Mount Sabinyo is situated in the Mgahinga National Park in the southwestern corner of Uganda, the volcano is shared between the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the democratic republic of Congo. The national park is an extension of the great Virunga volcano region in Uganda, covering an area space of approximately 33.7 square kilometers, the park sits high in the clouds, between 2,227m and 4127m above sea level, the park is not only known for the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys but also volcanic mountains some of which are shared with Rwanda, the striking features include mountain Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhabura. The park was first gazette as a game reserve in 1930, by 1991 it was declared a national park and is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Mount Sabinyo boats a rugged summit that at a distance looks like an old man’s teeth, the locals have always referred to it this way for identification, it is shaped in ravines and gorges, and the mountain raises 3,645m above sea level, hiking Mountain Sabinyo is one of the best things you can do while in Uganda, the mountain can only be a hiked on the pearl of Africa’s side as the other routes have not been discovered yet, the mountain is the second highest of the 3 peaks in the Mgahinga national park forming part of the 8 series of the great Virunga mountain region.
Hiking Mount Sabinyo is a great experience for hikers, it is adventurous and engaging to do, hikes begin at 7:00 a.m.East African time from the park headquarters, and rangers will brief you about the mountain, and make sure you have all the necessities required to participate in the hike, these include water roof hiking boots, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, rain gear, drinking water and any other items of personal nature, along the hike you will experience the different vegetation cover from the farmlands, hagenia forest, bamboo forest, expect to see species like endangered golden monkeys, forest duikers, forest hogs and many species of birds including the great blue turaco,sunbirds, martial eagles, Rwenzori turaco among others. The top summit of the mountain is accessed using wooden ladder routes created by the authorities.
Mount Sabinyo hike can take 7-10 hours depending on the speed of the last person, upon reaching the summit of the mountain you will be amazed by how much beauty you will see, the views of the magnificent surroundings is phenomenal, and there are porters at the beginning point who are ready to assist with Luggage and equipment in case you need one, to hike the mountain requires you to payparks fees to the Uganda wildlife authority of $80.
Besides hiking Mount Sabinyo, there are other activities to participate in while in the national park for example, the Mount Muhabura hike, Golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forest of the conservation area, mountain gorilla tracking, birding in the national park and enjoying the Batwa cultural experience.