Mt Elgon (4321m) is the eighth highest mountain in Africa and the second largest freestanding volcanic base in the world rising more than 3000m above the surrounding plains and dominating the local landscape.  and it lead to the naming of the mountain to Mount Elgon National Park and many hiking routes begin or end in close proximity to us
This extinct volcano is one of Uganda’s oldest physical features, first erupting around 24 million years ago.

Mount Elgon National Park Facts

Mount Elgon national park is a national park bisected by the Kenya – Uganda border. Located just 140 kilometers northeast of Lake Victoria, the park was names after the extinct shield volcano – Mount Elgon. It occupies an area of approximately 1,279 square kilometers where Uganda covers a portion of 1,110 square kilometers and Kenya takes an area of 169 square kilometers. The parts of the mountain in the two countries were gazetted at different times – Kenya gazetted in 1968 and Uganda gazetted in 1992.

The mountain – Mount Elgon in which the park derives its name is a very important water catchment for the Nzoia River which flows to Lake Victoria and also for the Turkwel River which flows to Lake Turkana. Mount Elgon national park that protects the second highest peak in Uganda - Wagagai is also a home to various species including 144 bird species, mammals, invertebrates and others. Wagagai is the highest peak of mountain Elgon, the second highest in Uganda after Margherita and also the eighth highest on the African continent with a height of 4,321 meters. Though mostly visited by mountain hikers and adventure lovers, Mount Elgon national park also offers other activities like sport fishing, bird watching, nature walking and many others.

Activities in Mount Elgon national park

Explore Mount Elgon national park to the fullest by taking part in several park activities including;

Mountain climbing

This is the main activity done in Mount Elgon national park. The park encompasses the second highest mountain peak of Uganda – Wagagai after Margherita of Rwenzori. The hiking and exploration of the park to the summit of the mountain takes about 4-6 days and during the trailing process, fancy your eyes with numerous attractions like unique vegetation, valleys, lakes, rivers and others. The national park has got different hiking trails including Sasa trail that exposes the hikers to different cultural tribes like the Bamasaba locals. The other trails include the Sipi trail that starts at Kapkwai forest and Piswa trail which is the longest and hardest of all the trails of the mountains.

Nature walking

Stretch your nerves and muscles by taking part in the guided nature walks through the walking trails of the park. The walks in Mount Elgon national park cover about 7 kilometers through the bamboo trails to Kapkwai cave and then through the tropical forests. During the hikes, get great opportunities to spot different species in the forests including the bird species like Elgon olive and Elgon teak. You can as well visit different attractions and features with in the park including the Chebonet falls, Kapkwai caves, Khauka cave, Jackson’s summit and others.

Bird watching

Hosting over 144 bird species including the migratory and residential species, Mount Elgon National park is surely one of the best birding sites in the Republic of Uganda. Birding experience in the park is done around the Kapkwai forest exploration center, around the secondary forest and also in the thick shrubs along the routes to Chetui falls. Among the birds to be spotted include white chinned perinea, chin spot batis, Chubb’s cist cola, black kite, African goshawk, hart lob’s turaco, sunbird, black collared apalis, African blue flycatcher, moustached tinker bird and others. Remember to move with a pair of binoculars and also a note book where to write and note the exciting experiences and also the beautiful and colorful bird species.

Mountain biking

This is one of the rarely done activities during the Uganda safaris but it’s done in Mount Elgon national park. Mountain biking experience is carried out in the beautiful and improved trails that run from the Sipi trading center to Cheema hill in the town of Kapchorwa. During the biking, view different amazing features like waterfalls, rivers, valleys and the Karamoja plains for a period of 2 hours.

Cultural encounters and visits

Mount Elgon National park is surrounded by the local people who are known as the Sabiny. During the village walk and visits, you will get a chance to interact with these people and learn more about their lifestyles and cultures. Things to learn from these people include weaving; handcraft makings, cooking and others. Have a lifetime experience by enjoying the entertainment of these people like dancing, singing, folks and also stories.

Best time to visit Mount Elgon national park

Mount Elgon national park can be visited anytime throughout the year but the best time is during the dry months of June – August and December – March. This is so because the trails are always dry and un slippery thus making the hiking experience easier.

How to reach Mount Elgon national park

Reach the park from Kampala via Mbale – Kapchorwa road which is about 231 kilometers or take a charter flight from Entebbe international airport to Soroti airstrip.