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Sambora Kinigi

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda · by Sambora · also known as Sambora Kinigi Lodge

Lodge
From, per person
$746
Size
9 rooms
Children
10+
Location
Near the park
To Kinigi park HQ
15 min drive
Best months
Jun – Aug

Sambora Kinigi is a lodge of 9 rooms run by Sambora just outside Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. It publishes only a starting price: from $746 per person per night, fully inclusive. Gorilla permits are bought separately: $1,500 per person per trek.

Close to the gorilla treks
About 15 minutes from Kinigi park HQ, where treks start at 7am.
Massage and wellness
Massage or spa treatments.

Location

Set in tropical gardens in the Kinigi valley in the Virunga foothills, just outside the park, with villages around it. The property is unfenced and wildlife can pass through.

VolcanoesGarden

Suite terraces and tropical gardens look out to the Virunga volcanoes (peaks not named)

PositionNear the park, outside it
Drive to Kinigi park HQ15 min
Compared with Volcanoes lodges4th closest of 9
ElevationNot published
Nearest townKinigi
Helipad at the lodgeNot published

Agent says 15 minutes to the park entrance; operator says 'minutes from the gates'.

Neighbours

Villages around Kinigi; address on RN 18, Kinigi.

Lodges within 2 km: One&Only Gorilla's Nest (1.6 km), Wilderness Sabyinyo (2 km).

Approximate location. Pins show the lowest published rate per person per night.

Who it's for

Gorilla trekkingGorilla treks start from Volcanoes National Park HQ at Kinigi.
Massage and wellnessOffers massage or spa treatments.

Tags come from verified facts, not opinions. Each one shows why it applies.

Gorilla trekking and activities

Treks are run by the Rwanda Development Board, not the lodge. Every visitor meets at park headquarters in Kinigi at 7am and is assigned to a gorilla family. Your lodge books the permit and drives you there.

Permit$1,500 per person per trek
Minimum age15
Group sizeUp to 8 visitors
Time with the gorillas1 hour
Low-season discount30% off Nov–May*
Porter (optional)About $10 + tip

*With at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe on the same trip. Fees from the Rwanda Development Board, 2026.

Activities at Sambora Kinigi

ActivityCostMin. ageNotes
Gorilla trekkingExtra cost (permit)15Permit extra (national rule: min age 15); permit price USD 1,500 per Wilderness/Singita
Cultural / community visitAvailable—Community activities

How reliably you'll see

Mountain gorillas · Very likely (97% of surveyed travellers saw them)Buffalo · Sometimes (22% of surveyed travellers saw them)Elephant · Rare (2% of surveyed travellers saw them)

Park fees and permits

WhatAdultPer
Golden monkey tracking$100per person
Mount Bisoke climb$75per person
Dian Fossey tomb hike$75per person
Exclusive gorilla trek (whole group, max 8)$15,000per group

Foreign non-resident rates from Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

When to go

Best conditionsGoodWetter or quieterBlue dots: rainfall

Volcanoes National Park is at its best Jun – Aug, in the long dry season. The long rains run March to May and the short rains October to November. Treks and drives go ahead in the rain, and lodges often charge less.

Rates

Sambora Kinigi publishes only a starting price: from $746 per person per night, fully inclusive. There is no seasonal rate sheet, so ask the lodge or an agent for your dates. Source, checked 2026-10-21.

Rooms and amenities

Rooms

  • 9 × Suite, sleeps 3 · private terrace; some with fireplace; rain shower · 2 adults + 1 child

Amenities

Spa / massageLibrary / lounge

Getting there

Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL), then go by road or helicopter. The lodge puts the road transfer at about 2.5 h.

By road
3 h

From $395 per vehicle, one way. Your lodge or agent arranges the driver; there's no need to find one yourself.

Helicopter · Akagera Aviation
30 min

From $1,771 per aircraft, one way. Smallest helicopter seats 3 with a 180 kg limit for people and bags.

Who flies

Akagera Aviation
Agusta 109; Agusta 139; Robinson 44; Agusta 119

Helicopter charters, lodge/park transfers and scenic tours across Rwanda. Limit is total weight (passengers + luggage) per aircraft per route.

Questions

How much does Sambora Kinigi cost?

Sambora Kinigi publishes only a starting price: from $746 per person per night, fully inclusive (checked 2026-10-21). It has no published seasonal rate sheet, so ask the lodge or an agent for your dates.

When is the best time to visit Sambora Kinigi?

June, July and August are the driest, best months in Volcanoes National Park. The long rains run March to May; lodges stay open and prices are lower.

Can children stay at Sambora Kinigi?

Yes, children of age 10 and up are welcome. Gorilla trekking is only for ages 15 and up, so younger children stay at the lodge during treks.

How do you get to Sambora Kinigi?

Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL). Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours by road from Kigali or about 30 minutes by helicopter.

Before you go

VisasVisa on arrival available to citizens of all countries (since 1 Jan 2018) or in advance via Irembo; visa fee max USD 50 single-entry / USD 70 multiple-entry; fee waived for 30-day visits by AU, Commonwealth and Francophonie citizens; EAC citizens get a free 6-month pass; passport should be valid 6 months beyond departure.
Yellow feverCertificate required for travellers aged 1+ arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission; not required when arriving directly from non-risk countries (e.g. the US). Vaccine generally not recommended for Rwanda itself.
MalariaThe CDC says malaria is present in all areas of Rwanda, primarily P. falciparum, chloroquine-resistant; prescription prophylaxis recommended (atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine). Visit Rwanda also recommends prophylaxis.
TippingTypical guidance: private guide USD 10 pp/day; park guide USD 5 pp per trek; rangers USD 5 each; trackers USD 5 per group; porter hire ~USD 10 plus USD 2-5 tip (Volcanoes Safaris suggests USD 20 pp/day for gorilla porters); lodge staff USD 5-10 pp/day; tip in cash USD or RWF.
MoneyRates are quoted in US dollars; the local currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF).
PlugsTypes C, E, F, G · 230V 50Hz

Rules change. Check official sources before you travel.

Sources

Every fact on this page is tied to a source. Facts checked 2026-10-21. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

Operator website
samborakinigi.com/
Supports: Neighbours
high
2026-10-21
Operator website
samborakinigi.com
Supports: Published from usd
high
2026-10-21
Park authority
atta.travel/organisation/sambora-kinigi-lodge.html
Supports: Drive to activities, Nearest town, Views
medium
2026-10-21
Agent listing
yellowzebrasafaris.com/rwanda/accommodation/sambora-kinigi/
Supports: Activities, Adults only, Amenities, Land type, Location, Minimum age, Style, Transfer time
high
2026-10-21
Agent listing
yellowzebrasafaris.com/us/rwanda/accommodation/sambora-kinigi/
Supports: Position, Setting, Views
medium
2026-10-21
Trade platform
atta.travel/resource/new-member-sambora-kinigi-lodge.html
Supports: Operator, Rooms, Status
high
2026-10-21
Mapping source
travelbutlers.com/property/sambora-lodge
Supports: Drive to activities, Map location
medium
2026-10-21

Photos show Volcanoes National Park, not Sambora Kinigi: Photo: Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0; Photo: Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0; Photo: Adygrafix250, CC BY 4.0; Photo: Wood Wildlife Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0; Photo: Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0.