Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park protects one of East Africa’s oldest landscapes: an extinct shield volcano straddling the Uganda-Kenya border, its summit caldera among the largest intact calderas in the world. Wagagai Peak, the highest of its five peaks at 4,321 metres, rises entirely within Uganda, while the mountain’s lower slopes fall away into forest and bamboo before opening onto the moorland above Sipi Falls’ three cascading waterfalls.

Trails climb from Budadiri, Kapkwai and Sipi through montane forest and Afro-alpine moorland studded with giant lobelia, passing caves hollowed from ancient lava flows that have sheltered wildlife and local communities for generations. Below the peaks, the forest holds over 300 recorded bird species alongside blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and elephant and buffalo on the lower slopes.

What to Expect

Most visitors base themselves near Sipi Falls for one to two nights, combining waterfall hikes, cave visits and birding on the Kapkwai forest trails. Reaching Wagagai Peak itself is a serious undertaking — the Sasa, Sipi and Piswa routes each run four to seven days round trip — so trekkers heading for the summit should budget the better part of a week.