This is another quick safari that takes travelers to Mgahinga national park allowing them to go gorilla trekking to the interesting Nyakagezi family and summit Mount Sabinyo over the course of four days with 3 nights.
The mountain Sabinyo is 3,645 meters above sea level and bears the name “Sabinyo” because it resembles a man’s teeth, which was the inspiration for the name. The best way to hike Mount Sabinyo, the smallest mountain in the Mgahinga mountain ranges, is from the Ugandan side of the park, which offers the best attractions and a spectacular view of the majority of the Virunga mountain ranges, as opposed to hiking from the sides of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Virunga mountain ranges, which are shared by three nations including Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda, contain 8 mountains, including Mount Sabinyo. We begin and end our four-day safari in Kampala, Uganda, where we will go gorilla trekking and hike Mount Sabinyo. Nevertheless, depending on the traveler’s interests, the trip could also begin and end in Kigali, Rwanda, or it could even begin in Uganda and end in Rwanda.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Mgahinga national park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa trail
Day 3: Hike Mount Sabinyo
Day 1: Transfer to Kisoro
The expert driver guide from our firm will pick you up and transport you from Kampala to Kisoro, which is around 540 kilometers away from the capital city of Uganda. Stop for lunch at the equator crossings in Kayabwe or Mbarara at Igongo cultural center, there is much to see there, including the craft stores displaying a variety of gifts. When entering Kisoro town, you will travel past a number of plantations and mountains that are fascinating and beautiful to take your eyes off of on your route to the park.
Dinner and lodging stay at Kisoro Travelers’ Rest Hotel (Midrange), Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Gorilla trekking.
After early morning breakfast, the guide leads you through the gorilla world, clearing up aspects of their ecosystem and behavior. Gorilla trekking is the most exciting and memorable experience, which might take you through a thick tropical rainforest jungle all day. The gorilla family (Nyakagezi group) consists of nine members; 3 adult females, 2 silverbacks, 2 juveniles, and 2 infants. Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga can take from two to eight hours. We advise that you wear good trekking attires suitable for muddy and steep places because it involves hiking through rugged and steep slopes of the mountain searching for gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in all gorilla parks starts with a briefing about the guidelines to follow when tracking, it usually takes one hour when you encounter the gorillas in their nests, take enough time to capture photos and videos for your memory. After you will go back to the lodge for lunch if you did not pack it and rest. In the evening you can opt to go for a cultural walk to the pygmies that live near the park to experience their enormous culture and history.
Dinner and overnight at Kisoro Travelers’ Rest Hotel (Midrange), Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury).
Day 3: Hiking Mt Sabinyo in Mgahinga national park
Hiking Mount Sabinyo can only be possible in Uganda from Mgahinga national park. The summit lies at 3,645m, interconnecting the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Mt. Sabinyo slopes are steep and rich in vegetation and provide a habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorillas.
You will see the rugged nature of the terrain along the Sabinyo slopes that has many craters with sharp ridges. The Mount Sabinyo hike is a one-day hike involving four hours to the summit and four hours back. This depends on the pace and weather conditions. Walking sticks are provided for free, while porters are available for hire. You will go through vegetation ranges from the bamboo zone between 2400 – 2800m. After reaching the park, take a break and eat your packed lunch. Start descending the mountain. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight at Tourist Hotel (Budget), Travelers’ Rest Hotel (Midrange), and Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury).
DAY 4: Travel to Kampala
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and prepare to travel back to Kampala. You shall have en route lunch at either the Igongo cultural center or at the Uganda equator in Kayabwe, after which you shall continue with the journey back to Kampala and drop off at the hotel or at Entebbe Airport to catch your flight.
End of the tour
