Want to hike Mount Sabyinyo in Uganda? Each climbing permit costs $85. One fact about this mountain is that the peak is shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.
Traveling to the southwestern part of Uganda is one of the longest journeys by road, but it is an adventurous experience because of the beautiful scenery that is eye-catching and special.
The area (southwestern Uganda) is where the Virunga Mountains are located, bordering Uganda and Rwanda. The place is rich with tourist attractions and activities like national parks, volcanic mountains, culture, and beautiful challenging terrain, which offer great experiences for any traveler.
Sabyinyo is the oldest extinct volcano in the Virunga Mountain range. It is located northeast of Lake Kivu in Rwanda and west of Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda.
Lake Kivu is the deepest in Africa, and it is believed that Lake Bunyonyi comes second. Three national parks adjoin Mount Sabyinyo, making it unique. These are Virunga National Park in the DRC, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Mount Sabyinyo has five peaks, which is why it is called “Old Man’s Teeth.” Hiking up to any of them is a very commendable achievement. Sabyinyo is a Kinyarwanda word that means tooth.
The highest peak is the meeting point of the borders of three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. The peaks of this mountain have religious significance to the local tribes around.
The slopes also act as habitats for mountain gorillas, elephants, and buffaloes, along with many other primate species.
Mount Sabyinyo is mostly known for hiking. However, gorilla trekking, cultural tours, photography, and birding are other activities you can enjoy in this area.
Hiking Mount Sabyinyo is one of the most exciting experiences, especially because of its challenging terrain.
The hike includes wooden stairs and ladders, spectacular ridges, and peaks. It is considered a great achievement for anyone who reaches the summit, standing at the meeting point of Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC.
Preparation for Hiking Mount Sabyinyo
Hiking Mount Sabyinyo needs good preparation and readiness. You must be ready for sudden weather changes, even in the dry seasons, because the Virunga Mountains are known for rain and cold.
It is advisable to carry warm clothes, jackets, gloves, and pants to keep your body warm.
Best Time to Hike Mount Sabyinyo
The best season for hiking is during the dry season, from December to February and June to July, when rains are minimal, and the terrain is less muddy and exhausting.
However, hiking during the wet season can also offer a different experience for adventure seekers.
The hike can take between 6 to 9 hours, and it is recommended to start at dawn, around 8:00 am.
Guides, Rangers, and Porters
There are always UWA guides and rangers assigned to every hike. Their service is included when you pay for the permit. Hikers are also free to hire porters before starting the hike to help carry luggage and other items.
UWA guides and armed rangers are necessary to protect hikers from any dangerous animals, like elephants and buffaloes.
The Hiking Experience
The first hour of the hike takes you through bamboo forests, where you might see gorillas if you are lucky. After the forest, the terrain becomes steeper, surrounded by trees and the sounds of blowing winds.
Closer to the first peak, you will find stairs and ladders that you must climb. This part of the trail is called “Stairways in the Mist” and may not be for the faint-hearted.
The first peak offers a resting point and shelter from rain and wind. It is a good place to have a snack before continuing along the ridge-line, where there are more stairs and ladders. Here, hikers enjoy beautiful views of the drops.
The goal of the hike is to reach the summit, which is the meeting point of Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. Once there, enjoy the moment and take summit pictures that will stay in your memory forever before heading back down to complete the hike.
