Hike to the Summit Where Three Countries Meet
This 1-day tour takes you from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park to hike Mount Sabyinyo, one of the Virunga volcanoes on Rwanda’s northern border. Your driver/guide picks you up from your hotel at 4:30 AM for the drive of about two and a half hours. After a briefing at park headquarters, you’ll set off through rainforest and bamboo onto the volcano’s rugged upper slopes.
From the top, the views stretch across the point where Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo meet. This is a demanding hike for fit walkers. Our 1-day gorilla trek from Kigali keeps a similar early schedule, but this trip is about the mountain rather than the primates.
Why You’ll Love This Safari
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Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
Price on request. Tell us your dates and group size, and we’ll send you a quote.
Meeting point
Your hotel in Kigali (4:30 AM pickup)
Availability
Year-round, 7 days a week
Duration
1 day
Group size
Min. 1 person
Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- Guided Mount Sabyinyo summit hike
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- A professional driver/guide
- Private vehicle (Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser or safari van, depending on group size) with hotel pickup and drop-off in Kigali
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water
Not included
- International flights (from/to home)
- Accommodation in Kigali before and after the tour
- Tips
- Porter fees
- Rescue fees
- Climbing gear
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
What to bring
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm layers (it gets cold near the summit)
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Long pants
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support
- Gaiters (for mud and nettles)
- Gloves (for steep, rocky sections)
- Hat
- Light backpack
- Refillable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
Participation requirements
Min. age of 15 years old required to participate in this tour. This is a demanding hike on steep volcanic ground, so a good level of fitness is required.
About your guide
Your safari will be led by an experienced local guide who will share facts about the wildlife, landscapes, and culture. Your guide is dedicated to ensuring your safari is safe, informative, and tailored to your interests.
What You’ll See & Do
Day 1: Kigali to Mount Sabyinyo and Back
Your driver/guide will collect you from your Kigali hotel at 4:30 AM for the drive north to Volcanoes National Park, which takes about two and a half hours. At park headquarters, you’ll join a briefing on the route and what to expect before heading to the start of the trail.
The hike begins in rainforest, then climbs through bamboo forest onto the rough, rocky ground of the volcano’s upper slopes. It is steep and tiring in places, so keep a steady pace and take breaks when you need them. From the summit, you’ll look out over the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the other Virunga volcanoes all around.
After the descent, you’ll drive back to Kigali, reaching your hotel in the early evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a demanding hike. The trail climbs steadily through forest and bamboo before reaching steep, rocky volcanic ground near the top, and it can be muddy after rain. You’ll need a good level of fitness and sturdy boots, and it helps to have done some long hill walks before your trip. Porters are available to carry your bag, but porter fees are not included.
It suits fit hikers who want a mountain day in Rwanda, including travelers who have already trekked gorillas and want to see Volcanoes National Park from higher up. It is a long day, with a 4:30 AM pickup, about five hours of driving in total and a full hike in between. If you’d prefer a primate trek, our 1-day gorilla trek from Kigali follows a similar schedule.
We quote the price for your dates and group size. That covers park fees for non-residents, the guided hike, your driver/guide and vehicle for the round trip from your Kigali hotel, breakfast, lunch and drinking water. Porter fees, rescue fees, climbing gear, tips, accommodation in Kigali and personal costs such as travel insurance are not included.
Wear sturdy hiking boots, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and bring gaiters, gloves and a waterproof jacket. It gets cold near the summit, so pack a warm layer, along with a hat, sunscreen, snacks and a water bottle. A light backpack keeps your hands free for the steep sections, where you may want to steady yourself on the rocks.
Send us your dates as early as you can, particularly for July and August, the busiest months in Volcanoes National Park. A 50% deposit confirms your booking. Because this is a private tour, you can also stay near the park and combine the hike with a gorilla or golden monkey trek on the following days, which saves you the early drive from Kigali.
Our gorilla trekking permit guide explains how permits work and how far ahead to book them.
