Mountain Elgon National Park
Known for its World’s largest surface area of any extinct volcano, Mt Elgon first erupted more than twenty four millions years ago.
It’s the fourth highest in East Africa with the second highest peak in Uganda, “Wagagai peak” standing at 4321 metres. At the top of this mountain, you will find a crater that is girdled by a series of rugged peaks.
Getting there
This Park lies 235km east of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. You can easily get there by a tarmac road that stretches through Jinja town to Mbale at the western base of Mount Elgon.
From Mbale, you continue with the hill hugging road to Kapchorwa on the north western flank of the Mountain. From Mbale – Kapchorwa road, a tarmac road lead off to various trailheads.
Best time to visit the Park
Mountain Elgon National Park is feasible to visit during the dry season starting from June to August and December to March.
To a lesser extend, you can visit the park in the periods of high rainfall for simple manageable trekking. A ll Mount Elgon’s peaks are accessible even to the novice hikers.
Flora & Fauna
On a trek to the slopes of Mountain Elgon, you will pass through lush montane forests and bamboo stretches that are teeming with different Wildlife species.
More to admire are the moorland zones consisting of numerous endemic plant species like Giant lobelia and groundsels. Primate lovers are fascinated by sights of Blue monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys.
Hundreds of bird species inhabit the Park’s pleasant habitats including the Black and White Casqued, Crowned Hornbills, the endangered Lammergeier and Jackson’s Francolin, Golden winged and Tacazze sun-birds, Ross’s and Hartlaubs Turacos to name but a few. Other rare species in the Park are duikers, hyena, buffaloes and leopards.
Activities in the Park
Hiking to the top of Mountain Elgon is the main highlight and reason for most of Safaris to this Park in the Eastern part of Uganda. Aside from its interesting flora and fauna, travelers embrace the Park’s enormous caves, scenic peaks, hot springs and magnificent waterfalls.
Bird Watching.
On top of hiking, Mountain Elgon is perfect for bird watchers. It hosts a range of different bird species including the unique ones that are not found in any other Uganda’s Park.
You can wander along the Chebonet River for some species like Chubb’s Cisticola, White-chinned Prinia, African Goshawk, African Blue Fly-catchers, Mackinon’s Fiscal, Baglafecht Weaver and more.
Trekking Routes in the Park.
Only two main trailheads leads to the Mountain’s peaks and these are Sasa trail and Pisa trailhead.
Sasa trail is the most direct route to the peaks and the most accessible from Mbale town. It winds through the Park’s largest stretch of bamboo forests. For the first day, you will ascend strenuous steep and rugged terrains.
Pisa trail starts from Kapkwata and is 30km beyond Kapchorwa, it passes through the vast Podocarpus forest and rewarding with breathtaking spots of Wildlife.
Other trails to hike are Sipi and Suam trailhead. Sipi trailhead starts at Kapkwai Forest exploration center, a few kilometers upstream the sipi falls and heads up to the concealed Tatum cave.
Saum trail starts at the village of Suam on the Kenyan border and follows the Saum river through the incredible Saum gorge to the magnificent hot springs on the Eastern side of the Caldera.
Guides and Porters in the Park
Hiring local guides and porters is the best way to support local community members near Mountain Elgon National Park. All porters available are trained and ready to offer emergency first aid services along with detailed information about culture and the Park’s natural sceneries.
Not only that, porters assist travelers by carrying their luggage up to the peak or camps where you are to stay.
Costs for hiring are affordable, for the guide it is 8000 and porter its 7000 Ugandan shillings. Before hiring the guide, make sure you ask for his license. For safety, a park ranger escort is paramount especially when ascending to the peaks or visiting the Calderas.
Accommodation.
Precise accommodation facilities are reserved in the Park surbubs for travelers to stay on a visit. Some of these facilities recommended are Forest Exploration Centre at Kapkwai and Kapkwata Rest House.
It is advisable that you book for these facilities in advance and make all arrangements through the Park Visitor’s office in Mbale.
Other Attractions Outside the Park.
Other than the Park natural sceneries, you can visit the cascading Sipi Falls. These falls are located at about 66 km from Mbale town, you can easily reach it en route on your way to the Forest Exploraton Centre.
Several trails allow for overwhelming day hikes up to these falls for panoramic views and nature encounters.
You can as well visit the nearby local village for cultural experiences. Do not miss the rock climbing expedition to Nagudi rock which lies half-way between Mbale and Budadiri town.
