Hiking Mount Sabinyo Volcano in Uganda – Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga gorilla National Park
Hiking mount sabinyo volcano in Uganda – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has three of the seven volcanoes that are part of the Virunga Mountains and Mount Sabinyo is one of them. Mount Sabinyo has got three peaks on its top. Sabyinyo, a local Kinyarwanda word that comes from the word ‘Iryinyo’, meaning tooth and at times referred to as Sabinio and this mountain is an extinct volcano in Eastern Africa. The mountain carries the local nickname “Old Man’s Teeth” because its serrated summit resembles worn teeth in a gum line (in contrast to the perfect conical summits of the adjacent mountains in this range).
Mountain Sabinyo is found in three East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mountain is located northeast of Lake Kivu in Rwanda and west of Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda. Its summit lies at 3,645 metres (11,959 feet), marks the intersection of the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. It also lies within the adjoining National Parks of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda established by these countries to protect the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The slopes of Mountain Sabyinyo are a habitat for the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
Hiking Mount Sabinyo Volcano in Uganda
You will enter a large amphitheatre for a briefing at the National Park offices and the hike to the top of Mountain Sabinyo will start. You will want to have sturdy hiking boots and tuck your trousers into your socks to avoid safari ants getting directly to your body. A rain jacket is advisable if travelling during the rainy seasons and some drinking water is necessary. A packed lunch will be provided on your hike and remember to bring some energy giving snacks. The guides will also get an idea of what interests you, or your group (birds, wildlife, insects and plant life abound) so they can tailor the hike.
An ascent leads first to Peak one before climbing towards Peak two along a narrow ridge that overlooks breath-taking drops into deep gorges on each side. Peak three is reached by a steep and muddy scramble. The borders of three countries converge on this summit and you will find yourself simultaneously in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The 14kilometre round trip takes about 8 hours.
What to Bring for your Mountain Hiking
- These items should be on your hiking checklist:
- Hiking backpack
- Weather-appropriate clothing (thick moisture-wicking and layers)
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Plenty of energy giving food
- Plenty of water
- Navigation tools such as a map and compass
- First-aid kit
- Knife or multi-tool
The rest of the above essentials are appropriate for your hike
While you are packing, use this handy day hiking checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important. Here are some notes on how to best use this list:
Items that are part of the Ten Essentials are marked by an asterisk. The exact items you take can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help.
This checklist is deliberately comprehensive and intended for day hikes in the backcountry where being self-sufficient is important to your well-being. It includes many more items than you’re likely to need for short treks in or near developed areas, like city parks, though you can adapt it to your needs for these trips.
