The Sabyinyo gorilla family gets its name from one of the Virunga Range volcanoes, Mount Sabyinyo. The word “Sabyinyo” translates to “old man’s teeth” in the local Kinyarwanda language. This mountain gorilla family can be trekked on the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo. Book a Rwanda trek to see how a Sabyinyo visit fits into your safari.
The Sabyinyo gorilla family was initially called the Amayubi gorilla family, but the name was later changed to Sabyinyo.
The group was formed in 1992 from members of Group Thirteen and Group Eleven, making up four females and two silverbacks.
Leadership and Trekking the Sabyinyo Family
The Sabyinyo mountain gorilla family is now led by a silverback named Guhondo, also known as one of the largest living silverbacks, weighing 220 kilograms.
The Sabyinyo gorilla family is one of the easiest groups to trek, as it lives near the edge of the park and can typically be reached within 2 to 3 hours.
Once you find the Sabyinyo mountain gorilla family, you’ll be given an hour to capture memorable photos of the mountain gorillas and observe them as they go about their daily activities.
Always follow mountain gorilla trekking rules and the ranger guide’s instructions, to avoid provoking a charge from a silverback.
Rwanda Gorilla Permits
Gorilla permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and allow you to trek a specific mountain gorilla family. In Rwanda, gorilla permits cost $1,500 per person per trek.
Children under 15 and adults with communicable illnesses, such as the flu, are not allowed to trek mountain gorillas.
It’s advisable to book permits at least 3 months in advance before flying to Rwanda, due to high demand.
What to Carry for Gorilla Trekking
When planning to trek mountain gorillas, the first thing to consider is physical fitness, since mountain gorillas live at higher elevations that require hiking to reach.
The next important items are good waterproof hiking shoes, warm long-sleeved clothing, insect repellent, garden gloves, plenty of drinking water, energy snacks, and other essentials.
Volcanoes National Park can be reached from Kigali International Airport with a 3 hour drive. Trekking mountain gorillas can take between 1 and 7 hours, depending on the movement of the gorillas and the location of the group on a given day.
