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Journey into the heart of Volcano’s National Park for an intimate and life changing experience meeting Rwanda’s famous Silverback Gorillas. Let us indulge you with exquisite dishes made using local and seasonal ingredients served to the very highest quality standards. Enjoy fruit, vegetables, herbs, cheese, yoghurt and honey grown and produced locally – meet the farmers and producers. Relax by the eucalyptus stoked wood fire and take in the aromas and breathtaking views from our luscious tropical gardens.
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Nestled in a prime yet secluded location, Sambora Kinigi Hotel receives high marks for its proximity to gorilla trekking and serene volcano vistas. Guests are enamored with the cozy rooms, complete with warm fireplaces and laud the attentive service that adds a personal touch to their stay.
The hotel's value is celebrated for its reasonable rates, which include meals and services like massages. Visitors are charmed by the tranquil atmosphere and commend the cleanliness, particularly the meticulous boot cleaning after excursions.
Location
Secluded
Atmosphere
Serene
Rooms
Cozy
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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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.
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Imanishimwe Khairat, Other at Sambora Kinigi
Responded Jan 24, 2025
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! It warms our hearts to know you felt so at home and cared for during your stay at Sambora Kinigi. Christine and the entire team truly enjoyed hosting you, and it’s wonderful to hear that the small touches, like the fire and warm bottle, made your experience special. We’re glad you loved the meals and appreciated our team’s efforts to accommodate your needs. Your kind words inspire us to continue creating memorable stays for our guests. We hope to welcome you back someday for more adventures and cozy evenings. Safe travels, and thank you again for choosing Sambora Kinigi!
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Sambora, an incredible property with even more amazing people, offers a safe and great location for Volcanoes National Park. The service and staff are incredible, and the food, prepared by the chef, is simply extraordinary—a perfect blend of fresh flavors.
Thanks to Greg and Faith for their exceptional booking assistance. They handled all our transportation and lodge bookings, ensuring everything was as promised from airport pickup to the lodge and guided gorilla and monkey treks. We were thoroughly taken care of.
The staff genuinely makes you feel like family, which is why we highly recommend Sambora and hope to return soon.
The rooms are beautifully appointed with comfortable beds, wood-burning fireplaces, ample space for sitting and working, and sitting areas.
Safety is a top priority at Sambora. The location is incredibly quiet and peaceful, providing a worry-free experience. Alfonse was a great driver. Met us at the airport and took care of our family for the entire stay.
The food and drinks are simply unforgettable. Every day and every meal is an extraordinary experience, thanks to the talented team of Christin, Brenda, Rachel, Kai, Obed, Patience, and the chef.
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â We booked the lodging with Sambora Kingi and they also arranged trekking for gorillas and golden...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Imanishimwe Khairat, Other at Sambora Kinigi
Responded Jan 10, 2025
Thank you for your heartfelt review and kind words about Sambora Kinigi Lodge. It’s wonderful to hear that you felt at home with our team, means the world to us. We’re especially delighted that the warmth and dedication of our team made such a lasting impression. Thank you for recommending Sambora and sharing your thoughtful feedback. We hope to see you soon!
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For a visit to Volcanoes National Park, gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking as well as various hikes we stayed as a family for 4 nights at Sambora Kinigi. From other travelers who had been here 2 years ago, we heard a very negative review (probably before there was a change of ownership last year), but we were totally thrilled!
Sambora Kinigi is not necessarily luxurious, but very tasteful and beautifully decorated and is set in a beautiful garden with tropical vegetation. Above all, it is the wonderful team that made our farewell after 4 days really difficult. From Kay, who felt she was always present and available for all questions and concerns, to the extremely hard and attentive, very friendly people in the service (after the first drinks order, for example, you didn't have to mention in others that you like to drink the water with or without carbon dioxide, it was of course brought the right water etc.), the cook who spoiled us with sensationally good, local food at any time of the day (and no matter what time of day you returned from an activity, cooked something fresh directly) to the physiotherapist who massaged us really well and effectively next to a crackling fireplace after strenuous hikes, the nice housekeeping, the manager...we felt absolutely comfortable and wonderfully welcome.
Particularly loving details were e.g. that on our return from a strenuous activity the hiking boots and gaiters were taken off, with a fresh fruit juice...the shoes were then freshly cleaned the next morning ready again! Every evening after dinner we found hot water bottles in our beds. And all guests have dinner together at the "family table", which led to a wonderfully familiar atmosphere and great conversations. In short: a real "home away from home" in the best sense with an incredibly warm team. We would also award 6 stars if it were possible!
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is by far one of the best places we have ever stayed.
Sambora is the DREAM location to stay if you are visiting Rwanda to see Gorillas or the golden monkeys. Having stayed in lovely lodges across South Africa and Uganda, this is a cut above.
The location is perfect with a secluded jungle feel but with views over the volcanoes. It’s also really close to the trekking start point and the headquarters where you get a brief before the trek. This means that we could get up at a reasonable time and have a good breakfast and still be on time. Being within short walking distance of the Dian Fossey gorilla museum made a big difference too as we could just pop in in the afternoon.
Sambora’s accommodation is brilliant. The cottages, set amongst the forest, are fully equipped with WiFi, state of the art fittings and appliances as well as a fireplace which is so lovely to sit by when returning home from seing the gorillas.
The staff are incredible - kind and attentive and provide a personal experience that is unrivalled. The small size of Sambora meant the experience was really personal and every staff member made us feel at home.
The food and drink was perfect. Each meal was a sensation, with local produce and flavours with traditional high-end dining options. My partner is vegan and they made brilliant dishes for her which is testament to the brilliant chef. The drink selection was expansive and we tried many local beers and African wines.
I honestly can’t recommend Sambora enough - please make the trip here… you won’t regret it!
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â You can ask to eat outside around the fire pit which we did for lunch when it was sunny out.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Imanishimwe Khairat, Other at Sambora Kinigi
Responded Sep 6, 2024
Dear truly2019, Thank you for your amazing review! We’re thrilled that Sambora Lodge exceeded your expectations and became one of your favorite places to stay. It’s fantastic to hear that our location, close to the gorilla and golden monkey trekking starts, as well as the Dian Fossey museum, made your visit so convenient. We’re glad you enjoyed the cottages, the attentive staff, and the personalized experience. It’s wonderful that our chef was able to cater to vegan preferences and that you enjoyed the local produce and drink options. Thank you for highly recommending us! We look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable stay
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We stayed for 2 nights to do the gorilla and golden monkey trekking, and were the only guests in the hotel both nights. We thought the Sambora was absolutely wonderful and really enjoyed our stay! It was the accommodation highlight for us in Rwanda and we would definitely recommend it. It would particularly suit couples looking for something a bit more "special" and "off-the-beaten track" with a cozy and intimate feel. However, note that it might not be to everyone's taste (see "other considerations" below).
Pros - Excellent service, everyone super friendly and going out of their way to help (e.g. cleaning our shoes, lending gaiters, fetching umbrellas, refilling our drinks non-stop, giving us their whatsapp contact in case we needed anything urgently), and always lots of staff around ready to help instantly. - Delicious, plentiful, fresh and varied food, the chef was absolutely excellent! We actually asked him where he trained because we were stunned at how "high-end" the cuisine was! We also had so much food that we ended up giving our packed sandwiches to the gorilla trackers (given we were still getting lunch as well), who were delighted. :) - Super cute and private little chalet-style rooms, really cozy with a roaring fire going. Chalets are surrounded by trees with lots of birds, which makes it seem like you're in the bush even though it's on the outskirts of "town". Well-equipped (e.g. wifi in each room), and they also made a special welcome for us in the room when we arrived, with candles and rose petals. - Full-board package including drinks, mini-bar, and also a 30 minute massage each, which was a lovely unexpected bonus! -They also put on a traditional "Rwandan welcome dance" on arrival.
Cons - We did have a few problems with the infrastructure (e.g. power cuts on the first day, lack of water on the second), though the staff always managed to fix these quite quickly and were very responsive and apologetic about it.
Other considerations - At night once the fire went out it got pretty chilly and damp in the room, so getting up in the morning and putting cold clothes on was a bit unpleasant, though all par for the course at that altitude. - As the chalets are surrounded by the trees, they are a bit on the dark side, and there were a few bugs that got in, but nothing that couldn't be easily escorted out the door with a glass and a magazine. - Not relevant for us as we were the only guests, but we understand normally that everyone sits together at the dining table, so this could be an issue if you aren't the more social type. - The dirt road leading to the entrance is a little rutted, it's fine with a high clearance vehicle, but would not recommend trying it in a small car. - The fire is lovely and essential in the room (see the comment about it getting chilly), so if you don't like having a fire burning in your room then this would not be a good option for you.
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Imanishimwe Khairat, Other at Sambora Kinigi
Responded Jan 24, 2025
Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable stay with us, from the cozy chalets to the delicious meals prepared by our chef. It’s wonderful that the service and personal touches made your experience feel so special. We also appreciate your understanding regarding the infrastructure issues, and we’re pleased to report that these have all been addressed to prevent future occurrences. We're glad our team was able to respond quickly and keep things running smoothly for you. We hope to welcome you back to Sambora Kinigi in the future for another unforgettable experience!
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The Sambora property is beautiful and perfectly located, right outside Volcanoes National Park. However, the staff and the hospitality are by far best part of the stay. We stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023 and from the moment we arrived, everything was taken care of. The food is amazing and the chef and kitchen staff went above and beyond to cater to our preferences and made sure we were never hungry. Every meal was delicious and the local coffee, beer and wine were top notch.
Other things that stood out about Sambora: each cottage has a wood burning fireplace, which was great for evenings. The staff immediately cleaned our boots (very muddy given rainy season) after hiking each day, and even did our laundry! They provided a complimentary massage, which was very good and exactly what we needed after a long day of adventure.
Seeing the mountain gorillas was the highlight of our visit , but staying a Sambora made our entire experience that much better. Thanks again to the entire staff at Sambora!
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Imanishimwe Khairat, Other at Sambora Kinigi
Responded Jul 21, 2024
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the delicious meals and that our team catered to your preferences. It's an honor to have been a part of your memorable visit to see the mountain gorillas. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back in the future! Warm regards, Sambora Kinigi Team.
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Lodge is brand new , internet is very fast and reliable. Chef makes high quality meals daily like salads and western style meals. We requested oats for breakfast and they also made it happen.
We had massage in our room and also dinner in room based on our request.
There is a freshly lit fireplace in your room and fresh flowers in the dining room. There’s also unlimited free flow wines and beers and drinks and snacks. Our server named Obed was very good and he will arrange anything you want.
Highly recommend. Was unsure initially about booking here as lodge was new but turned out to be a great choice .
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Khairat Ishimwe, Other at Sambora Kinigi
Responded Jul 18, 2024
Dear Foo, Thank you for your wonderful review! It's great to know you found the internet fast and reliable, and that our chef impressed you with high-quality meals. We're especially pleased to hear that Obed provided excellent service and attended to your needs. We're thrilled you chose to stay with us and that it turned out to be a great choice. We look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic experience!
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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!
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Everyone practically catered to our comfort from the attendant that lit the fire in our fireplace to the room attendant.
Most importantly, Christela & Emmy made sure we are take care of & always asked if we needed anything. The Chef also provided great food & always had some appies for us when we arrived from our daily excursion.
The grounds were well appointed & very lush with flora in a park like setting.
Would definitely stay here again on my next visit.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Khairat Ishimwe, Other at Sambora Kinigi
Responded Jul 18, 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed a comfortable stay with us for three nights. We're especially pleased that Christella and Emmy ensured you were well taken care of and always checked if you needed anything. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit! Our gates are always open for you to come back to your other home.
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A beautiful, luxurious lodge next to Volcanoes National Park. From our initial welcome by local dancers/musicians until the moment we left the staff were friendly and keen to attend to our every need. We visited in December but the rooms were kept cosy by an open fire and a special touch was the hot water bottle we were given when going to bed! The cottages were really comfortable and private. The full board food was excellent as was the wine. The location was really convenient for our Gorilla trek and the included massage most welcome afterwards. We were able to walk to the nearby Ellen de Generes museum.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Christian Uwizeye, Guest Services / Front Office at Sambora Kinigi
Responded Dec 24, 2023
Dear Jill Thank you so much for taking the time to share your incredible experience at our lodge. We're delighted to hear that your stay with us, from the warm welcome with local dancers and musicians to the moment you departed, was filled with positive moments. It's so great to hear you found our cottages comfortable and private, and we're thrilled that the open fire and hot water bottle added a special touch to keep you cozy during your December visit. We strive to create a luxurious and memorable experience, and your kind words affirm that we are on the right track. We're pleased to hear that the full board food, wine, and the included massage met your expectations. Your mention of the convenient location for the Gorilla trek and the opportunity to walk to the nearby Ellen DeGeneres museum is much appreciated. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back for another unforgettable stay. stay safe!
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There are more places to choose from in the Kinigi area.
PRICE RANGE
$1,214 - $1,442 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Go Lux Lodge
LOCATION
RwandaNorthern ProvinceMusanze DistrictKinigi
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Which popular attractions are close to Sambora Kinigi?
Nearby attractions include Volcanoes National Park (1.9 miles), Iby'iwacu Cultural Village (2.1 miles), and Volcanoes National Park Rwanda (1.9 miles).
