Mountain Elgon National Park

Mountain Elgon national park is a scenic national park stretching around Mountain Elgon, Mountain Elgon is an extinct volcano said to have first erupted about 20 million years ago and the eruption left behind the largest intact caldera in world of 40 square kilometers. Mountain Elgon and Mountain Elgon national park are located on the border of Uganda and Kenya, Mountain Elgon is the largest solitary volcanic mountain in East Africa and it was once the highest mountain in Africa but its height was reduced to 4321 meters due to erosion activity. Mountain Elgon sits on the base of 3840 square kilometers which is the largest mountain base in the world, the mountain consists of 4 caldera standing at different altitude levels and these include Wagagai at 4321 meters, Sudek at 4303meters, Koitobos at 4222 meters and Mubiyi at 4210 meters.

Mountain Elgon National Park is a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve stretches over an area of 1145 square kilometers, the park is a home to a reasonable population of wildlife species found on the lower slopes of the mountain but they are rarely seen. These animals include Defassa waterbuck, Elephants, Oribi, Bushbucks, Buffaloes and Spotted Hyena, also black-and-white monkeys, Colobus monkeys and many more. There is a rich birdlife in Mountain Elgon National park recorded to be more than 296 species residing in the park  with 40 species only limited to Uganda, these birds include black collared Apalis, Jacksons Francolin, Lammergeyer, Black-shouldered Kite, Tacazze sunbird and many more.

Safaris activities to do Mountain Elgon National Park

Mountain Hiking

Mountain hiking is the highlight safari activity offered in Mountain Elgon national park involving climbing mountain Elgon, climbing mountain Elgon is less strenuous when compared to other East Africa mountain but the scenic sights you get are to die for. Climbing mountain Elgon is done on various routes leading to peaks of the mountain, these include

• Sasa trail – the shortest but steepest trail taking on 4 days to reach the peak
• Sipi trail taking 4-6 days
• Piswa trail taking 7 days

Climbing mountain Elgon offers you sights of bamboo forests, many bird species, caves such as Tutum, Jackson’s pool and many more.

Mt Elgon is generally less strenuous climb like other East African mountains but offers same scenic views, on this experience you need local porters who will assist you in cooking, preparing the camp and collecting water and they are available at the park’s headquarters.

Abseiling

Abseiling is a very fun and entertaining activity done one down of the cliffs of Sipi falls, this activity involves dropping down 100 meters overlooking the ridge next to the water pool and reaching down you take a dip into the pool the back to the cliff.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing in mountain is a physically challenging safari experience done outside mountain Elgon national park, this experience is done on Sipi rocks and it participate in this activity are required to have rock-scaling techniques. Rock climbing is offered depending on your skills and ability, the easiest climb is 15 meters and the toughest is 35 meters.

Bird watching

Bird watching in mountain Elgon national park is an amazing experience for bidders offering an opportunity for spotting over 296 bird species residing in the park, bird watching is commonly done on atrial in Kapkwai forest exploration centre running along Chebonet River on which you will have an opportunity to spot many birds such as white-chinned Prinia, Luhders and Doherty’s Bush-shrikes, Chubb’s Cisticola, African Goshawk, African Blue Flycatcher, Baglafetcht weaver and many more.

Sport fishing

Sport fishing in mountain Elgon national park is done at the highest point of Sipi falls, this experience is a group activity offering perfect opportunity for bonding. On this experience you are advised to carry your own fishing equipment’s which are rented at Sipi River lodge.

Nature and Hiking walks

Nature and hiking walks in mountain Elgon national park is a rewarding experience to nature lovers, this activity is a walk of 2 hours done in guidance of an armed ranger. The hike is done on a trail running through Budadiri to Mudange cliffs which are generally referee to as the walls of death and they are situated in the tropical forests at the boundary of the park. Hiking in mountain Elgon national park offers sights of many forest animals such as black and white colobus monkey, baboons and many more. Nature walks in mountain Elgon national park leads to 3 beautiful waterfalls known as Sipi falls, Sipi falls are situated outside the park offering a fulfilling experience of nature and hiking walks. Sipi falls consists of 3 falls, one flowing at over 100 meters, Simba at 69 meters and Ngasire at 87 meters. In Mount Elgon national park there are other falls found in Wanale, chebonet, bulago and sisyi.

Mountain Biking

Mountain Elgon is a fascinating destination for mountain biking safaris, this experience is done on bikes rented out in the park or individually owned bikes. On the experience you bike through kapichorwa and numerous biking routes beginning from Sipi trading centre leading to Chema hill in Kapichorwa. While biking will be testing your physical ability and enjoy beautiful scenic views of Karamoja plains and water falls along the way.

Cave tours

Mountain Elgon features a number of caves which were formed as a result of volcanic activity which resulted into moving lava, some of the caves on the mountain visited on this experience include kapkaw and khauka caves situated on Wanale ridge. While visiting these caves you will enjoy scenic views and green vegetation cover around the caves.

Agro-tourism, Cultural encounters and Community visit

Mountain Elgon region is a best Uganda coffee farming region with many coffee farms where agro-tourism, cultural encounter and community visit is done, the fertile soils of mountain Elgon give out the finest coffee. On this activity you will have a walk in the coffee shambas on the slopes of mount volcano and in your walk you will experience demonstration of coffee activities such as coffee picking, grinding, storage and washing. On this safari you also get an opportunity to interact with the farmers on the coffee farms

Getting to Mount Elgon National Park

Mountain Elgon national park is situated in the eastern region of Uganda and lies in a distance of approximately from Kampala 235 kilometers east of Kampala the capital city of Uganda, the park is accessed by using road and air means of transports.

By road – it is a drive of about 11 hours to get to Mountain Elgon national park from Kampala using Kampala – Mbale via Jinja route.

 By air transport domestic flights are offered from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kisumu airstrip then head to the park

Accommodation in Mountain Elgon national park

Accommodation in Mountain Elgon national park is got from lodges, camps and hotels situated either inside or outside the park, these include Mt Elgon Lodges and Camps, Sipi River Lodge, Casa Sipi River Lodge, Mbale resort hotel, mouth Elgon hotel, kayegi hotel, wash and wills country home, Masha hotel and many more.