Mount Sabyinyo is one of the preferred volcanoes in the Virunga region by hikers on the Uganda safari tours. Mt. Sabyinyo is popular for its outstanding mountain climbing experiences and it is hiked on the Ugandan side, only in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP). This volcano gets its name from the Kinyarwanda word trying, meaning “tooth.” Local residents refer to Mt. Sabyinyo as “Old man’s teeth” due to its serrated summit that appears as though spaced teeth in the old man’s gum line. Mount Sabyinyo rises up to 3645m and lies at the intersection border of 3 African countries, Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Due to its geographical location, it is shared by three Virunga Protected Areas; Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park, and Congo’s Virunga National Park.
At the base area of Mount Sabyinyo, there are amazing mountain gorillas and other wildlife species. This volcano isn’t hiked on the Rwandan or Congo side, except in Uganda where a trail has been created leading hikers from Ntebeko offices of Mgahinga Park.
Upon reaching the top of Sabyinyo volcano mountain, visitors are guaranteed 360 degrees view of the Virunga Region, a meeting point for 3 countries-Uganda, Congo & Rwanda.
Location
In Uganda, Mount Sabyinyo is positioned in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park one of the leading mountain gorilla trekking destinations. This park and volcano in Uganda are located in the Southwestern side of the country. Getting to Mt. Sabyinyo takes about 8-10 hour drive from Kampala’s capital city.
Climbing Mount Sabyinyo, Uganda
Mount Sabyinyo is known for its rugged terrains at its slopes creating scenic Craters with sharp ridges. In Rwanda and Congo, hiking to the top of the Sabyinyo volcano isn’t possible except only in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Unlike most Virunga Mountain ranges, climbing through Sabyinyo volcano takes just a day about 8 hours where you can spend 4 hours ascending and another set of 4 for descending.
The length of your Sabyinyo volcano climbing may vary depending on the weather, terrain, and fitness level. At the lower slopes, there are distinct vegetation zones ranging from the bamboo zones at 2400 and 2800m, an area that is inhabited by golden monkeys.
From 2800 to 3200m, there is a forest patch of Hagenia hypericum, and as you climb up to 3200, there is a sub-alpine zone with fewer trees. This is an area where the Rwenzori turaco is commonly sighted, and this is one of the endemic Albertine rift bird species.
What to pack for Mount Sabyinyo climbing tours?
Essentials for a successful Mt. Sabyinyo volcano climbing include pair of stockings, gardening gloves, waterproof hiking shoes or boots, lunch, snacks, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, camera, first aid kit, sunscreen, sunglasses, long pants, and bottled water.
Hiking fees for Sabyinyo Volcano
Hiking through Mount Sabyinyo begins at 8:00 am and you are required to pay for a permit. Each Sabyinyo volcano hiking permit costs USD50 per person. Hikes to the top of this magical volcano begin at Ntebeko offices of Mgahinga Park, Southwestern Uganda. An experienced guide will be allocated to lead your hiking group to the top of the Sabyinyo volcano.
Exciting safari activities to do after hiking Mount Sabyinyo
Golden monkey trackingGolden monkey trekking comes second after gorilla trekking when it comes to the most sought for experiences in Mgahinga National Park or Volcanoes National Park. This primate adventure entirely introduces you deep into the bamboo forest to search for a troop of already habituated golden monkeys. The golden monkeys are often sighted playing and they keep jumping from tree to tree. When taking pictures, you must position yourself to capture the best images of these primates.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is one memorable primate adventure you should expect to indulge in after or before hiking Mt. Sabyinyo. Mgahinga National Park for long has had only one habituated gorilla family, Nyakagezi group. This is visited by maximum of 8 guests per day and park guides are available to lead you throughout the trek.
Normal Mgahinga gorilla treks last for 2-6 hours, and once gorillas have been located, maximum of one hour is spared for you to enjoy a face-to-face encounter. Photography is key and it is during the 1 hour that you get time to capture images of these large apes in the wild.
Birding
An estimated bird population of about 180 bird species live in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and majority of these are Albertine rift and forest birds. they include grey crowned cranes, Rwenzori turacos, Rwenzori double collared sunbirds, Kivu ground thrush, Double-toothed barbet, grey capped warblers, Yellow-vented bulbul, speckled mousebird, fire finch, stone chat,
White-tailed blue flycatchers, dusky turtle dove, montane double collared sunbird, Blagden’s bush shrike, Alpine chat, black kite, handsome francolins, crowned hornbill, Chubb’s cisticola, yellow-throated longclaw, yellow-crowned canary, scarlet tufted malachite sunbird, grassland pipit, cinnamon chested bee-eaters and more.
Places to stay
There are many lodging choices in and around Mgahinga NP in Uganda. They include Mount Gahinga Lodge (luxury), Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Traveler’s Rest Hotel Kisoro, Mutanda Lake Resort, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mgahinga Rest Camp, etc.
In the nearby Rushaga sector of Bwindi National Park, there are many accommodation visitors can book for overnight stay and connect to Mgahinga National Park for hiking. Rushaga accommodation include Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge.
Getting there
By road: Guests can travel for about 8-10 hours from Kampala or Entebbe through Masaka-Mbarara to Kisoro where you can drive a short distance to Mgahinga National Park to hike through Mount Sabyinyo. From Kigali, visitors who prefer hiking Sabyinyo volcano can cross through Chanika border to Kisoro and then connect to Mgahinga NP. Connecting from Kigali to Mgahinga N/Park in Southwestern Uganda takes approximately 4-5 hours’ drive. By air; fly in tours can be arranged or planned for by a ground tour operator and flights set off at Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip.
