Mountain Sabyinyo hiking tours
Hiking trips to Mount Sabyinyo: While on a Ugandan hiking tour, visitors can climb Mount Sabyinyo, another extinct volcano in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The elevation of the peak is 3,669 meters above sea level. It is regarded as the oldest of the Virunga ranges and serves as a border marker between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Additionally, Mount Sabyinyo volcano links the three national parks of the rain forest created by the three nations, which have a common and well-liked feature: “mountain gorillas.” These include the Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The mountain is one of the best walks in the Virunga ranges, offering breathtaking views and being situated in the adjacent national parks of the three nations. It is strategically located west of Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda and northeast of Lake Kivu in Rwanda. The experience of reaching the summit of three countries is worth experiencing, and climbing Mount Sabyinyo, which is roughly 3,966 meters above sea level, takes 6 to 8 days, depending on the route and speed.
Although Mount Sabyinyo is a difficult climb, some parts of the mountain feature handcrafted ladders to aid hikers and climbers. You will be rewarded with a fascinating forest patch of Hagenia Hypericum between 2800 and 3200 meters, followed by a subalpine zone above 3200 meters. Walking sticks are also always provided to help hikers climb.
Hiking tours of Mount Sabyinyo: Things to do besides scaling the mountain
Gorilla trekking
Because the Mount Sabyinyo volcano connects the three national parks of the rain forest created by the three countries, which have a common and well-liked attraction: the mountain gorillas, gorilla trekking is the most well-known activity in Mount Sabyinyo.
Once located, trekkers have an hour to spend with the intriguing and mesmerizing mountain gorillas, allowing them to engage with them and watch them as they go about their daily lives, including playing, grooming, and many other activities. The one hour you have to take pictures of these incredible primates in the wild is crucial for photography.
Golden monkey trekking
Only in the Virunga ranges of the world is it possible to track golden monkeys, a remarkable activity that is done during a hiking safari in Uganda at Mount Sabyingo-Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga has the densest population of this stunning, rare monkey, with over 4,000 individuals hanging in the bamboo of the park.
While hiking with golden monkeys is a popular activity during a Uganda safari in Mgahinga National Park, visitors may also opt to experience golden monkey habituation. Under the supervision of highly skilled trackers, visitors can see the apes for almost an hour during this event. Occasionally, researchers can also conduct a four-hour golden monkey habituation encounter.
Compared to gorillas, golden monkeys are also more easier to travel since they are easily located because they don’t relocate or establish new nests every day. Daily golden monkey trekking begins at 8:00 a.m. The golden monkeys required a $100 permit.
Bird watching
Mgahinga National Park is home to 115 of the approximately 250 bird species present in the Virunga conservation region. April through May and October through November are the ideal times of year to go birdwatching in this area. The park is home to a variety of bird species, including the Ruwenzori nightjar, fire finch stonechat, double-collar sunbird, pin-tailed whydah, white-necked raven, and paradise flycatcher.
List of items to bring for the Mount Sabyinyo trek
A rain jacket, long pants, hiking boots, sunscreen, pants, a waterproof daypack, camping supplies and equipment, a camera, a long-sleeved shirt, a first aid kit, bottled drinking water, a sweater, insect repellent, and, on a real hiking day, a walking stick are all necessities to have when hiking in Mgahinga National Park, especially at Mount Sabyinyo.
Fees associated with hiking Mount Sabyinyo
You have to pay for a permit to hike through Mount Sabyinyo, and the hike starts at 8:00 a.m. It costs 85 USD per person to hike the Sabyinyo volcano. This covers park admission as well as guide or ranger expenses. We at Mwesigwa Adventure Safaris may make arrangements for you, including lodging, or you can pick up permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kisoro.
Although it is generally preferable to make reservations in advance, you can schedule the hike a day or two in advance. The Ntebeko offices of Mgahinga Park in southwest Uganda are the starting point for hikes to the summit of this enchanted volcano. Your trekking group will be led to the summit of the Sabyinyo volcano by an expert guide.
Hiking tours of Mount Sabyinyo: Accessing the mountain
By road: From Kampala or Entebbe, it takes roughly 8 to 10 hours to go to Kisoro via Masaka-Mbarara. From there, it’s a short drive to Mgahinga National Park, where you may hike Mount Sabyinyo. Those who would rather hike the Sabyinyo volcano can go from Kigali to Kisoro, which is connected to Mgahinga National Park, via the Chanika border. It takes roughly four to five hours to drive from Kigali to Mgahinga National Park in southwest Uganda.
With Mwesigwa Adventure Safaris, you may plan or organize fly-in excursions via ground transportation. The planes depart from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and arrive in Kisoro for your exciting adventure hiking safari.
Safari lodging
In and near Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park, there are numerous places to stay. Among these are the Traveler’s Rest Hotel Kisoro, Mutanda Lake Resort, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mgahinga Rest Camp, and Gahinga Lodge.
There are numerous lodging options available for overnight stays in the Rushaga area of Bwindi National Park, which is the starting point for hiking in Mgahinga National Park. Among these lodges are Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, and Nshongi Camp.