Hello Sambora Kinigi!
Eco -luxury, serenity and a highly personalised experience – this is Sambora Kinigi.
Located a the foothills of the Volcanoes National Park (5 minutes to the entrance of the park and a few hundred metres from the Dian Fossey Campus), Sambora puts you in the heart of the one of the most breathtaking and lush landscapes in Africa. Surrounded by forests, birdlife and views of the magnificent Sabyinyo mountain, one really does feel like you have arrived at your own private retreat in the Rwandan wilderness.
Sambora Kinigi Lodge was founded by three friends – Greg, James, and Sam – who share a love for Rwanda and its incredible wildlife. Inspired by their own journeys exploring Rwanda’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, they established the lodge to provide travelers with an authentic and luxurious experience at excellent value that complements the adventure of gorilla trekking. Sambora is intimate and owner-run with their main office in Kigali and a very experienced hospitality team taking care of every guest to the highest standards. Sambora also offers a private guide/driver service which will ensure VIP meet and greets at Kigali airport, and a tour of the genocide museum included in the rate.
Built with sustainability at its core, Sambora Kinigi Lodge offers a seamless blend of comfort and eco-consciousness and they work closely with the local community to support conservation and socio-economic development initiatives. Every guest who stays at Sambora contributes directly to preserving the endangered mountain gorillas and uplifting the communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park. As part of the all inclusive stay at Sambora, guests have the opportunity to visit a few of the projects Sambora support and contribute too, which are close by to the lodge such as Hand Spun Hope and Red Rocks Cultural Centre, as well as some innovative and fun activities such a cocktail tasting at the new Virunga Mountain Spirits, which support local and they also love it when guests go join Eugene in their gardens, picking out fresh ingredients for that day’s lunch and learning about his farm to fork approach.
Sambora are dedicated to working with local businesses, employing staff from nearby villages, and supporting community-based conservation projects. Their aim is to offer more than just a place to stay; they strive to provide meaningful, authentic experiences that allow guests to connect deeply with the culture, wildlife, and beauty of Rwanda. Whether through gorilla trekking, cultural tours, guided nature walks or their wellness offering, Sambora guests always leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Rwanda’s unique environment.
The Sambora experience!
Below you will find all you need on this new and exclusive lodge and some key USPs for reference:
Sambora lodge is nestled among the five towering volcanoes and can accommodate a max of 12 pax in the below accommodation types:
2 luxury cottages ( their most premium offering)
2 luxury suites
1 luxury family cottage that can be split into two signature rooms
The lodge can also be taken out for exclusive use which works perfectly for small groups or tours.
Their accommodation is modern luxury meets authentic Rwandan culture, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Every touch that our high end guests would be looking for has been tastefully added from luxury amenities, a crackling fireplace, heated towel racks, spacious accommodation, the best quality bedding and linen, well stocked mini bars and a butler service on hand. I can say from personal experience the accommodation is sublime and I loved all the thoughtful touches, such as Sambora slippers given to us to slip into, the hand written welcome notes and gifts, the amazing large rain showers, many charging points and of course my very own Sambora gaitors (and to top it off included in the price is a 45 minute massage in the most peaceful surroundings).
Sambora elevate your guest’s experience with exquisite, gourmet dishes crafted from the finest local and seasonal ingredients, served to the highest standards of luxury dining. Indulge in the varied flavors of locally sourced produce, including fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, cheese, yogurt, and honey—all grown and produced by nearby farmers and artisans. The meals at Sambora is a huge unique selling point, it is creative culinary heaven and they have a patisserie, a barista and a mixologist on site too! Sambora is also a wellness sanctuary – with the most glorious spa offerings. After an exhilarating gorilla trekking adventure or a hike in Volcanoes National Park, unwind in the serene surroundings. They offer a range of indulgent massages and wellness treatments that are good for the body and the soul! Please do download their fact sheet and do give their website a squizz too, which lays out the room configurations and amenities.
Sambora Kinigi Fact Sheet
Sambora Kinigi website
Greg and Faith are always on hand to curate a wonderful stay for your guests at Sambora. Their email addresses are below:
Greg – [email protected]
Faith – [email protected]
Image credit: Sambora Kinigi
