Mount Sabyinyo also normally spelt as Sabinyo is a magical volcano within the Virunga Region of East Africa. It is a dormant volcano within the Virunga area and offers thrilling hiking experiences to holidaymakers. Unlike other volcanoes in the Virunga region, Sabyinyo volcano spreads to cover all 3 Central-East African states of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Mount Sabyinyo lies within the meeting point of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Hiking to its summits offers excellent views of the 3 countries and other surrounding areas. Sabyinyo is a word derived from Kinyarwanda language ‘Iryinyo’ meaning tooth. It is nicknamed as “Old Man’s teeth” because of its serrated summit looking like the worn-out teeth in a gum line. Sabyinyo Volcano is set North-East of Lake Kivu Rwanda and West of Lake Bunyonyi Southwestern Uganda.
Sabyinyo stands at elevation range of 3,645m and provides 360 panoramic view of its surrounding areas across Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo. It features a rugged terrain comprising of several craters and sharp ridges. Hiking/climbing through Sabyinyo Volcano is only possible while in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Southwestern Uganda. It can take hikers a day, approximately 8 hours to make a complete round hike compared to about 2 days of hiking through Karisimbi Volcano.
Mount Sabyinyo straddles at altitudinal range of 2400 to 2800m comprising largely of bamboo forest. This is also an area where golden monkeys live and along 2800 to 3200m, there exists a patch of hagenia hypericum. At 3200m, hikers navigate through sub-alpine zone comprising of some trees an area where the Rwenzori Turacos can be spotted from.
Hiking Mt. Sabyinyo.
Considering the rugged nature of terrain on slopes of Mt. Sabyinyo on the Congo and Rwanda side, hiking to the summits of this volcano is possible in Uganda. The trails have been well-maintained making it safer to start a trek in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to the summits of Mt. Sabyinyo. It takes hikers a day about 8 hours to reach this volcano’s summits-this includes 4 to ascend and 4 hours to descend. But this may depend on hikers’ pace and nature of the weather.
Trekking to Sabyinyo’s summit begins with briefing at Mgahinga offices and you get escorted by the park guide. Your trek includes navigating through the bamboo forest where most golden monkeys range from. At the summit of Sabyinyo, expect 360-degree experience. But this can be incredible during the dry season which occurs in 2 phases beginning from June to September or December to February.
While on Sabyinyo hiking tour, the must-have items include waterproof hiking boots, daypack, camera, gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirt, snacks, sweater, trouser, socks, hat, first aid kit or medical kit.
Other mountains near Volcanoes National Park.
Mt Karisimbi; this is the tallest of the 8 volcanoes in East Africa’s Virunga region rising up to 4,507m. It is a dormant volcano lying suitably on the border area with the DR Congo and it can take hikers about 2 days to make absolutely complete trek.
Mt Bisoke; this is another inactive volcano in the Virunga region and rises up to 3,771m and takes only a day to make a complete trek. This is where the Karisoke Research Centre also straddles just at its foothills. You can also hike through Gahinga and Muhabura Volcanoes in addition to Sabyinyo Volcano in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Getting there.
Sabyinyo Volcano lies at a center point of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. In Rwanda, Sabyinyo is in Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri which is reachable at 2-3 hours’ drive in Southwestern part of the country. In Uganda, it is in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park taking about 8-9 hours’ drive from Kampala.
