Mount Elgon National Park
HOME TO THE LARGEST UNBROKEN CALDERA
Mount Elgon National Park Overview
Located on the far border of Uganda and Kenya, Mount Elgon National Park takes its name from the extinct Mt. Elgon. The park is shared between Uganda and Kenya. On the Ugandan side, Mount Elgon National Park is 140km northeast of Lake Victoria and occupies a surface area of about 1110sq.km. On the Kenyan part, it has an area coverage of 169 sq.km. Overall, the Mount Elgon protected area has a surface area coverage of 1279 sq.km.
Officially recognized as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve, Mount Elgon National Park is a rich destination worth visiting on a Uganda tour. As a park, Elgon National Park was created in 1968 (Uganda side) and in 1992 – for Kenya. Its volcano – Mount Elgon is extinct and believed to have had its first eruption about 24 years back. Mt. Elgon is home to the largest unbroken caldera which measures 40sq.km and has its peak (Wagagai) at an elevation range of 4321m. It features East Africa’s 4th highest mountain and an iconic attraction to explore on Uganda safari.
Mount Elgon National Park is situated in Eastern Uganda, home to several unique wildlife and birds. Mt. Elgon is undoubtedly the main water catchment area of the Nzoia River, a river that feeds Lake Victoria and some parts of Kenya, especially the Turkwel River. On the summit of Mt. Elgon, there are 4 important peaks – Mubiyi 4210m, 4321m, Jackson’s summit 4165m, Wagagai 4321m and Kiongo 4303m. At the foothills of Elgon Mountain, there live the Bagisu and Sabiny communities.
Wildlife
The different wildlife species living in Mount Elgon National Park roam freely at the base of Mount Elgon. They include Defassa waterbucks, spotted hyenas, duikers, squirrels, elephants, black and white colobus monkeys, elephants, and blue monkeys.
Birds
At Mount Elgon National Park, there exist also over 300 species of birds. These include Eastern bronze-napped pigeon, black-shouldered kite, tacazze sunbird, moorland francolins, Jackson’s francolins, red-throated wryneck, lammergeyer, white-starred forest robin, black-collared apalis, moustached green tinker bird, hartlaub’s turacos, marsh widowbird, and more.
Best time to visit the park
Visits to Mount Elgon National Park can be carried out at any time of the year, but it is best to go during the dry/sunny season. The sunny/dry months in Elgon National Park start from June, July, and August, to September and December, and January to February.
Accommodation
There are 3 categories of accommodation in and around Mount Elgon National Park – Budget, Midrange and Luxury/Upmarket. The lodges and hotels to stay on Mount Elgon National Park: are Mbale Resort, Noah’s Ark Hotel, Kayegi Hotels, Masha Hotel, Kapkwai Forest and Mount Elgon View Hotel.
ACTIVITIES TO DO
There are many remarkable hiking trails worth conquering in and around Mount Elgon National Park. The main area of interest for hiking adventure seekers is the Elgon Volcano where you can conquer the Wagagai peak. The different trails to explore here include the Sasa trail perfect for hikers in need for shorter hikes taking about 4 days as you explore the Jackson’s pool and bamboo forest.
The Sipi trail, a 4-6 days hiking trail which starts at Kapkwai-Tutum cave and not far from the Sipi waterfalls. Located at the foothills of Mt. Elgon, the 3 Sipi falls features varying altitudes that is 100m, 65m and 85m.
The Piswa trail 7 days hiking trail but rewards hikers with spectacularly breathtaking views of the Karamoja plains, Kenya’s Kapeguria and Nandi hills. Day hikes through the forest exploration centre where 3 shorter trails measuring 3 to 7km exist. This is a perfect area for the less experienced hikers and visitors to experience the most of Mt. Elgon’s spectacular scenery and spot some wildlife.
Mountain biking is one of the recent addition to the numerous experiences. It was introduced by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a great opportunity for you to explore the different trails. The bikes for your mountain biking adventure can be hired from Sipi River Lodge, and you can conquer the 1.5 hour trail from Sipi Trading Centre located at the elevation of 1775m. This trail stretches up to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa.
If you are interested in caving experiences, visit the different caves located at the base of Mount Elgon. They include Mackingeny, Chepnyali, and Kitum. Other existing caves include Kapkwai and Khauka.
Abseiling is a unique experience awaiting you to enjoy on Uganda safari in Mount Elgon National Park. It is offered at the Sipi Falls cliffs, at an altitude of 100m where you enjoy uninterrupted views of the water pool and surrounding sceneries.
Mt. Elgon National Park is a rich birding spot, home to 300 bird species. A birding tour in this park is a great chance to look for birds such as the moor francolins, moustached green tinker birds, white-starred forest robin, black-shouldered kite, eastern bronze napped pigeon, hunter’s cisticolas, Jackson’s francolins, and others.
Trout fishing is a distinct experience that tourists come to take part on Mount Elgon National Park tour. This is done with use of gear and a permit should be obtained to be allowed to engage in this sport fishing experience.
Rock climbing is another thrilling outdoor activity awaiting you on Mt. Elgon N/Park safari. This adventure is enjoyable outside the park and requires some rock-scaling techniques to complete the hike through the 14 climbs with toughest being 35m.
The agro tourism and cultural tours offer the best of local community experience where you will meet with locals, explore more about the coffee farming practices, process of growing up to the time the coffee is ready for consumption.
How to get there
From Kampala capital, tourists drive for about 235km along the Jinja-Mukono-Mbale route. En-route, get a chance to visit multiple tourist sites including Ssezibwa falls, source of the Nile River at Jinja, Mabira forest and more.