MOUNTAIN ELGON NATIONAL PARK

Mountain Elgon is an extinct volcano that first erupted over 24 million years ago. With the largest surface area of any extinct Volcano in the world (50km * 80km), it is the fourth highest mountain in East Africa, with the second highest peak in Uganda (Wagagai peak, 4321 m). It has the largest intact caldera, a collapsed crater covering over 40kms at the top of the mountain, with a series of rugged peaks.

The Bagisu and the Sabiny people are the occupants of the mountains practicing peasantry cultivation. Both tribes practice circumcision with the Sabiny practicing female genital mutilation.

Flora and Fauna

The slopes of Mt Elgon consists of four-distinct forest types: the lush montane forest characterized with the Elgon peak, mixed bamboo belt, the fascinating heath and spectacular moorland hyrachs which contain stands of some of the most rare endemic plant species, such as the giant lobelia elgonensis and dotted clusters of peculiar groundsels which are found only in Africa. Dense shrubs and brilliant wild everlasting flowers follow. All this makes the ascent very interesting.
Several primate species are resident in this park. Other animals include bushbucks, antelopes, civets, wildcats and the elusive leopards, Bush duiker, hyena, jackal, rock hyrax, buffalo and elephants, among others. There over 300 bird species so far recorded including the endangered lammergeiers, the rare Jackson's francolin, guinea fowls, sunbirds and turacos, etc.

Tourism Activities

Tourism activities in Mt Elgon National Park include mountain hiking tours, primates tracking, birding and nature walks, among others.

Trekking - Trailheads

The main trailheads or starting points that lead to the mountain's peaks are three. You may opt to begin your ascent from Budadiri (Sasa trailhead), Forest Exploration Center-Kapkwai (Sipi Trailhead) or Kapkwata (Piswa Trailhead). Sasa Trail is accessible from Mbale and is the most direct route to the peaks though steep with rugged climb of over 1600m on the first day. It traverses the park's largest area of bamboo forest.
Sipi Trail offers the spectacular Tutum cave hidden within extensive forest, while Piswa Trail is famous for the towering Podpcarpus forest, a suitable place for wildlife viewing. In contrast, Sipi and Piswa trails begin at much higher elevations with longer more gradual climbs to the peaks.
After accessing the peaks you can either return through the same trails or descend via a different route. Each route has camping stages with an adjacent water source, plus tent pads and latrines. The park has developed a trekker's hut at Mude cave on Sasa Trail.
The full hiking circuit to the peaks takes about 5 days to complete.

Day Hikes

Two different day hike trails allow a tourist to explore Mount Elgon's diverse mountane forest. The most famous forest exploration center trail loop site with the cool mist at Chebonet falls, Kapkwai cave, the talking tree and a spectacular viewpoint, which lies just beyond is very interesting. A long "arm" of Mount Elgon bears the Wanale trails loop site. It is characterized with vertical cliffs of ridge and several cascading waterfalls that make a very scenic drive. You can look for petrified wood in the Khauka caves with spectacular panoramic view of the plains of Eastern Uganda.
The two-day hike areas have short walk trails ranging between 3-11kms  offering an excellent opportunity to experience Mt. Elgon's unique plants and wildlife within a short period of time.

UGANDA WILDLIFE SAFARIS
GORILLA TREKKING TOURS
RWANDA SAFARIS
UGANDA RWANDA CHIMPANZEE TREKKING
BIRDING TRIPS
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING TRIPS
CULTURAL TOURS