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.

Our stay at Sambora Kinigi was nothing short of phenomenal. True concierge service every moment of our stay. With manager Khai and host Christine at the helm, the exceptional staff thought of every detail. Our rooms were very comfortable with great amenities. The common area was a cozy place to hang out with our friends to enjoy drinks, snacks and meals with friends and the few other guests. The grounds are beautiful with an organic farm and mushroom hut. The chef was great and able to accommodate our specific diets with great creativity.

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.

I stayed at Sambora Lodge, in Sabiyino House, for 3 nights. Sambora is a wonderful location in lush countryside, close to the Volcanoes National Park and the Dian Fossey Ellen Generes Reseach Centre. The Lodge and grounds are beautifully presented and maintained. The garden is quiet, lush, private and secure, with trees, lawn and flowering plants. It includes an attractive bbq area. The accommodation houses are very private and not seen from each other. Each has it's own setting and terrace amongst the lush trees and plants. They are cozy and thoughtfully furnished with natural materials and contemporary Rwandan style. The bed was very comfortable, the bathroom was large, stylish and had good plumbing and hot water. The wood fire was lit each evening. Each has good wifi. The service is attentive, professional and friendly, melting into the background when not needed, but always available. I very much enjoyed the all inclusive stay and the exceptional and original cuisine, prepared on site and served in a finely presented and contemporary dinning room, with a log fire and well stocked bar. Special food requirements are well understood. Dining is in English countryhouse style at a single table, reflecting the owner's English background. With just 6 bedrooms, expanding to 8, and discerning guests from around the world, conversation is vibrant and adds to the experience. Services such as massage and local guided birdwatching and cultural walks in a mosaic of woodland and traditional fields and pathways enrich the visit. These can be guided in English, French or Kinyarwandan and can be designed to meet the expectations of the guests. A hotel car is available. My visit was a real retreat in a wonderful setting, the best place I have stayed in Rwanda. I would certainly return and recommend it to other visitors.

Excellent on all levels! We recently spent three nights at this lovely lodge as we visited with the gorillas. The whole experience was fantastic from start to finish. The food was fresh and delicious, and the accommodations were perfect, but what made our visit so memorable was the warm and welcoming staff. They went above and beyond in every regard, greeting us, cleaning our muddy boots, helping us with our gators, packing delightful lunches, etc. Highly recommend!