Mountain Sabinyo is the oldest mountain which rises 3,669 meters above sea level. It stretches its boundaries in three countries such as Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda. Mt Sabinyo summit marks the intersection between the three countries. Sabinyo means old man’s teeth. The slopes of Mt Sabyinyo are a habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla, as well as mountain elephants and buffalo. On the trail, you will pass through bamboo forests home to mountain gorillas, Hagenia Hypericum forest and trees covered in Old Man’s Beard moss, before reaching the sub-Alpine zone.
Mt Sabinyo can only be hiked from the Ugandan side and the other sides of Rwanda because DR Congo is quite steep with sharp ridges. The Rwandan side is climbed from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi (2100m), 13km northwest of Ruhengeri, or as it is now officially called: Musanze. While hiking, tourists will be blessed with spectacular views and if lucky can see a gorilla in the bamboo forests. As you get closer to the first peak, you will encounter the stairs and ladders that give the trail the nickname “Stairways in the Mist”. The first peak (3,423 m) offers a small hut to shelter from rain or wind. Take a snack here before you follow the trail down and along a ridgeline that offers more stairs and ladders to help you stay stable.
If you’re lucky with the weather, you will be treated to spectacular views of the drops. Summit the second peak 3,537 m and power on to the ultimate goal: The tri-border third peak 3,669 m that is shared by Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Tourists are also likely to encounter the golden monkeys whose tracking permit costs $50 and the habituation costs $100. Mt Sabinyo can be summited in a day as its takes 4 hours to hike to its top and 4 hours to descend depending on the group’s fitness level. Tourists can fly into Rwanda and then be driven across the border to Uganda where they can start the hike from. You are advised to park the necessary gear like boots, garden gloves, warm clothing, insect repellents, hat and more. Porters are available to hire at about $15.
The best time to hike Sabinyo is in the months of June to September and December to February when the season is dry and the climb is less slippery. Hiking Mt Sabinyo costs $80 per person.
