Over the past few months, Sambora has undergone an extraordinary evolution, and the result is something truly special.
Nestled on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, with the mighty Virunga volcanoes rising beyond its gardens, Sambora has built its reputation on warm hospitality, exceptional cuisine, meaningful cultural connections and unforgettable gorilla trekking adventures. It has always offered an intimate, authentic experience. Now, that experience has been thoughtfully and beautifully elevated.
Expanded guest spaces. Beautiful new wellness facilities. Gorgeous upgraded suites. Thoughtful enhancements at every turn. And an entirely new level of luxury that perfectly complements one of Africa’s most remarkable destinations.
These first images offer just a glimpse. Guests have been arriving and the feedback is unanimous: wow. Let’s dive into the enhancements of this boutique lodge, in the heart of the land of 1000 hills.
Already exceptional, now elevated!
Sambora now offers even greater comfort, space and luxury to guests while remaining true to the character and soul that made the lodge so special in the first place.
A Welcoming Arrival
The transformation begins from the moment guests arrive. The entrance area has been reimagined and enlarged so Sambora’s traditional cultural dances have a beautiful area to showcase Rwanda’s warm welcome to the max. It’s impossible not to feel the excitement in the air, it is so vibrant and joyful.
The Heart of the Lodge, Reimagined
The central lodge spaces have almost trebled and blossomed into areas that are full of character, bold and inviting. Additional fireplaces bring warmth and atmosphere to cool mountain evenings, while multiple lounge areas encourage guests to settle in with a coffee or a glass of wine.
A beautifully designed new bar now forms a focal point within the lodge, offering the perfect gathering area to celebrate a once in a lifetime trek with a cocktail or enjoy a nightcap (because how can you even sleep after seeing gorillas in person?).
Perhaps most striking is the thoughtful use of local craftsmanship throughout the lodge. Carefully curated artwork, furnishings and decorative pieces created by local artisans bring the wow factor. The result is a lodge that feels deeply connected to Rwanda and full of personality while delivering the comfort and sophistication today’s luxury travellers expect.
Dining Worthy of the Adventure
Dining has always been one of Sambora’s standout features. The lodge has long been recognised for its exceptional cuisine, now, the setting is every bit as memorable as the food itself.
The dining space now centres around a magnificent handcrafted wooden table, creating an inviting communal environment where guests can gather to share stories of their gorilla encounters, compare photographs and build connections with fellow travellers from around the world. It is these conversations, filled with anticipation and wonder that often become an unexpected highlight of a stay at Sambora and add to the magic!
Introducing the New Sanctuary Suites
The biggest accommodation news is the addition of two new Sanctuary Suites, and they are truly something special. At 80 square metres, each one feels like a private retreat in the forest — with its own heated plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers, an indoor bath, beautiful linens, plush furnishings, local art and, of course, a crackling fireplace.
They are spacious, cocooning and deeply romantic in feel. The kind of suite where guests can return after a trek, sink into a bath, wrap themselves in a blanket, listen to the birds outside and feel completely spoilt!
Enhanced Suites Across Every Category
The transformation extends far beyond the new Sanctuary Suites. Every accommodation category has been thoughtfully enhanced to deliver more comfort for guests. The kind of suites that are hard to leave, even when one of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences is waiting outside.
Superior Forest Suites
Previously known as the Luxury Cottages, these two spacious suites now include newly added outdoor showers, allowing guests to start or end the day immersed in the sights and sounds of the lush surroundings.
Forest Suites
Formerly the Luxury Suites, these three suites now feature an indoor bath, the perfect way to end a trek and reflect on the incredible adventure (with some epsom salts) while all suites include outdoor showers.
Junior Suites
Previously known as the Signature Rooms, the two Junior Suites now feature their own fireplaces, creating a warmer, cosy space when Kinigi’s cool mountain evenings roll in.
The result is enhanced luxury across every category all while maintaining the lodge’s exceptional value proposition and remaining a small lodge with only 9 suites on offer.
More Wellness, More Relaxation (and a reason to stay a little longer)
Guests can now enjoy a newly added heated swimming pool, providing the perfect place to relax between activities and have a dip! A space to let the memories sink in and to enjoy the peacefulness of the lodge (and perhaps start preparing for the next trek – we always recommend two if possible).
The wellness centre has also doubled in size and now includes an additional treatment room and a brand new sauna. And in this part of Rwanda, a sauna feels like exactly the right kind of luxury: warm, restorative and deeply welcome after a morning on the mountain.
And as always, every guest continues to receive a complimentary 45-minute massage during their stay, one of the many thoughtful inclusions.
Image credits: Sambora Kinigi
