Mount Elgon national park is located in the Eastern Uganda with Mbale as the nearest town, the park covers an area of 1,110 square kilometers straddling around the slopes of Mount Elgon on the Uganda side. Mountain Elgon is an extict volcano said to have been formed about 24 million years ago due to eruption, this volcano is said to be one of the oldest features in Uganda
Mountain Elgon was once Africa’s highest mountain but now it is the 8th highest mountain in Africa and the 4th in East Africa, the height of this volcano was reduced to 4321 meters by erosion. Mountain Elgon has the world’s largest mountain caldera and the largest base in the world at 3840 square kilometers. Mount Elgon’s highest peaks include;
- Wagagai at 4321m
- Sudek at 4303m
- Koitobos at 4222m
- Mubiyi at 4210m
Mountain Elgon lies between the border of Uganda and Kenya, the volcano acts as a source of water as it hosts rivers such as the Nzoi River flowing to Lake Victoria in Uganda and the Turkwel River also known as Suam River in Uganda, this river drops its water to Lake Turkana found in Kenya, Susa River and Sipi Rivers which forms the Sipi Falls. Mountain Elgon national park was gazetted as a national park in 1992 and later declared a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve.
Wildlife in Mount Elgon national park
Wildlife
Mount Elgon national park hosts various species of animals found on the slowers, however these animals are barely seen because of the thick forest cover. Animals in this park include Defassa waterbuck, Elephants, Oribi, Bushbucks, Buffaloes and Spotted Hyena and primates such as black-and-white monkeys, Colobus monkeys and red tailed monkey.
Birdlife
Mount Elgon national park is home to 296 recorded bird species with 40 species limited to Uganda, these birds include black collared Apalis, Jacksons Francolin, Lammergeyer, Black-shouldered Kite, and Tacazze sunbird among others.
SAFARI ACTIVITIES TO DO IN MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING
Mountain Elgon national park is one of the most amazing destinations in Uganda for mountain climbing safaris done on mount Elgon, this volcano the second highest mountain in Uganda offers one of the most accessible and easy mountain climbing safaris in East Africa which does not require mountain climbing experience. Mount Elgon stands at the altitude of 4321 meters with Wagagai peak as the highest peak, climbing to the top takes about 4 days of climbing and is done using 2 major trails such as Sasa Trail and the Piswa Trail.
Sasa Trail
Sasa Trail is the shortest and tough route used to climb mountain Elgon accessed from Budadiri, this trail takes you through the community land via farm fields and coffee plantations offering an opportunity to explore and encounter the Bamasaba settlements and their culture. Sasa Trail also takes you through areas of bamboo forests and the Jackson’s pool as you head to Wagagai peak.
Piswa Trail
Piswa Trail is the longest of 56 kilometers used to Wagagai peak, this trail starts at Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre at the altitude of 2,050 meters above the sea level. This trail passes via the north western side of Mountain Elgon, while climbing on this trail climbers are able to see the Tutum Cave to enter the Caldera before reaching the Wagagai peak.
A four days’ mountain Elgon Hike can start from Budadiri Bumasola to Sasa River Camp which is a walk of about 1,110 meters walk, from Sasa River Camp you climb to Mude Cave Camp and the last climb will lead you to the Wagagai peak. From Wagagai peak you will then trek back to Mude cave then descend from the cave to Budadiri at 1,250 meters.
BIRD WATCHING
Mount Elgon national park is a bird watcher’s paradise rich with about 300 species of birds including endangered species and 40 species which are only restricted to the park, bird watching in the park is generally done in the extensive forests of Kapkawi composed of thick shrubs and extending up to Cheptui falls. Birds to lookout for during bird watching in Mount Elgon national park include white-chinned Prinia, Luhders and Doherty’s Bush-shrikes, Chubb’s Cisticola, African Goshawk, African Blue Flycatcher, Baglafetcht weaver, black kite, cinnamon Bee eater, Tucazze sunbird, olive and Bronze-naped pigeons among others.
HIKING AND NATURE WALKS
Mountain Elgon offers exciting hiking and nature walks experience befitting to all hikers, these experiences are offered as long and short hour hikes done on various trails and leading to various features found on the mountain. Hiking and nature walks in Mount Elgon national park is offered as follows
The Mountain Bamboo Hike
The Mountain Bamboo Hike is 7 kilometers hike on the Bamboo trail, this hike takes you through tropical and bamboo forests leading you to the Kapkwai caves. Hiking on this trail offers an opportunity of spotting various primate species such as black and white colobus monkeys, bird such as Baglafetcht weaver, black kite, cinnamon Bee eater, Tucazze sunbird, olive and Bronze-naped pigeons and various rare tree species such as the Elgon teak and Elgon Olive.
Tourists can also visit the Chebonet falls on a hike of 5 kilometers, Kapkwai caves on a hike of 3 kilometers via the ridge view trail and the Tutum Cave on a hike of 11 kilometers. Tourists can also camp on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
Hiking to the Khauka Cave
Hiking to the Khauka Cave is a 3-4 hours’ experience offering a visit to the Khauka cave found in Wanale, on this experience you can also head to Nabuyoga loop where you will have clear views of the Jackson’s summit and Wagagai peak.
Short hikes are also done in Mount Elgon national park offering a visit to Mudagi cliffs, Sasa River cam and Drigana lower falls.
During hiking and nature walks in Mount Elgon national park you are able to see various species of birds and primates along the way.
CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS
Cultural encounters in Mount Elgon national park offer a visit to various local communities living along the borders of the park and on the slopes of Mount Elgon, this experience takes you on an encounter with the Sipi Widow’s Group passing through the coffee plantations. On your visit you will witness how coffee is planted, pricked, grinded and finally washed into a ready product for sell.
In this interesting activity also offers a visit to the Bagisu farmers and the Sabiny locals, while on an encounter with the Bagisu farmers you will learn how the Arabic coffee is grown on the slope of Mountain Elgon. In the Sabiny you will be exposed to their daily lifestyle and participate in several traditional activities such as learning about Africa Cuisines, how to prepare them and test these delicious meals, participate in weaving, making of various hand craft pieces and you can buy some of them at affordable prices.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain biking in Mount Elgon national park is an exciting activity done on a trail running from Sipi trading centre to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa Town, this experience takes about 1.5 hours offering stunning views of various waterfalls and Karamoja plains which you will encountered during the biking session. Visitors interested in Mountain biking can go with their own mountain bikes or hire them from Sipi River Lodge.
HOW TO GET TO MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
Mountain Elgon national park is situated in the Eastern Uganda and can be accessed from Kampala the capital of Uganda, from Kampala it is a journey of 230 kilometers and a drive of about 5 hours using a safari vehicle via the Kampala – Jinja – Mbale them Mountain Elgon route. This route offer an opportunity to visit Mabira Forest, Ssezibwa falls for zip lining, Lake Victoria for water rafting and the source of the Nile for a boat cruise.
WHERE TO STAY IN MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
There is a variety of accommodation facilities in Mount Elgon national park, these facilities offer accommodation guest rooms and other necessarily facilities and serves. Accommodation facilities in Mount Elgon national park include Mbale Resort Hotel, Mountain Elgon View Hotel, Sipi Falls Lodge, Rafiki Lodge Sipi, Sipi travelers lodge and camping option is available.
