This is another unique tourist attraction but not so popular with the mountain itself being the main attraction for hiking. Mountain Elgon National park is found at the eastern border of Uganda and Kenya and is an extinct volcanic mountain that last erupted more than 24 million years ago. This is also one of Uganda’s oldest physical features and was at one point ranked the highest mountain in Africa at 6,895m above sea level, higher than Rwenzori and Kilimanjaro at 5,109m and 5,895m above sea level respectively.
However the era of erosion and denudation didn’t leave it the same as it is now ranks the 8th highest mountain on the African continent and 4th in the whole of East Africa region while standing at 4321m above sea level. The highest peak of this mountain is Wagagai which is on the Ugandan side and Kenya owns the smallest portion of this mountain at 169km only. The other peaks on the mountain include Jackson’s summit standing at 4165m, Mubiayi summit at 4,210m and Kiongo at 4,321m above sea level. The mountain is home to a series of rivers that form the famous Sipi falls, a very famous romantic spot in the eastern region of Uganda.
The Ugandan side of administration under Uganda wildlife authority first gazetted it as a Forest reserve in the year 1929, a status that was later changed to National park in 1992. The park covers districts of Mbale, Kapchorwa, Suam, Manafwa, Bududa, Budadiri and Sironko on the Ugandan side of it.
Mountain Elgon national park has got 2 annual rainfall seasons of April-June as well as between September – November with average temperatures remaining chilly due to its altitude and thick vegetation cover.
Mountain Elgon National Park covers an area size of over 1,121sq.km with the main and unique tourist attraction on this mountain is caldera on top of this mountain which is the largest in the whole world and it takes about 7 days of hiking to reach the top. The park also has got a rich avian life of over 300 bird species and among these the Lammergeyer eagle being the most sought after by most birders. The other bird species include Jackson’s francolin, Hunter’s Cisticola, Moorland Francolin, among others. The park also boosts of over 23 mammal species and these include elephants, buffaloes, among others as well as over 300 indigenous tree and other plant species
The Bagishu and Sabiny are the main 2 native tribes of this region and they are locally referred to as the Bamasaba people. They Bagishu mainly depend on small subsistence farming with coffee being their major cash crop and also do believe in male circumcision.
How to get there?
Mountain Elgon national park can be accessed by road from Kampala through Jinja to Mbale, a 240km journey that will take you about 5-6 hours of drive on smooth paved roads.
The other transport option is to fly from Entebbe on a chartered flight offered by Aerolink to Soroti and then drive for about an hour to the park headquarters.
Attractions and Activities in Mount. Elgon National park.
Wildlife Experience.
The national park is home to quite a big count of wildlife species with it being home to big herds of forest elephants, waterbucks, hyenas and buffaloes. The park is also home to some primate species like the Colobus, Red-tailed and Blue monkeys and while on your walk up to the peak, stay rest assured to spotting some.
Sipi Falls hike.
Sipi falls are a series of waterfalls at the edge of Mountain Elgon in Kapchorwa district eastern Uganda. This is a series of rivers flowing high up from the mountains and these are truly unique and magnificent in their own way.
There are daily guided nature walks on to the top of these waterfalls offered by local guides and these present to you majestic views of the dry Karamojong region in the North eastern direction of Uganda. There are three phases of waterfalls with the first one standing at 100m above sea level which is Sipi itself, second one is Ngasire at 87m and the third waterfall is Simba at 69m above sea level.
Mountain Climbing.
When you compare it to the other mountains across East Africa, Mountain Elgon offers less strenuous hikes but with one of kind scenic views as you go up. There are different trail heads to be explored daily and these range between day hikes to several days of hiking and camping depending on your interests and experience. Sasa trail in Mountain Elgon national park is the shortest one and at the same time the steepest one to the peak as it could only take 4 days for an experienced hiker to reach the peak through it.
There are local people at the national park headquarters always waiting to work as porters. This is a government initiative through different park administrations to involve the local people into conservation and promotion of tourism. These porters are always there to help tourists in carrying luggage, cook food, pull and push you as you climb up the mountain.
Bird watching tours.
Mountain Elgon national Park boosts of over 300 species of birds and this activity is mainly done along the Kapkwai forest exploration centre trail and also along the waterfalls of Cheptui river.
The Lammergeyer eagle is the most sought after bird by most birders bird watching Uganda Safaris. The other bird species include Jackson’s francolin, Hunter’s Cisticola, Moorland Francolin among others.
Local Coffee Tours.
Mountain Elgon region has proved to have the best coffee experience in Uganda mainly because of its rich and fertile volcanic soils that favour its growth. While on this activity, you will be through the process of coffee production – how it is planted, harvested, dried and brewed, until it’s ready in the cup for drinking. Endeavour to support these local communities by buying some of their coffee and other products as it is a way of giving back to them.
The type of coffee in this region is mainly Arabica Coffee which is locally referred to as Bugishu coffee or Sipi coffee.
Abseiling.
This is mainly for the adventure seekers looking to discover new things on the other side of the world. Tourists do abseil or rappel from top of a 100m above sea level Sipi falls up to below where the water pours.
The bubbling sound of the waterfalls and panoramic views of the area will give you a forever lifetime memory. This activity is currently costing 50$ and handled by professionally trained adventure guide who have all the necessary equipment in place.
Cave Tours
There are a number of caves on Mountain Elgon and the most visited ones are the Khauka cave in Wanale on the slopes of mountain Elgon in Mbale district. These caves originally acted as shelter to the local people and their livestock especially on bad weather days like heavy rainfall.
Guided Nature walks
There are so many hiking trails on both outside and inside the mountain Elgon national park. While outside the park, local guides especially in the Sipi region do walks through the local communities to high up on top of the Sipi falls and while there you will be presented to stunning views of the dry Karamoja plains in the north east.
Whereas inside the park, you can as well take on a guided nature walk to the Mudange cliffs also known as the walls of death while spotting different monkey species especially the Black and white Colobus monkeys.
The Kapchorwa Runners Experience.
Kapchorwa region and Mountain Elgon region at large has become so famous to the world for breeding first class and elite athletes. You could opt to join the runners of that region early in the morning as they go about their training as well as this experience could be tailored to meet your interests though this will come at an extra cost.
Mountain Biking.
There is a boom in the biking and cycling experiences in this region, especially around Kapchorwa and the entire Elgon region and this activity will keep your adventure spirit high if you are a bike lover. The activity starts from Sipi town and goes up to Chema hill in Kapchorwa and enroute you will have a chance of visiting the falls plus scenic views of the dry Karamoja plains.
Accommodation options in Mount. Elgon National Park.
The Accommodation facilities around Mountain Elgon national park apply to all kinds of tourists whether upmarket, midrange or budget, there is something that matches your interests and budget.
All the lodges in this region have got beautiful scenic views of Mountain Elgon itself, clean and tidy rooms as well as views of the Sipi falls and Karamoja plains especially for those around Sipi falls region.
Up market/Luxury Accommodations
Mountain Elgon Hotel
Mbale resort Hotel
Sipi River lodge
Midrange/Standard Lodges
Wash and wills Country Home Mbale
Rafiki Sipi Lodge
Budget Lodges
Lacam Sipi Lodge
Mountain Elgon View Hotel
