Mount Elgon National Park spans an area of 1,110 square kilometres, straddling the slopes of Mount Elgon on the Ugandan side. It is situated in Eastern Uganda, with Mbale serving as the closest town. One of Uganda’s oldest features is the extinct volcano Mountain Elgon, which is thought to have formed via volcanic eruption some 24 million years ago.
Degradation has lowered the height of Mountain Elgon, which was once the highest peak in Africa, to 4321 metres. Today, it ranks eighth overall and fourth in East Africa. With a base area of 3840 square kilometres, Mountain Elgon boasts the largest mountain caldera and largest base in the world. The highest peaks of Mount Elgon are;
Wagagai: 4321 metres; Sudek: 4303 metres; Koitobos: 4222 metres; Mubiyi: 4210 metres
Mount Elgon is a volcano that sits between the borders of Kenya and Uganda. It provides water because it is home to rivers like the Nzoi River, which flows into Lake Victoria in Uganda, and the Turkwel River, also called the Suam River in Uganda, which empties into Lake Turkana in Kenya. The Susa River and Sipi Rivers combine to form the Sipi Falls. In 1992, Mountain Elgon National Park was gazetted and subsequently designated as a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve.
Wildlife in Mount Elgon national park
Wildlife
Many animal species can be found in Mount Elgon National Park, although due to the dense forest cover, it is difficult to see these animals. This park is home to primates like black-and-white monkeys, Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and Defassa waterbucks, as well as elephants, oribi, bushbucks, buffaloes, and spotted hyenas.
Birdlife
There are 296 known bird species in Mount Elgon National Park, 40 of which are exclusive to Uganda. Notable bird species found there include the Tacazze sunbird, Jackson’s Francolin, Black-shouldered Kite, Black-collared Apalis, and Lammergeyer.
SAFARI ACTIVITIES TO DO IN MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING
One of the most breathtaking Destinations in Uganda for mountain climbing safaris is the Mountain Elgon National Park. Mount Elgon, Uganda’s second-highest peak, provides one of the easiest and most accessible mountain climbing safaris in East Africa, necessitating no prior mountain climbing experience. Mount Elgon is the highest peak at 4321 metres, with Wagagai peak being the highest. To reach the summit, one must trek for approximately 4 days along two major trails, the Sasa Trail and the Piswa Trail.
Sasa Trail
The Sasa Trail, which begins in Budadiri and travels through community land via farm fields and coffee plantations, is the quickest and most difficult path up Mount Elgon. It provides an opportunity to explore and learn about the Bamasaba settlements and their culture. On the way to Wagagai Peak, the Sasa Trail passes by sections of bamboo forests and Jackson’s pool.
Piswa Trail
At 2,050 metres above sea level, the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre is the starting point of the 56-kilometer Piswa Trail, which leads to Wagagai peak. This trail goes through the northwest face of Mount Elgon, and ascenders can view the Tutum Cave, which opens into the Caldera, before reaching the peak of Wagagai.
Budadiri Bumasola is the starting point for a four-day mountain Elgon hike. From Sasa River Camp, it’s a 1,110-meter walk to Mude Cave Camp, and the final climb gets you to the Wagagai peak. After hiking back to Mude Cave from Wagagai Peak, you will descend to 1,250-meter Budadiri.
BIRD WATCHING
With over 300 different species of birds, including 40 that are unique to Mount Elgon National Park and endangered, it is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The best places to see birds in the park are the vast, densely forested areas of Kapkawi, which stretch up to Cheptui Falls. When bird watching in Mount Elgon National Park, some of the birds to watch out for are the African Goshawk, African Blue Flycatcher, Chubb’s Cisticola, African Goshawk, Black Kite, Cinnamon Bee Eater, Tucazze Sunbird, Olive, and Bronze-naped Pigeons.
HIKING AND NATURE WALKS
All levels of hikers can enjoy the thrilling hiking and nature walks that Mountain Elgon has to offer. Both long and short hourly hikes on different trails that lead to different mountain features are available. The following hiking and nature walks are available in the Mount Elgon National Park:
The Hike in the Mountains with Bamboo
The 7-kilometer Mountain Bamboo Hike follows the Bamboo Trail through bamboo and tropical forests before arriving at the Kapkwai Caves. It is possible to see a variety of primate species, including black and white colobus monkeys, birds, including Baglafetcht weaver, black kite, cinnamon bee eater, Tucazze sunbird, olive, and bronze-naped pigeons, and rare tree species, including Elgon teak and Elgon olive, while hiking this trail.
Additionally, visitors can walk 5 kilometres to the Chebonet Falls, 3 kilometres to the Kapkwai Caves via the Ridge View Trail, and 11 kilometres to the Tutum Cave. On Mount Elgon’s slopes, camping is another option for visitors.
Hiking to the Khauka Cave
A 3 to 4-hour hike will take you to the Khauka cave in Wanale. During the hike, you can also go to the Nabuyoga loop, which offers a clear view of Wagagai peak and Jackson’s summit.
In Mount Elgon National Park, short hikes can also be taken to see the Lower Falls of Drigana, the Sasa River Cam, and the Mudagi Cliffs.
You can see a variety of bird and monkey species in Mount Elgon National Park while hiking and taking nature walks.
CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS
Cultural encounters in Mount Elgon National Park take you on a visit to different local communities that live on the park’s edges and on the mountain’s slopes. One such experience is a walk through coffee plantations and an encounter with the Sipi Widow’s Group. You will see how coffee is planted, pricked, ground, and finally cleaned to create a finished product that can be sold when you visit.
This engaging program also includes a visit with the residents of Sabiny and the Bagisu farmers, where you can discover how Arabic coffee is grown on the mountainside of Mount Elgon. You will experience their everyday way of life at the Sabiny and take part in a number of customary activities like learning about African cuisines, learning how to make and taste these mouthwatering dishes, weaving, and creating a variety of handcrafted items, some of which you can purchase at reasonable prices.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain biking in Mount Elgon National Park is an exhilarating activity that takes place on a trail that runs from Sipi Trading Centre to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa Town. The 1.5-hour ride offers breathtaking views of the plains of Karamoja and several waterfalls that you will come across while biking. If you’re interested in mountain biking, you can rent bikes from Sipi River Lodge or bring your own.