip before we left. We then found out that Kai was not the manager, that the manager is a man, who never approaching us about any of these issues. The most galling part is that he told our travel coordinators in Rwanda and our fantastic driver, that we were making all of this up and that no one else on the property was having any problems. Despite the fact that electricity throughout the camp was off at times. Everywhere else we stayed in Rwanda was fantastic. We would go back to see more of the country, but NO WAY would we consider staying at Sambora Kinigi Lodge.

This lodge is an absolutely perfect launch point for gorrilla trekking and other Rwanda adventures. The lodge is extremely nice, new, and comfortable while still feeling a very authentic jungle-vibe. Everything from the dinners to the in-room fireplaces are intimate and the staff goes above and beyond to make the experience unforgettable.