Mount Sabyinyo is part of the Virunga mountain ranges in the Volcanoes National Park. It neighbors the Muhabura mountain on the border with Uganda in Mgahinga National Park. Mountain Sabyinyo is located on the western arm of the Great Rift Valley in the Great Lakes region northeastern side of Lake Kivu. The name Sabyinyo is a Kinyarwanda word that means the old man’s tooth. This name signifies the worn-out teeth of the old man because of the physical appearance of the top summits of Mountain Sabyinyo.
Mount Sabyinyo has a wide volcanic base stretching the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The mountain stretches for over 3,654 meters above sea level through three national parks of Virunga, Volcanoes, and Mgahinga of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda respectively. Mountain Sabyinyo harbors a wide range of animals including the endangered mountain gorillas, several mammals, other primates, and birds.
This mountain offers several things for tourists to take part in. From tracking the endangered mountain mountains and bird watching to hiking or guided nature walks. There are designated trails for all these activities and each trail offers the best adventures.
What are some of the attractions and activities on Mount. Sabyinyo?
Given the mountain’s position in the Virunga conservation area and its ecological system, the Mountain Sabyinyo offers several attractions.
Primates
There are different primate species in Mount Sabyinyo including the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys to mention but a few. The endangered mountain gorillas are the gentle giants that inhabit the highland areas of the mountain, especially on the mountain slopes. They are endangered because they only inhabit the Virunga conservation area. These gorillas can be spotted on a gorilla trekking experience at the neighboring parks.
Golden monkeys are also present in Mount Sabyinyo. They are located on the mountain base in the bamboo plantations. These monkeys are fond of the bamboo shoots and hence spend most of their time. With golden fur on their cheeks, golden monkeys are rarely seen thus making their spotting a special encounter. Golden monkeys can also be tracked like their giant cousins the endangered mountain gorillas.
Bird species
Mount Sabyinyo is a birders’ paradise because it hosts over 300 bird species. These birds live in this mountain’s different ecosystems, from the foothills to the steep slopes. Among the 300 birds on this mountain, 23 of them are Albertine endemic and can be sighted as you hike through the trails.
Some of these birds in Mount Sabyinyo include Alpine chat, dusky turtle dove, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, montane double-collared sunbird, yellow-throated longclaw, handsome francolins, white-tailed blue flycatchers, Chubb’s cisticola, Blagden’s bush shrike, crowned hornbill, yellow-crowned canary, scarlet tufted malachite sunbird, grassland pipit, black kite to mention but a few.
Mammals
Mount Sabyinyo has several mammal species that can be spotted while on a hiking experience on the mountain. On top of having the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkey primates as the key highlights, Sabyinyo mountain harbors a few mammals such as forest elephants, forest hogs, forest buffaloes, and several antelopes.
Guided nature walks or hikes.
Guided nature walks are one of the major activities done by tourists on this mountain. Hiking to the top summit of mountain Sabyinyo can be tiresome though interesting. It is considered the most difficult mountain to climb of all the 8 volcanoes in the Virunga mountain ranges. This is because of the steep terrain that makes it hard even for the most experienced hikers. Though the hike to the summit of Mount Sabyinyo is physically demanding, it offers the best views of the beautiful landscapes of the surroundings. While on the hike, you can encounter different wildlife species such as the prestigious endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, forest elephants, giant bush hogs, and forest buffaloes to mention but a few. Hiking can only be done from the Ugandan side because the hiking trails in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have not been opened and developed yet.
Gorilla trekking
This is also a major activity that attracts several visitors to the mountain Sabyinyo. The steep slopes of this mountain are home to the endangered mountain gorilla species. These gorillas are the main faces of the mountain and are so precious to it. Trekking these endangered primates involves walking through the thickets and steep terrain to the habits of these giant primates. Before trekking these mountain gorillas, are gorilla trekking permit is required. A gorilla trekking permit can be acquired from the Rwanda Development Board through a trusted and registered tour company. Trekking the mountain gorilla begins with a pre-trekking briefing in the morning.
This short briefing takes the visitors through the rules and regulations of trekking, and the expected code of conduct. After the visitors are grouped in groups of 8 and given a guide ranger who leads them to the specific family to trek. Upon locating the gorilla family, visitors are given an hour to spend with these primates and watch them as they go by with their daily chores. Gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling moments for the visitors.
Golden monkey tracking
Just like trekking of their gigantic cousins the mountain gorillas, tracking golden monkeys is very similar. A Golden Monkey tracking permit is required and brought through a tour operator from the Rwanda Development Board. On the tracking day, you are taken through a short briefing to prepare you for what to expect and what is required of you through the tracking process. After being grouped, you embark on a tracking adventure of golden monkeys and transverse the steep slopes and thick vegetation on the foothills of Mount Sabyinyo. An hour is then given to the visitors after locating and tracking down these golden-cheeked primates.
Mount. Sabyinyo is a well-stocked adventure hub for any adventure enthusiasts interested in both flora and fauna species exploration. The mountain offers packages for those interested in primate tracking, nature walks, birding or just falling in love with nature and being part of it. Mountain Sabyinyo has got you covered so don’t wait around just come and explore this great work of art from Mother Nature.
