Mountain Elgon National Park
Mountain Elgon National Park is a transboundary park the world’s biggest caldera mountain named after mountain Elgon an extinct volcano situated in the eastern parts of Uganda bordering Kenya. Mountain Elgon National Park is recognised as UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve with the highest point of Mountain Elgon Wagagai (4,321m) covering an entirely larger area in Uganda than Kenya and other peaks include Sudek (4,303m), Koitobo (4,222m), and Mubiyi (4,210m). Mountain Elgon National Park is unique as it’s straddlers borders between two countries each managing its share that’s Uganda covering approximately 1,140 square kilometres which was initially gazetted in 1992 and Kenya encompassing about 169 square kilometres which was much earlier gazetted in 1968.
Location of Mountain Elgon National Park:
Mountain Elgon National Park is a transboundary park situated in the eastern parts of Uganda sharing borders with Kenya though its largest part in Uganda. The Park was named after mountain Elgon which is believed to have initially erupted around 24 million years ago making it one of East Africa’s oldest geographical features extends its boundaries up to 1,145 square kilometres harbouring a variety of wildlife and bird species, diverse eco-system like tropical forests, afro-alpine moorland and bamboo.
Attractions in Mountain Elgon National Park:
Mountain Elgon National Park is most popular for its extinct Volcanic Elgon Mountain that harbours a variety of wildlife, bird species, caves, scenic landscapes as well as the diverse eco-system such as the dense tropical montane forests, afro-alpine moorland and bamboo.
- Wildlife in Mountain Elgon National Park
Mountain Elgon is home to diverse wildlife species such as the frequent savannah Elephants and buffaloes on the lower mountain slopes, small antelopes, leopards, duikers, bushbucks, spotted hyenas among as well as primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys usually in the dense tropical montane forests and over 300 bird species are supported including the endangered Lammergeyers (bearded vultures) that can be seen soaring above the Caldera and Suam Gorge among.
- Bird Species in Mountain Elgon National Park:
The Park supports over 300 bird species including the Tacazze sunbird and endangered Lammergeyers (bearded vultures) that can be seen soaring above the Caldera and Suam Gorge, and some of the Afrotropical highland biome species like African goshawk, Chubb’s cisticola, white-chinned prinia, crowned hornbill as well as over 40 bird species are limited only to Mountain Elgon in Uganda such as Jackson’s Francolin, Black-collared Apalis, and Moustached Green Tinker bird among.
- Mount Elgon Caldera.
The Park harbours one of the world’s largest Calderas covering about 40 square kilometres known for its adventurous but thrilling hiking and mountain climbing opportunities with various trails to the peak.
- Vegetation in Mountain Elgon National Park:
The Park features vegetation zones that changes with altitude from dense tropical montane forest (1,500m-2,500m) on the lower slopes to heath (3,000m-3,500m) and afro-alpine moorland at higher altitudes.
Activities In Mountain Elgon National park
Mountain Hiking
Mount Elgon offers adventurous and thrilling hiking and mountain climbing experiences using various trails leading the Wagagai Peak (4,321m) the highest point of Mount Elgon and other peaks such as Sudek (4,303m), Koitobo (4,222m), and Mubiyi (4,210m) in notable trails like Piswa taking hikers about 7 days, Sipi trail 4 to 6 days hiking, the Sasa trail about 4 days trekking among more.
Birding
Mount Elgon boasts of over 300 bird species including the Tacazze sunbird and endangered Lammergeyers (bearded vultures) that can be seen soaring above the Caldera and Suam Gorge, and some of the Afrotropical highland biome species like African goshawk, Chubb’s cisticola, white-chinned prinia, crowned hornbill as well as over 40 bird species are limited only to Mountain Elgon in Uganda such as Jackson’s Francolin, Black-collared Apalis, and Moustached Green Tinker bird among making it a top destination for birders.
Nature Walks in Mountain Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park offers various trails for nature walks with guided park rangers such as the 7km Bamboo Trail to Kapkwai Cave taking about 4 hours passing through the tropical and bamboo forest with great views of flora and fauna such as birds, trees, primates among, the Khauka Cave Trail taking about three to four hours and lastly Budariri short hikes with sights of Sasa river camp, the Mudadiri cliffs, and the Drigna lower slopes best for birders among more.
- Sipi Falls Hikes
Top destination in the eastern Uganda in Sipi town with epic beautiful all 3 waterfalls that are set on varying iconic cliff altitudes ranging 85 metres to 65 metres and 100 metres.
- Abseiling
Mountain Elgon Nation Park supports abseiling experiences down the 100 metres from high Sipi Falls.
- Cave Exploration
Mount Elgon is made up of numerous natural caves that are remaining of flowing lava, and erosions. These natural landforms named caves can be accessed through walks to Kapkwai Cave which is near the Forest Exploration Centre, and Khauka Cave existing on Wanale Ridge.
Fly Fishing
The Sipi River within Mount Elgon National Park transboundary with the highest Sipi waterfalls supports fly fishing for rainbow trout in the Sipi River after obtaining permits at Sipi River Lodge.
Coffee Tour
Mount Elgon offers an opportunity to visit Uganda’s finest coffee produced from Arabica Beans. The process starts from visiting the nursey setting of Arabica Beans, to harvesting, shredding, grinding and coffee brewing.
Cultural visit in Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park supports cultural encounters to the local communities such as the Bagisu and Sabiny people who considered the mountain as their ancestral home through participating in cultural activities like cultural dances that’s witnessing the traditional Bagisu and Sabiny dances, and their traditions like Bagisu referred to as Masaba.
Best time to visit Mount Elgon National Park:
Mountain Elgon National Park is available all year round though the best time to optimally experience it is during the dry season in Uganda in the months of May through September and December to February.
Accommodations in and around Mount Elgon National Park:
Mount Elgon National Park offers all types of stay in and around ranging from budget friendly to mid-range to luxury accommodations.
Budget-friendly stay in and around accommodations; Masha Hotel, Noah’s Ark Hotel, Mount Elgon view Hotel, Sipi Backpackers and Wimpey Hotel.
Mid-range stay in and around accommodations such as Lacam Lodge, Mise Cave Lodge, and Kageyi Hotel.
Luxury stays in and around accommodations include Mbale Resort Hotel, Lacam Lodge, Mount Elgon and Spa, and Elgon Massai Lodge.
Direction to Mountain Elgon National Park:
Mount Elgon National Park is situated approximately 235Km eastern Uganda from Kampala to Mbale to Kapchorwa within Bugitimwa village. The distance requires about 4 to 5 hours drive depending on the road traffic using Kampala – Jinja Highway to Mbale – Kapchorwa route.
