Mount Elgon is an extinct volcanic mountain with the largest surface area in the world (50km by 80km) and a caldera with a diameter of about 8 km. The highest peak is Wagagai, 4.321 m. It lies at the border with Kenya. The National Park is 1.145 kms in extension. The local people, Bagisu used to call the mount “Masaba”, while “Elgon” is named after the Anglicization of the Maasai “El Kony”. The best time to visit Mount Elgon is May and September, November and December. Its mountainous terrain introduces variety to an otherwise monotonous regional landscape. Its cool heights offer respite for humans from the hot plains below and its higher altitudes provides a refuge for flora and fauna.
Species in Mount Elgon
The mountain is home to 300 birds including 40 restricted range species. 56 of the 87 Afrotropical highland biome species live here, notably the Moorland Francolin, Moustached Green Tinkerbird and Alpine Chat. Birds whose Ugandan range is limited to Mount Elgon include the Jackson’s Francolin and Black-collared Apalis. While ascending Mount Elgon, there are four different forest zones: the lush montane forest, the mixed bamboo belt, the heath and the spectacular moorland hyrachs, which contains rare species like the giant Lobelia Elgonensis and clusters of groundsels which are unique to Africa. At least 300 species of birds are recorded, including Jackson’s francolin, guinea fowls, sunbirds and turacos. The checklist for mammals includes at least 24 species.
Popular Activities
Trekking Sipi Falls:
Visitors who opt to hike Sipi Falls have up to three main trailheads leading to the Elgon mountain peaks. One may start from Budadiri i.e Sasa trailhead, Sipi trailhead-forest exploration center-Kapkwai or may use the Kapkwata commonly referred to as the Piswa trailhead. Sasa trail passes through the park’s largest area of bamboo forest,it is the most direct route to the peaks though steep with rugged climbs of over 1600m in the start and its accessible from Mbale.
Birding in Mt. Elgon
Birding around Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre is the excellent place for bird lovers, in particular in the secondary forest and thick shrub along the loop trail to Cheptui Falls. It supports the African Goshawk; Chubb’s Cisticola, White-chinned Prinia and African Blue Flycatcher among others.
Nature walks in Mt. Elgon
Nature walks in Mt. Elgon gives excellent opportunity to observe Sipi Falls, the Walls of Death and the African sunrise across the Karamoja plains on these peaceful walks just outside Mt Elgon National Park.
Cultural Encounters in Mt. Elgon
Visiting local community will take you on large farm of Arabica coffee – also named Sipi or Bugisu by the farmers – who have a reputation for producing some of the finest washed Arabica in Kenya and Uganda.
Mountain Biking in Mt. Elgon
Mountain biking trails run from Sipi trading centre to Chema hill in Kapchorwa town. It should take 1.5 hours and provides views of various waterfalls
Day Hikes
Numerous day hikes depart from the Forest Exploration Centre near Sipi Falls, which the most popular being a trio of short loops taking in valleys, ridges, and caves.
Accommodation facilities
The park has quite good number of lodge that provide good services to clients and these include the Mbale resort hotel, Lacam lodge, Sipi falls lodge to mentioned but a few many small guest houses located in Mbale town.
How to get there
Mount Elgon National Park lies 235km east of Uganda’s capital city. A tarmac road runs through Jinja to Mbale town at the western base of Mount Elgon, before climbing to Kapchorwa on the mountain’s north-western flank. Tarmac road lead off the Mbale-Kapchorwa road to reach the various trailheads.