Striding across a tri-boundary point, across Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo, Mount Sabyinyo, a rather extinct volcano, offers magnificent hiking opportunities not only in East Africa but also throughout the entire continent of Africa. This 3-day Mount Sabyinyo safari is a great way to hike this mountain. The hiking permit fee is $80 per person.
Mount Sabyinyo stands tall, towering to an elevation of 3,645 meters (11,959 ft.) above sea level, making it the second tallest among the three neighboring volcanoes near Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. It offers extremely adventurous experiences and is a perfect choice for travelers seeking typical mountaineering adventures.
Most importantly, this mountain neighbors three magnificent national parks that are also part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in D.R. Congo.
Mount Sabyinyo is part of the eight volcanoes that form the greater Virunga Massif, a conservation area known to be a hub of the endangered mountain gorillas. This Virunga Massif spans across Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo. The word “Sabyinyo” literally means “the old man’s teeth,” representing its irregular shape and rugged slopes that clearly depict the shape of an old man’s teeth.
This volcano has up to three peaks—each representing a different level of difficulty. However, because of its rugged nature, wooden ladders have been constructed along the hiking trail to ease the hike.
Hiking Mount Sabyinyo
Mount Sabyinyo is a hiker’s paradise and the right spot for anyone in love with pure adventure. Hiking Mount Sabyinyo can take about 10-12 hours for both ascent and descent, though this depends squarely on the climber’s speed and energy. A typical hiking day begins at 7:30 am at the base of the mountain after a simple briefing by the hiking guides. Ready with climbing gear, plenty of drinking water, and food/snacks, you’re prepared to take on this amazing adventure.
The first section of the climb is a moderately steep hike through a swampy area and later passes amidst a rainforest up to the first peak. At this lower peak, take a break for memorable photos, a sip of water, and a bite of your snacks before resuming the ascent.
The next part of the climb is interesting as you ascend along the knife-edged ridge of Sabyinyo’s teeth. The hike here is steep, but thanks to the wooden ladders offering support, the views from this point are exhilarating and well worth the effort of such a steep climb.
From here, aim for the next peak, which also offers unparalleled views. After a break, continue to the highest peak. From 3,645m above sea level, you’ll realize that Sabyinyo is not as massive as you thought! At this point, you’ll be standing amidst three distinct countries—an unforgettable feeling of a lifetime!
The pure wilderness, picturesque green patches of the Virunga ranges, surrounded by pockets of human settlements and their terraced gardens stretching to the horizon, make the Virunga Conservation Area undoubtedly an island refuge for endangered flora and fauna species.
From Sabyinyo’s peak, the views of the shimmering Lake Kivu in Rwanda and the island-dotted Lake Bunyonyi, Rwenzori jagged mountains, and all the other seven Virunga volcanoes, plus many other countless features, are crystal clear. Hiking Mount Sabyinyo costs only $80 per person, and the permit can even be purchased on arrival. This cost includes a mountain guide but doesn’t include climbing gear, food, and porters (hired upon arrival at $10-15 per person).
Getting to Mount Sabyinyo (By Road & Air)
Mount Sabyinyo can be easily accessed from the Ugandan side, whether you cross from Kigali or travel from Kampala, via Mgahinga National Park. From Kampala, it is an 8-hour drive via the Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara – Kisoro route. The mountain is 14 km from Kisoro town. The route from Kigali, Rwanda, is the shortest, taking only 2 hours via the Cyanika border.
A charter/scheduled flight can be arranged from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip in Kampala to Kisoro Airstrip, followed by a 30-minute drive to the base of the mountain.
