Explore Mount Elgon National Park, one of the least visited parks in Uganda, and experience authentic adventures. Located in Eastern Uganda, Mount Elgon National Park is home to the world’s biggest intact caldera (4000 sq. km) and offers outstanding mountaineering adventures. This park is listed as one of the few Uganda’s UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserves. It derives its name from the scenic Mt. Elgon, lying between the border of Uganda and Kenya.
Mt. Elgon National Park (Uganda) was created in 1992 and currently sits on 1110 sq. km. The park’s iconic Mt Elgon volcano is an extinct shield volcano with the last eruption believed to have occurred 24 million years ago. This is the biggest caldera volcano with a diameter measuring up to 80 km and lies at an altitude of 4321m. While at the Elgon National Park, expect to conquer the Wagagai peak (4321m) and other Jackson’s summits (4165m), Mubiyi (4210m), and Kiongo mountain peak. In Africa, Mt. Elgon features in the 8th position as the highest mountain peak.
Other amazing features that make up Mount Elgon National Park include the caves, such as Ngwarisha caves, Chepnyalil, Kitum caves, Makingeny, and more. The park is also bordered by scenic waterfalls like the Sipi and Chebonet. At the base of Mount Elgon, there are amazing communities to visit for you to interact with residents, including the Sabiny and Bagisu.
Wildlife
At Mount Elgon National Park, expect to explore a myriad of wildlife that roam around the base area. The notable animals to find on a tour here include the spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbucks, elephants, squirrels, oribis, bushbucks, and many primates. The common primates found in this park include blue monkeys, black & white colobus monkeys.
The park also features varied vegetation cover that comprises lobelia, heath, groundsel, bamboo forest, and moorland.
Elgon’s diverse bird species
Over 300 species of birds are concentrated in the various habitats of Uganda’s Elgon Game Park. They include Tacazze sunbirds, Elgon francolins, red-fronted parrots, Northern double-collared sunbirds, brown saw-wing, Luhder’s bush shrikes, white-necked raven, Nyanza swift, common robin chat, lammergeyer, black-headed waxbill, chin spot batis, ring-necked doves, tropical boubou, Northern crombec, and Ayre’s hawk. Kandt’s waxbill, mountain illadopsis, pied crown, pale flycatchers, grey-throated barbets, Eurasian blackcap, Narina trogon, and common stonechat.
Things to do/Experiences in Mt Elgon National Park
Hiking (with an expert)
Mount Elgon National Park is most popular for its captivating hiking adventures. The park has plenty of hiking opportunities along the different trails. As an adventure seeker, be prepared to experience the best of Mt Elgon’s peaks, especially the Wagagai peak (4321m). The hiking trails to explore include the Piswa trail, which requires at least 7 days to complete the 49km. This begins from Kapkwata, located along the north end of Mt. Elgon, and hikers get a chance to traverse the wood plantation and podocarps forest. Some of the animals can be spotted along the way, and also do not miss the breathtaking plains of the Karamoja region, as well as Kenya’s Nandi and Kapeguria Hills.
The Sasa trail offers the shortest hiking experience and takes you only 4 days to complete your hiking adventure. Other trails to consider exploring include the Sipi trail, 56 km, taking you between 4 and 6 days of round hiking, and you begin your adventure at the Kapkwai forest exploration center.
Bird-watching
Expect to embark on a journey to explore a variety of birdlife. During the birding tour, you can come across birds such as cardinal woodpeckers, white-chinned prinia, moustached green tinker birds, Luhder’s bush shrikes, moorland francolins, ring-necked doves, Nyanza swift, Alpine chats, White storks, Narina trogon, Jackson’s francolins, fine-banded woodpeckers, purple-throated cuckoo shrikes, white-headed sawwing, black-tailed oriole, and western barn owls. You can also find birds like red-throated wryneck, Northern puff-back, African pygmy kingfishers, and cinnamon bracken warblers.
Sipi’s Abseiling adventures
Abseiling is one of the unique adventures that await you on a safari in Mount Elgon. This adventure offers the Sipi Falls scenic views as you descend using ropes.
Trout fishing
Trout fishing tours provide alternative excursions to guests visiting Mount Elgon. It is a unique experience that lets you catch the trout (rainbow) fish on the Sipi River. You need fishing gear to engage in trout fishing, and permits can be secured from the Sipi River Lodge.
Rock hiking/climbing
Rock climbing (hiking) is another amazing adventure you can enjoy, especially if you are looking for challenging experiences. Visit Mount Elgon National Park to enjoy a guided rock hiking excursion in the Sipi region. About 14 hiking options await you, and ensure that you are fit to start your day.
Nature walks
Embark on nature walking excursions on some of the enriching trails on Mount Elgon. At Mt. Elgon, expect to conquer some of the trails with rewarding encounters or experiences, including the Piswa trail, Sipi Falls, and Sasa. Choose the trail that fits your level of fitness and promise great encounters like monkeys or other features, especially waterfalls and cliffs.
Agro-tourism/community tours
Get on a journey to learn more about agro-tourism and community experiences. This is perfectly enjoyed at the base of Mt. Elgon, and expect to concentrate on the Arabica coffee tour. Learn more about coffee farming and also have a chance to taste the seeds. The guided community tours/agro-tourism is enjoyed with an experienced expert/guide allocated to you.
When to visit Mt. Elgon National Park –Uganda
Mt. Elgon National Park welcomes nature lovers all year round to appreciate its wonders. However, the peak/high season presents excellent weather conditions for mountaineering and other adventures in the park. The peak dry seasons/months to consider planning and embarking on the safari include June to September or December to February. The peak dry season comes with excellent visibility thus allowing you to enjoy views of the park’s wonders, unlike the rainy/wet season, which comes with some inconveniences.
Accommodation options to stay (lodges in Mount Elgon National Park)
The accommodation options are available at the base of Mt Elgon National Park and Mbale city. They include, among others, Noah’s Ark Hotel, Elgon View Hotel, Mbale Resort, and Sasa River Camp.
How to reach Mt. Elgon National Park (Uganda) from Kampala/Entebbe
Mount Elgon National Park is accessible by road starting from Kampala through Jinja to the Mbale route. This is about a 6-hour drive trip, and we expect to embark on a journey in a 4×4 car.