Mountain Sabyinyo hiking tours
Mountain Sabyinyo hiking tours: Mount Sabyinyo is another extinct volcano in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where tourists can engage in climbs while they are in Uganda hiking tours. The mountain stands at an elevation of 3,669 meters above sea level. It is known as the oldest in the Virunga ranges and stands between three countries to create markings for borders between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mount Sabyinyo volcano also connects the three national parks of the rain forest established by the three countries, which have one similar and popular attraction, “mountain gorillas.” The parks include the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda itself.
The mountain is strategically located in the west of Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda and the northeast of Lake Kivu in Rwanda, making it one of the best hikes in the Virunga ranges, offering awe-inspiring views in addition to being located in the adjoining national parks of the three countries. Climbing Mount Sabyinyo takes a traveler 6 to 8 days, depending on the route and speed, which are approximately 3,966 meters above sea level, but the experience of being at the summit of three countries is worth encountering and being adventurous. Climbing to the summit of Mount Sabyinyo is also tough, but some sections have been offered with handmade ladders to help a climber or hiker. Walking sticks are also always offered to assist a hiker in climbing, but you will be rewarded with a captivating forest patch of Hagenia Hypericum at 2800 to 3200 meters, then a subalpine zone above 3200 meters.
Mountain Sabyinyo hiking tours: Activities to do besides climbing Mount Sabyinyo
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the most famous activity in Mount Sabyinyo, because Mount Sabyinyo volcano also links the three national parks of the rain forest established by the three countries, which have one similar and popular attraction: the mountain gorillas. Travelers can trek the mountain gorillas, and once found, the trekkers are given one hour in the presence of these fascinating and captivating apes to interact with them and observe how they carry out their day-to-day activities like grooming each other, playing, and many more. Photography is key, and it is during the one hour that you get time to capture images of these amazing primates in the wild.
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey tracking is a notable activity done while on a Uganda hiking safari at Mount Sabyingo-Mgahinga National Park and can only be done in the Virunga ranges in the whole world, with Mgahinga having the densest population of this beautiful uncommon monkey of over 4,000 individuals hanging in the park’s bamboo. Golden monkey trekking is a popular activity done while on a Uganda safari in Mgahinga National Park, but tourists can choose to go for the golden monkey habituation experience instead. This experience allows travelers to study the apes for more than one hour under the guidance of very experienced trackers, and sometimes researchers can also do a four-hour golden monkey habituation experience. Golden monkeys are also a lot easier to trek compared to gorillas because they don’t move and build different nests daily, so they can easily be found. Golden monkey trekking starts every day at 8:00 a.m. The permit for the golden monkeys cost $100.
Bird watching
The Virunga conservation area contains about 250 bird species, of which 115 can be found at Mgahinga National Park, and the best time to do birding here is from April to May and October to November. Some of the bird species in the park include the white-necked raven, pin-tailed whydah, double-collar sunbird, paradise flycatcher, fire finch stonechat, olive woodpecker, and Ruwenzori nightjar, to mention a few.
Packing list for the Mount Sabyinyo hike
The essentials to consider on your hiking adventure in Mgahinga National Park, particularly at Mount Sabyinyo, include a rain jacket, long pants, hiking boots, sunscreen, trousers, a waterproof daypack, camping gear and equipment, a camera, a long-sleeved shirt, a first aid kit, bottled drinking water, a sweater, insect repellent, and on an actual hiking day, a walking stick.
Hiking fees for the Mount Sabyinyo hike
Hiking through Mount Sabyinyo begins at 8:00 a.m., and you are required to pay for a permit. Each Sabyinyo volcano hike costs 85 USD per person. This includes guide or ranger fees and park entrance. Permits can be obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices in Kisoro, or we at Achieve Global Safaris can arrange for you, including the accommodation facilities. You can book the hike a day or two before, but it is always better to book in advance. Hikes to the top of this magical volcano begin at the Ntebeko offices of Mgahinga Park, southwestern Uganda. An experienced guide will be assigned to lead your hiking group to the top of the Sabyinyo volcano.
Mountain Sabyinyo hiking tours: Getting to Mount Sabyinyo
by road: travelers 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 the Sabyinyo volcano can cross the Chanika border to Kisoro and then connect to Mgahinga National Park. Connecting from Kigali to Mgahinga National Park in Southwestern Uganda takes approximately 4-5 hours’ drive.
By air, fly-in tours can be arranged or planned for by a ground flight with us at Achieve Global Safari, and the flights set off at Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro for your fascinating adventure hiking safari.
Accommodation safari
There are many lodging choices in and around Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. They include Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Traveler’s Rest Hotel Kisoro, Mutanda Lake Resort, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mgahinga Rest Camp, and Gahinga Lodge, among others.
In the Rushaga sector of Bwindi National Park gorilla trekking, there are many accommodations visitors can book for an overnight stay and connect to Mgahinga National Park for hiking. This lodge includes Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Nshongi Camp, among others.
