Hiking Mount Sabinyo in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Hiking Mount Sabinyo in Mgahinga gorilla national park; Mount Sabinyo is one of three Virunga volcanic mountains located in Mgahinga gorilla national park which is located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district bordering with Virunga national park in Congo and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Mount Sabinyo is an extinct volcano that is 3645 meters above the sea level and its one of the eight Virunga volcanoes namely Mount Karisimbi, mount Muhabura, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, Mount Mikeno, Mount Nyamuragira and Mount Nyiragongo. Sabinyo is a local Kinyarwanda word which comes from a word Iryinyo that means old man’s tooth due to the fact that the mountains summit looks like a worn out teeth in a gum line.

Hiking mount Sabinyo

Mount Sabinyo is 3645 meters above the sea level and hiking is only done in Mgahinga gorilla national park. Hiking Mount Sabinyo start early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations. After the briefing, you will be provided a walking stick, allocated an experienced park guide, a ranger guide to protect you from any danger, carry packed lunch and start hiking the volcanic mountain. Hiking Mount Sabinyo takes about eight hours round trip depending on your level of fitness that is four hours to reach the summit and four hours to descend down the mountain to the starting point and during the hike you will pass through flat mountain slopes, swamps where you will be able to view wildlife species including animals, primates, different bird species, pass through sharp ridges and crater lakes, different vegetation zones like bamboo, sub-alpine, forest patches learn about the history of the mountain among others. Upon arrival at the summit of Mount Sabinyo, you will be standing in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and democratic republic of Congo. You will also enjoy great views of the Rwenzori mountain ranges, views of Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale, Lake Kivu in Rwanda among others.

Cost of Mount Sabinyo hiking permit.

Mount Sabinyo hiking permit in Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 80 USD per person for foreign non residents, 70 USD per person for foreign residents and 50,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. Mount Sabinyo hiking fees include park entrance fees for Mgahinga gorilla national park and exclude porter fees.

Best time to hike Mount Sabinyo

Hiking mount Sabinyo in Mgahinga gorilla national park can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this time, there is less rainfall in the park therefore hiking trails will be dry and passable compared to the rainy season when the hiking trails are muddy and slippery hence making mountain climbing difficult. During the dry season, vegetation in the park will be thin which helps you to view different wildlife species during the hike.

What to carry or pack for your hiking safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park

There are various items that you should carry or pack for your hiking safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park including hiking shoes to keep your feet dry especially during the rainy season, drinking water and energy snacks, back pack, walking stick, first aid kit, knife, trekking pants and t-shirts, rain jacket/ poncho, hat and sunglasses, insect repellent, camera and extra batteries among others.

How to get to Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.

When using road transport means, you will drive from Kampala or Entebbe via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.

Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where visitors will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters through Cyanika border which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.

When using air transport means, you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with bar aviation or Aero link Uganda from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.

Where to stay in Mgahinga gorilla national park

There are a number of accommodation facilities in Mgahinga gorilla national park where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Mount Gahinga lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari lodge, Mount Gahinga Rest camp, Kisoro Travelers lodge, Mucha hotel, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Muhabura Motel, Mubano Hotel, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Mgahinga Safari lodge, Montana Guest House, Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Lake Chahafi Resort, Mt Muhabura Climbers Rest Camp, Ntebeko River Camp Kisoro among others.

Other activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Apart from hiking Mount Sabinyo, Mgahinga gorilla national park offers other interesting activities that you can engage in including gorilla trekking where you will be able to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas, golden monkey trekking, bird watching, guided nature walks, Batwa trail experience where you will be able to interact with the Batwa people, learn about the lifestyle, learn about their hunting and gathering skills, enjoy their traditional entertainments among others.