What To Know Before Climbing Mount Sabyinyo : There is some information one needs to know before they go for a mountain climbing at sabyinyo, Mount sabyinyo is part of the Virunga Mountains located at the border intersection of Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. The nearest town to this Mountain is Musanze Town in Rwanda which serves as a base for many hikers to Mountain Sabyinyo.
Hiking permits are required to be able to Hike this majestic Mountain whereby permits can be issued by the respective National Park authorities like Rwanda development Board for those hiking from Rwanda side and also Uganda wildlife Authority for those Hiking from Uganda side at its offices in Kisoro or Even through there Tour operators and kindly note that these permits are booked or secured in advance, it can be 2 to 3 days before or even for the better longer before your days of Hiking, Permits from both countries usually include a guide which is mandatory for your safety and to ensure compliance with regulations ,from Uganda Side Uganda wildlife Authority assigns a guide to the hikers or Hiker one day for the hiking day.
Hiking Mount Sabyinyo is a challenging thing that requires a bit of a reasonable level of fitness, Hiking and Climbing involves steep ascents, descents and very muddy terrain, in that case being in good physical condition will enhance your experience. It’s advisable to prepare with cardio exercises and short Hikes prior to attempt hiking Mount Sabyinyo.
The Weather on Mount Sabyinyo can be kind of unpredictable, so it’s essential to park accordingly, layers of clothing’s are recommended to accommodate changes that might happen in temperature, there are few things you may want to Park for Hiking;
Hiking boots: These should be sturdy with above average traction and grip, these are necessary due to the likelihood of rain and muddy trails.
A camera and binoculars: for photographers, photo loves who would want to capture memories and good sights beautiful views of Mount sabyinyo a good camera is important to capture all the moments at the summit. A binocular is good for spotting the distant volcanoes and beautiful views. Porters are available for hire for those who wants to save themselves from carrying a lot.
First Aid Kit and Toiletries: If possible, carry a portable first aid kit in case of miner scratches or pains in the knee joints. Try to visit the toilet before embarking on the hike. Move with toilet paper in case of any emergencies.
Clothing: dressing up right is one of the major and top notches that will allow you to hike flexible, peaceful and enjoy your hiking journey Move with a light rain coat, warm stockings and hand gloves for the cold summit. Ensure that the shirt and trousers are Long-sleeved shirt to keep off crawling insects and make sure you’re in flexible fits that don’t limit you from hiking or gives you a hard time.
Carry packed lunch or snack: Note that there are no restaurants at the mountain do ensure that you eat something before you start your journey and Pack a few snacks for late This is important because the hike takes an entire day. You will get very hungry while hiking the mountain. You should also carry some drinking water to contain the thirst.
Hiking Mount Sabinyo involves visiting three peaks. It is at peak three that you stand in three countries at a go. In-between the beaks are extensive ladders which where improvised to allow hikers navigate through difficult areas of the mountain.
Climbing to the top takes four hours while descending down is also four hours. As you climb to the top of the mountain, there are great chances of spotting several birds including the rare Rwenzori turaco.
To reach the summit of mount Sabinyo, you would need to pass through several wooden ladders that have been nailed into the rocks. Climbing the ladders in steep sections of the mountain can be scary for first time hikers with a fear of heights but you can as just well divert your mind from the height by focusing on the summit and avoiding looking down frequently.
It rains a lot during certain times of the year and you need to have protection for your electrical gadgets like phones.
The Virunga Mountains which is where Mount Sabyinyo lies are home to endangered mountain gorillas, among other wildlife. While gorilla trekking is a separate activity, hikers should be respectful of the natural environment and follow guidelines to minimize their impact on the ecosystem, on your hiking journey you make be lucky to come across some golden Monkeys which inhabit on these mountains.
The best time to hike mount Sabinyo is during the dry season. The rainy season can turn the trail into a mud-filled and slippery mess. For that reason, it’s highly recommended to go for hiking at Mount sabyinyo in a dry season, however sometimes it might rain during dry season but still it’s more convenient compared to rainy seasons where its muddy and slippery making it hard to Hike for Hikers.
