Mountain Elgon National Park
It is a national park 140 kilometers northeast of Lake Victoria. This park is a home to a plethora of wild life. The lower slopes of mount Elgon are inhabited by elephants, buffaloes and a variety of small antelopes. The dense montane forest contains primate such as the black and white colobus monkey and the blue monkey.
Location Of Mountain Elgon National Park
It is found in the northeast of Lake Victoria. The park covers an area of 1279 square meters and is bisected by the boarder of Kenya and Uganda. The Ugandan part covers 1110km2 while the Kenyan part covers 169km2.
Wildlife Of Mountain Elgon National Park
Numerous animals live in Mount Elgon National Park. Elephants, buffalo, and a variety of tiny antelope live on Mount Elgon’s lower slopes.
Primates like the blue monkey and the black and white colobus monkey can be found in the deep highland forest.
More than 300 different bird species, including the lammergeier and the Tacazze sunbird, may be found in the park.
Local Culture Of Mountain Elgon National Park
The Sabiny and the Bagisu are two tribes that reside in Mount Elgon National Park. The Bagisu speak Lugisu, a Lumasaba dialect, and the Sabiny speak Sebei, a Nilotic language.
The Bagisu refer to the mountain as Mount Elgon because they think it represents their founding father, Masaba. Both tribes engage on subsistence agriculture.
Introduction To Mountain Elgon
Introduction to mountain Elgon National park.
The Mount Elgon National Park is named after Mount Elgon, an extinct shield volcano that first erupted more than 24 million years ago and is located on the Kenyan-Ugandan border.
With a peak elevation of 4,321 meters, Mount Elgon is the eighth-highest mountain in Africa and has the biggest surface area of any extinct volcano in the world. The Ugandan section of the park occupies 1,110 km2 of its 1,279 km2 total surface area, whereas the smaller Kenyan section occupies 169 km.
Lodges in mountain Elgon national park: Mountain Elgon lodge, Rafiki lodge sipi, Lacam lodge in mountain Elgon park, Sipi valley resort.
Things To Do At mountain Elgon National Park
Rock climbing.
This takes place outside mount Elgon national park at Sipi falls, there are several routes that require us with level of rock scaling techinics. The required equipment can be hiked from the sipi falls tourist guide association. The hardest route measures 35meter climb while the easiest is 5 meter. The area is rewarding with great viewing of the falls and the Karamoja plains.
The Sasa Trek is the shortest but most difficult trail, taking four days to complete. This is the traditional path to Wagagai, the 4,321-meter peak of Mount Elgon. At a height of 1,250 meters, the trail’s beginning is near the town of Budadiri in Uganda’s Eastern Region. The first day comprises a challenging 1,650m elevation. The trail next enters a forest, leading to the ladder-climbable Mudangi Cliffs. The next activity is a 2.5-hour stroll in a lovely bamboo forest. Day 2 is a more leisurely hike, and you will arrive in Wagagai on
The Piswa Trail is a longer, less taxing option to the Sasa Trail. In 7 days, you’ll travel around 49 kilometers. At a height of 2,190 meters, the trail’s beginning is at the Kapkwata settlement on the mountain’s northern flank. The trail is renowned for its breathtaking vistas of Kenya’s Kapenguria and Nandi Hills and Uganda’s Karamoja Plains.
The Sipi Trek is the longest trail, stretching 56 kilometers over four to six days. A few kilometers from Sipi Falls, at the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre, the trail begins. The portion through Tatum Cave, known for its prehistoric cave paintings, is one of its highlights.
Day Hikes: The Forest Exploration Center features three shorter paths that range in length from 3 to 7 kilometers. These pathways are ideal for novice hikers and tourists who wish to enjoy Mount Elgon’s breathtaking beauty and abundant animals quickly.
Bird watching.
This refers to the practice of observing birds in their natural environment as a hobby. This is one of the activities in mount Elgon national park. Mountain Elgon is also a great place for travelers who are bird lovers which gives an excellent birding opportunity to exist around the kapkwai forest exploration center. In regard around the secondary forest and thick shrub along the trail to cheptui falls these are the best bird spotting areas and bird species that are African goshawk, white chinned perinea to mention but a few.
Over 300 different bird species can be found in Mount Elgon National Park, which has been designated as an Important Bird Area.
Avian enthusiasts should keep an eye out for endangered species like the lammergeier. Additionally, keep an eye out for the African goshawk, the cinnamon-chested bee eater, and the African blue fly-catcher.
Bird Watching is commonly done in the following ways in Mountain Elgon;
Walks to the falls: While on your way to the bottom of all three levels of waterfalls, you will experience a number of bird species.
Forest walks: While on your way hiking the mountain Elgon till the its summit Wagagai, You will hear and see more Birds
Coffee Visits: While on your way through the coffee plantations in the Mountain Elgon National Park, you will experience a great bird time
Birds include African Blue Fly-catcher, the African Goshawk, Chubb’s Cisticola, Tacazze, White-chinned Prinia, Chinspot Batis, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Dohertys and Luhders Bush-shrikes etc
Sportfishing.
At the sipi falls there is an opportunity for spot fishing which will keep you busy as some of the local join you. It provides a good challenge to anyone interested in the rainbow trout. Remember to your own equipment and get a permit from sipi river lodge.
Waterfalls.
The mountain rivers plunge over massive cliffs on the northern and western side of mountain Elgon forming some of the most beautiful falls. Among these are three beautiful falls together known as the sipi falls. These are outside the park and a hike to all the three is a fulfilling experience.
Mountain biking.
Kapchorwa and the entire mountain Elgon region provide great mountain biking routes that will keep your adrenaline high as you transverse the area. For one who would like to do this activity, it normally starts from the sipi trading Centre to Chema hill and that is in Kapchorwa.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority unveiled mountain bike routes in 2012. In order to hire bicycles, go to Sipi River Lodge. From Sipi Trading Centre, located at an elevation of 1,775 meters, a one and a half-hour trail leads to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa.
Why Mount Elgon? The area is rugged with rocks, creek and rain washout, and many steep declines. It is an adventure to navigate. There are former logging roads and gravel ones in the pristine forest valley. Sparkling streams and a variation in vegetation zones contribute to the beauty of Mount Elgon. You are assured of stunning views of the African wilderness.
Nature and hiking walk. (Wagagai Summit hiking)
Nature and hiking walks are trails located both within the park and outside the park. This activity involves walking through mountain Elgon vegetation. At sipi falls, local guides from the community take you in the walks that last for over two hours to even a whole day walking where you will get to see the stunning views of the Karamojong region and sebei region. There is full hike through the budadiri to mudange cliffs, which is known as the walls of death. These cliffs are located in the tropical forest at the boundary of natural parks.
One of Mount Elgon’s main draws is its network of hiking trails. Unlike other climbs in East Africa, Mount Elgon’s routes are open all year long and don’t call for specialized climbing gear. Compared to other hiking paths in East Africa, Mount Elgon’s hiking trails are less crowded, allowing you to fully appreciate the area’s breathtaking beauty.
There are three primary hiking trails, and they range in length and difficulty.
Getting There and When to Visit Mountain Elgon National Park
When to Visit Mountain Elgon National Park.
Although Mount Elgon is accessible all year round, we advise that you travel there between the drier months of June and August and November to March.
If you go there in November or December, you can view its lovely wildflowers in bloom.
In contrast, Mount Elgon’s trails are more slick during the rainier seasons, which can make hiking more difficult. You will always be surrounded by magnificent vistas when you visit.
Getting to mountain Elgon National Park
From Kampala.
Around 235 kilometers separate Kampala from Mount Elgon National Park.
The first section of the journey is on a tarmac road from Jinja to Mbale, a city in Uganda’s Eastern Region. Next, the route ascends to Kapchorwa, which is located on Mount Elgon’s northwest flank.
To get to the numerous trailheads, the second portion of the trek is on dirt roads that branch off the Mbale-Kapchorwa route.
Where to stay at Mountain Elgon National Park
Sipi River Lodge.
Our favorite five-star hotel is located in Mount Elgon’s foothills. Beautiful views of Mount Elgon National Park may be seen from this resort. Aniet, Kapsurur, Chepkui, and Toben are just a few of Sipi’s 4 Waterfall Cottages, which are available to tourists looking for peaceful lodging.
Each cottage includes an own veranda, an en suite bathroom, and a unique view of Kapsurur Falls. The Riverside Bandas Piswa, Sasa, and Suam are also available from Sipi. The bandas combine opulence with regional building customs. The bandas are able to fit in perfectly with their stunning surroundings because to their round walls and realistically made thatched roofing.
Kapwaki Cottages.
This inexpensive lodging, which is located at Mount Elgon National Park’s entrance, was initially constructed as a base for students traveling through the dense forest.
Travelers have a choice of 4 cottages or 4 stationed tents, both of which are utilitarian yet comfortable accommodations.
You may refuel after a long day of action by purchasing food and beverages at the on-site canteen.
Mountain Elgon Hotel and Spa.
This budget hotel, which is situated in Mbale’s outskirts, was once a colonial structure that was transformed in the 1950s. The Mount Elgon Hotel offers Junior Rooms, Superior Rooms, and Executive Suites as its three different lodging options. Several VIP guests, including representatives of governments and members of royal families, have stayed at the Executive Suites.
You can choose to relax at the spa, the mini-gym, or the restaurant after a strenuous day of hiking. Even better, you may reserve a custom drinking experience that includes a cocktail and wine tasting.