Mount Elgon National park
Mount Elgon National park Uganda Mount Elgon National Park Situated on the Kenyan – Uganda border in Eastern Uganda, Mount
Mount Elgon National Park
Situated on the Kenyan – Uganda border in Eastern Uganda, Mount Elgon National Park stretches along the foothills of Mount Elgon, an extinct shield volcano which first erupted more than 24 million years ago. Most of the caldera of this extinct volcano lies in Uganda. However, a large part of the southern and eastern slopes of the massif lies within Kenya.
Mount Elgon has the largest surface area of any extinct volcano in the world, at 4,321m its peak is the eighth highest in Africa. The park has a surface area of 1,279km², the Uganda section covers 1,110km² and Kenyan section which is the smallest covers 169km².
Mount Elgon consists of five major peaks that is Wagagai ()
Flora
Mount Elgon National Park has 273 tree and shrub species, the vegetation of the park reflects the altitude controlled zonal belts commonly associated with large mountain massifs. There are four recognized broad vegetation communities; montane forest, up to an elevation of 2500 meters and comprising 48% of the total park area; mixed Bamboo and low canopy montane forest, from 2400 – 3000 meters and comprising 21% of the park area; high montane heath, from 3000 to 3500 meters and comprising 7% of the park area and moorland, above 35000 meters and comprising 24% of the park area.
Fauna
Mammals
Mount Elgon National Park is home to a plethora of wildlife. The lower slopes of Mount Elgon are inhabited by elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of small antelopes. The dense montane forest contains primates such as the black and white colobus monkey and the blue monkey.
Birds
Mount Elgon National Park is home to over 300 species of birds including the African Blue Fly-catchers, African Goshawk, Baglafecht Weaver, Black and White Casqued, Chin-spot Batis and the Baglafecht Weaver, black collared Apalis, Black-shouldered Kite, Chubb’s Cisticola, Crowned Hornbills, eastern bronze-naped pigeon, Doherty’s and Luhder’s Bush-Shrikes, Golden Winged and Tacazze sunbirds, Hartlaub’s turaco, Mackinon’s Fiscal, Ross’s and Hartlaubs Turacos, White-chinned Prinia
The endangered Jackson’s Francolin and Lammergeyer are only found in Mount Elgon National Park in Uganda.
Local Culture
The slopes of Mount Elgon is home to 2 tribes the Sabiny and the Bagisu. The Sabiny speak Sebei, a Nilotic language and the Bagisu speak a dialect of the Lumasaba language called Lugisu. The Bagisu believe that Mount Elgon is the manifestation of the founding father, Masaba, and call the mountain by this name. Both tribes do subsistence farming.
What to do in Mount Elgon National park
Hiking Mount Elgon
Birding
Mount Biking
Exploring Mount Elgon caves
Forest And Nature Walks
Hiking Mount Elgon
Hiking Mount Elgon
Hiking Mount Elgon is highlight of safaris to Mount Elgon National Park, unlike other mount climbing adventures in East Afria. Mount Elgon’s trails are accessible through the year and they require no specialist climbing equipment.
Mount Elgon hiking trails are less congested than other hiking trails in East Africa, allowing you to enjoy stunning scenery without any distractions. Mount Elgon has three main hiking trails which vary in length and difficulty.
The Sasa Trail – This is the shortest but most challenging trail, it is a four-day round trip. This trail is the original route to Wagagai, Mount Elgon’s 4,321 peak. The trail begins in the town of Budadiri in the Eastern Region of Uganda at an altitude of 1,250m. The first day involves a tough ascent of 1,650m. The trail then enters the forest, and you reach Mudangi Cliffs which are climbed using ladder. Next, there is 2.5 hour walk through the picturesque bamboo forest. Day 2 features a gentler walk, and you will reach Wagagai on Day 3.
The Piswa Trail – This trail is less strenuous but longer alternative to the Sasa Trail. You will cover 49km across 7 days. The trail begins at the village of Kapkwata on the north side of the mountain at an altitude of 2,190m, it is famous for its breath-taking views of Uganda’s Karamoja Plains and Kenya’s Kapeguria and Nandi Hills.
The Sipi Trail – This is the longest trail covering 56 km and takes around 4-6 days to complete. This trail begins at the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre, just a few kilometers from Sipi Falls. One of its highlights is the section through Tatum Cave which is famous for its ancient cave paintings.
Birding
Birding
Mount Elgon National Park is recognized as one of the Important Bird Area (IBA) and a haven for bird enthusiasts. On a birding excursion in this park, birders should lookout for rare species like endangered lammergeyer. Other bird species you will enjoy sight of include the African Blue Fly-catchers, African Goshawk, Baglafecht Weaver, Black and White Casqued, Chin-spot Batis and the Baglafecht Weaver, black collared Apalis, Black-shouldered Kite, Chubb’s Cisticola, Crowned Hornbills, eastern bronze-naped pigeon, Doherty’s and Luhder’s Bush-Shrikes, Golden Winged and Tacazze sunbirds, Hartlaub’s turaco, Mackinon’s Fiscal, Ross’s and Hartlaubs Turacos and White-chinned Prinia among others.
Mount Biking
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking was introduced in Mount Elgon National Park by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in 2012 by open up several trails to facilitate this experience. Bikes can be rented from Sipi River Lodge.
There are several trails used on mountain biking, one 1 ½ hour trail runs from Sipi Trading Centre at an altitude of 1,775m to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa.
Exploring Mount Elgon caves
Exploring the Mount Elgon Caves
For visitors not ready to go all the way up to the mountain peak can request for shorter day hikes or exploring some of the numerous caves on the slopes of the mountain. The three most visited caves are Chepnyali, Mackingeny and Kitum. These caves attract park mammals like elephants and antelopes that come to lick salt from the walls.
There are other ancient caves like those found in Budadiri with painting from thousands of year ago. The Khauka and Kapkwai caves in Wanale are a favorite with visitors because of their structure and numerous bats that provide manure from their droppings.
Forest And Nature Walks
Forest and Nature Walks
Mount Elgon National Park supports the growth of thick forest and other vegetation that make nature walks extremely fulfilling. While combing the mountain or visiting the caves, visitors encounter countless birds, wildlife and thick montane forest. Entering the moorlands in the upper slopes of the mountain exposes visitors to beautiful landscapes and undiscovered wilderness.
The Forest Exploration Center near the Sipi Falls organizes 3 to 7 kilometer day hike offering visitors more opportunities to marvel at the plants, ridges, valleys, caves and animals in the park.
There is also a trail that leads to the large Tutum Cave away from the centre. Visitors who walk along this trail have an opportunity to spot several birds and primates like the black and white colobus. The Tewali Hill where the former King of Sabiny used to hold meeting is also worth visiting. This hill has wonderful views of the Mount Elgon Peak, the Karamoja plains and the Sipi Falls.
When to Visit Mount Elgon National Park
Mountain Elgon National Park is accessible all year round, however the best time to visit during the drier seasons of June to August and November to March. Visiting in November or December will allow you to see its delightful wildflowers in bloom.
During the wetter months, Mount Elgon’s trails are more slippery and this can make your hike more challenging. Whenever you visit, you will be surrounded by panoramic views.
Getting to Mount Elgon National Park
From Kampala, it is a journey of approximately 235km. The first leg is on a tarmac road that runs through Jinja to Mbale, a city in the Eastern Region of Uganda. The road then climbs to Kamchorwa on Mount Elgon’s north-western side.
The second leg of the journey is on dirt roads that lead off the Mbale- Kapchorwa road to reach the various trailheads.
Accommodation in Mount Elgon National Park
There are several accommodation options in Mount Elgon National Park including
- Sipi River Lodge
- Mount Elgon Hotel and Spa
- Kapkwai Cottages among others.
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