Guest reviews Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

by Meander483021

Luxury, attention to detail, I felt like royalty.

This was my third consequtive year of staying at Sabyinyo. I wouldn't book anywhere else for a Gorilla trekking experience. Super high quality, fine dining, lovely hosts and a receptionist / masseuse called Flora who silently and efficiently makes your stay 5*. She somehow knows when you are ready to dine, in need of a massage or longing for a cup of tea. Thanks Flora for your attention to detail and see you in 2021. Stay safe guys.

by yogmimi Kigali Rwanda

Superb Hospitality and Service

We spent two nights here last week with our three children and were thrilled to experience this incredible paradise at the foot of Sabyinyo volcano. The staff were all excellent - waiting on our every need and delivering a superb array of evening cocktails. The senior management, Charlie and Phil did a stupendous job making us all feel welcome and delivering a seamless luxury experience. Although our kids are too young for trekking, we strongly recommend Silverback Lodge for those seeking a classic and stunning departure point for the gorillas, golden monkeys, and the range of activities in Ruhengeri. The food, by the way, was first class with plenty of delicious options at every meal.

by ENicoleD Chicago, Illinois

Wonderful visit

Had a lovely stay at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and would highly recommend staying here. Welcome: upon arrival, we were greeted and offered a tiny shuttle or to take the stairs up to the main lodge. We took the shuttle, however opted for the stairs a few other times during the stay. Once at the main lodge, we were warmly received by managers Charlie and Philip as well as the rest of the staff (the lemonade welcome drink was delicious!) and Fidel helped bring our bags to the room. Room: the room was quite nice. It was kept very clean, and the bed was comfortable (I have been gifted with back problems and the bed didn’t cause any issues). The bathroom was nice and included shower gel, shampoo & conditioner, as well as a hair dryer which I didn’t expect. A fire was lit each night to keep our room cozy, and a warm water bottle was a treat to find under the blankets. There were also 3 wall heaters that did their job. Grounds: the grounds were lovely to walk around. Given that we were here during the pandemic, there was only one other couple at the lodge. We were able to explore the grounds and garden and the views from each room. I think I recall 2 rooms having direct views of the volcanoes from the porch- the family lodge and another one meant for couples. Our room looked out into some trees and flowers. Food: the food was delicious. You were given 2 options for an appetizer, 3 options for the main course, and 2 options for dessert for both lunch and dinner each night. Breakfast was a choice among 3-4 different offers. My husband is dairy free and the staff went above and beyond in accommodating this. You were asked at the end of each meal to select what you would want for the next but we didn’t have issue with this. I Only wish we knew what was for dinner before we selected lunch in case we wanted to be strategic with what we ordered for each! Drinks: they have a wide assortment of beverages both alcoholic and non alcoholic. You won’t go thirsty. Amenities: We were staying there as we were going on a gorilla trek. While we brought our own, the lodge has gloves, gaiters, and backpacks for you to use for your trek. Afterwords, they clean your boots and gaiters (ours looked brand new) which was wonderful as they were both covered in mud. They also provided laundry service. There is a spa, however it was closed due to Covid. Staff: the staff made the stay so wonderful and we were sad to leave. A special thank you to Cedrick and Fidel who made our stay great. The managers Charlie and Philip were so warm and welcoming the entire time and were also a wealth of knowledge. Bonus: we were given a reusable water bottle and 2 wooden gorillas for our stay to keep.

by Ecki59 Friedrichshafen, Germany

Very pleasant stay in luxury 5 Star

We staid 3 nights in the lodge and it was wonderful. The manager Barbara from Italy is phantastic. The team is very good. We even had the security team walking with us when we decided to watch out for birds around the lodge. They explained everything to us and guided us around. On one evening we had our anniversary and the team prepared a wonderful dinner for us on our terrace as private dinner in a wonderful location. Nothing to make better....

by brianpZ7519YT Saint Louis, Missouri

Mountain Sanctuary

If you are going to spend the money to see the gorillas in Rwanda there’s no better place to stay than the Silverback Lodge. If you are on a budget, forget it. Don’t stay there and complain about the price. The lodge is located in the foothills above the valley and has unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains. Most other lodges are on the valley floor with no substantial views. It’s location is separate from the population on the main roads. It’s only a quick 10 minute drive to the gorilla guide station where all gorilla tours are organized and assembled. The individual guest bungalows are tastefully decorated and adorned with charming patios over looking the valley. The main lodge is terrific with a living room where guests can meet and discuss travel and the days events. The food is outstanding along with all services. Your day begins with coffee or tea being brought to your place before breakfast. Don’t miss staying at this lodge. It’s worth every penny.