Mount Sabyinyo

Discover everything about the scenic Mount Sabyinyo, one of the best volcano hiking spots in Uganda from interesting facts, height, location, hiking fees, best time to hike Sabinyo, where to stay, what to pack, and getting there.

Mt. Sabyinyo (Sabinyo/Sabinyo) derives its name from the Kinyarwanda word ‘Iryinyo’ which is translated as ‘tooth’. Mount Sabyinyo is the oldest volcano range lying between the three countries in the Virunga region; Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

Mount Sabyinyo is most popular for its nickname ‘Old Man’s Teeth’ thanks to its serrated summit seemingly resembling the spaced teeth of a gum line of an old man.

At a distance, one can observe the scenic serrated Sabyinyo an extinct volcano. It is part of the 8-chain Virunga Volcanoes and is bordered by Lake Kivu to the northeast and Lake Bunyonyi to the west.

Mount Sabinyo is lying at an elevation range of 3669 meters and it is strategically set in the intersection border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If you are an enthusiastic hiker, hiking through Sabyinyo allows you to enjoy the breathtaking views from the 3 East African countries.

The extinct Sabyinyo Volcano contains religious significance for local tribes. It also adjoins the lush Virunga protected areas including Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda, and the Virunga National Park in the DRC.

The scenic Sabyinyo Volcano features lush habitats where the endangered mountain gorillas thrive. The peaks of Mount Sabyinyo can easily be reached on a guided trek or hike starting from the base of Mgahinga National Park.

Mount Sabyinyo & what surrounds it

Mount Sabinyo is suitably lying in the Virunga Region and at the base, it features a diversity of faunal and avifaunal species. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park that is occupied by Sabyinyo features some of the habituated mountain gorilla groups including the Sabyinyo gorilla family, Muhoza, Agashya, Hirwa, and Sabyinyo mountain gorilla groups.

The access routes to the summits of Sabyinyo Volcanoes include the Rurambo trail which leads hikers to the two peaks. A guided walk around the base of Mount Sabyinyo allows you to encounter some of the finest species including bushbucks, elephants, cape buffaloes, and also birds.

The common bird species to expect to find at the foothills of Mount Sabyinyo on the Rwandan side include the speckled mousebirds, Rwenzori turacos, and mountain greenbul. The golden monkeys commonly roam around the Sabyinyo Volcano.

Volcano Hiking to the top of Mount Sabyinyo.

Mount Sabyinyo is open for hiking or volcano climbing only on the Ugandan side. The steep slopes on the Ugandan side are slightly favorable for climbers to reach the summits, unlike the Rwandan site. Hikes to the peaks of Sabyinyo Volcano can take climbers about 8-9 hours but this may vary depending on the hikers’ speed of hiking or climbing.

The day hike to the peaks of Mount Sabyinyo begins with a briefing from the expert. The ranger guide can be allocated to take you on a guided hike. When you think about embarking on the Sabyinyo Volcano hike, expect to conquer the 3669-meter elevation range.

Essentials to pack for Mount Sabyinyo Hiking or Climbing Tour

The essentials to consider carrying for the Sabyinyo Volcano hiking adventure include a pair of gardening gloves, snacks, adequate bottled water, a safari hat, light clothes, a rain jacket or poncho, a camera, extra camera battery, first aid kit, insect repellents, daypack, trousers, and others.

How long does the Sabyinyo Volcano climbing take

A normal hike through Sabyinyo can require at least 2 to 3 days. But this may depend on your location from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Also, climbers must secure their hiking permits early through the local tour operator they intend to book a tour with.

What is Sabyinyo Volcano hike like?

Sabyinyo hike offers an intermediate level of hiking adventure. Climbers spend between six and nine hours on a round climbing excursion. Visitors with heavy luggage have a chance to hire a porter to assist with heavy luggage. The beauty of hiring a porter is that you get relieved of the heavy load and only concentrate on the hike to conquer the peaks of the scenic Sabyinyo Volcano.

The first 45 minutes can be spent navigating via the lush bamboo forest. As you navigate, you may chance to find mountain gorillas (If you are lucky enough).

When to go to hike Mount Sabyinyo

Sabyinyo Volcanoes is best explored during the peak season and this occurs twice a year. The longest dry season is experienced from June to September and the shortest often falls around December, January to February.

How much is Mgahinga Volcano Climbing?

Volcano hiking fees in Mgahinga National Park vary depending on the visitor category. Foreign nonresidents pay USD 100 per person, foreign residents USD 80, and Ugandans pay UGX 50,000 per person. The cost of hiking volcanoes in Mgahinga like Sabyinyo includes hiking fees, ranger guide fees, and entrance fees. It excludes porter fees and cooks.

Where to stay on the Sabyinyo Volcano climbing tour

Top places to consider for an overnight stay after or before Sabyinyo Volcano hiking adventures in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park range from budget to luxury. They include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mutanda Eco Community, Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, and Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge.

Getting to Sabyinyo Volcano

Getting to Sabyinyo can be by road or air. By road, visitors’ journey involves driving from Kampala or Entebbe via Masaka-Mbarara to Kisoro to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda. The entire journey can take between 8 and 9 hours. Or you can drive from Kigali via Katuna or Chanika border –about 4-5 hours’ drive.

By air, climbers can also take a flight right from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield and land at Kisoro Airstrip in Southwestern Uganda. The fly-in tour can take about 1-2 hours and on arrival, you can be welcomed by an expert who then can transfer you to the park.

Getting around Mgahinga National Park besides Sabyinyo Volcano Hiking

Besides Sabyinyo volcano hikes, Mgahinga National Park is an ideal destination for visitors to enjoy gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, birding, and Batwa trail experience. The birding tours in Mgahinga National Park involve exploring most of the resident and endemic species. The notable birds of birders’ interest in Mgahinga include moorland chat, Dusky crimsonwing, Cape robin-chat, Kivu ground thrush, cinnamon bracken warblers, brown crowned tchagra, dusky turtle dove, strange weaver bird, and cinnamon chested bee-eater.

Conclusively, Mount Sabyinyo is one of the 3 Virunga Volcanoes found in Mgahinga National Park. The rest include Mount Muhabura and Gahinga. Exploring the Sabyinyo Volcano is a perfect way to conquer its great heights and peaks. The hikes to the summits of Sabyinyo can be combined with other experiences like gorilla safaris, golden monkey trekking, or birding.