About Mount Elgon National Park Uganda, Activities, Location & Fees
Mount Elgon National Park is most famous for its distinct world’s largest volcanic base also East Africa’s oldest biggest solidarity volcanic mountain. It is one destination that guarantees you authentic experiences, especially if you are interested in the most thrilling volcano hiking/climbing adventures.
Within Mt Elgon National Park, there is a massive Mount Elgon with a diameter measuring up to 80km and stands at an elevation of 4321m. This volcano features as the 8th highest in Africa and is set between the Uganda border and Kenya.
The scenic Mt. Elgon features many peaks including Wagagai peak (4321m), Kiongo peak (4303m), Jackson’s summit (4165m) and Mubiyi peak (4210m). In the surrounding, there are Bagisu and Sabiny communities.
Location, size and formation
Mt Elgon National Park is situated in Eastern Uganda, along the border with Kenya. It also extends to some part of Kenya, and the Ugandan side expands over land area coverage of 1110 sq.km.
It was gazetted as a National Park in 1992, while the Kenyan section officially became a National Park in 1968. Mt. Elgon National Park is also a recognized UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.
Attractions in Mount Elgon National Park:
Wildlife or Fauna
Within the different habitats in Mount Elgon National Park, there are varied animal/wildlife species to encounter. Most of the park’s diverse wildlife exist around the lower slopes, including the elephants, Defassa waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas, oribis, and buffaloes.
Other wildlife species include the red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, squirrels, duikers, leopards, and more.
Vegetation
There are distinct vegetation zones that exist around Mt. Elgon. These range from the montane forest, moorland and groundsel, lobelia, mixed bamboo forest, heath and others.
Bird species
Mt Elgon National Park supports more than 300 species of birds. These include the golden winged sunbird, tacazze sunbirds, black and white casqued hornbill, Jackson’s francolins, crowned hornbills, Chubb’s cisticolas, African blue flycatchers, lammergeyer, eastern bronze-napped pigeon, and red-fronted parrot.
Other birds include the African goshawk, western crested guinea fowl, scaly spurfowl, Elgon francolin, red eyed doves, hartlaub’s turacos, ross’s turacos, laughing dove, ring necked dove, and Nyanza swift.
Additional birds include white stork, augur buzzard, mountain buzzard, cassin’s hawk eagles, Ayres’s hawk eagles, common scimitar bill, white headed wood hoopoe, Narina trogon, yellow rumped tinker bird, cardinal woodpecker, double toothed barbet, gray throated barbet, moustached tinker bird, purple throated cuckoo shrike and chin spot batis.
Mt. Elgon National Park also protects birds such as the Northern fiscal, gray backed fiscal, tropical boubou, Northern crombec, buff-throated apalis, green backed carmoroptera.
Other birds of interest for enthusiastic birders include the yellow whiskered greenbul, Eurasian blackcap, red billed oxpeckers, mountain illadopsis, cape robin chat, pale flycatchers, and Kandt’s waxbill, etc.
The Sipi Falls
Next to Mount Elgon are the scenic triple Sipi waterfalls. These range in varying elevations of 100m, 75 and 85m. Other stunning waterfalls exist in Chebonet, Wanale, Sisyi and Bulago.
Things/Activities to do in Mount Elgon National Park
Mountain hiking
Mount Elgon offers the best of volcano hiking adventures. Hiking Mount Elgon involves conquering the Wagagai peak- the highest peak on this volcanic mountain. There are various trails worth taking to explore Mt. Elgon and include the Sasa trail which is notably the steepest route and takes at least 4 days or more.
The Sipi trail requires 4-6 days and hikers begin their adventures from the forest exploration center around Kapkwai –Tutum cave. The Piswa trail takes climbers 7 days and starting point is Kapkwata-Podocarps forest. Climbers/hikers with heavy luggage can have local porters who are available for hire at an affordable fee.
Abseiling
Abseiling is a unique experience awaiting holidaymakers on Uganda safari. During the abseiling adventure, you drop down 100m overviewing the ridge just close to a water pool from one of the Sipi Waterfalls.
Rock climbing
Mount Elgon National Park is an ideal spot for rock climbing. This is enjoyable around the Sipi area where there are 14 climbs but you need some rock-scaling techniques to successfully complete the adventure. The most challenging of all is the 35m climb and the easiest is 15m.
Trout fishing
One of the unusual excursion awaiting you on a tour in Mount Elgon is the trout fishing. This is done around the Sipi Falls and the experience involves catching some of the trout fish. You can come with your fishing gear and permits are available for booking at the Sipi River Lodge.
Bird watching
Diversity of birds are available for spotting in Mount Elgon National Park. These include the African blue flycatchers, African goshawks, Baglafetch weaver bird, white chinned prinia, Chubb’s cisticolas, Luhder’s bush shrikes, Ross’s turacos, and laughing dove, ring necked dove, and Nyanza swift.
Other birds to be identified on birding tour in Mt Elgon include the white stork, augur buzzard, mountain buzzard, Northern fiscals, tropical boubou, cassin’s hawk eagles, Ayres’s hawk eagles, common scimitar bill, white headed wood hoopoe, Narina trogon, yellow rumped tinker bird, cardinal woodpecker, double toothed barbet, gray throated barbet, moustached tinker bird, buff-throated apalis, purple throated cuckoo shrike and chin spot batis.
Nature/hiking walks
A nature walk or hiking excursion can be enjoyed around one of the different trails inside or outside the National Park. The key areas of interest for nature walks include the Sipi area, the Budadiri to Mudange cliffs. While on a guided walk, there is a chance to encounter some of the species like primates, especially baboons, colobus monkeys and birds.
Agro tourism and cultural visits
Adjacent to Mt Elgon National Park, there are exist enriching cultural villages/communities. Visitors are guided by experienced locals and the excursion involves exploring more about Arabica coffee growing in the area.
Best time to visit Mount Elgon National Park
The dry months are with no doubt the best months of the year for tourists to enjoy most of the safari activities in Mount Elgon National Park. The dry season occurs between the months of June, July and August; December, January, February till early March.
These are ideal months for climbing/mountaineering adventures. Even the rest of the months, it is possible to arrange a holiday to Mount Elgon –this is because the park is an all year round destination.
Where to stay at Mount Elgon National Park?
Different options of accommodation exist for visitors to consider for a night stay and include among others Mbale Resort Hotel, Sipi Travelers Lodge, Rafiki Lodge Sipi, Sipi River Lodge, Mount Elgon Hotel, Mountain Elgon View Hotel, Noah’s Ark Hotel, Masha Hotel, Sasa River Camp, and Camping.
How to get to Mount Elgon National Park?
The best way to reach Mount Elgon National Park is by embarking on a road transportation. You set off from the heart of Kampala or Entebbe city via Jinja-Iganga-Mbale route which is about 6-7 hours’ drive.