Mount Elgon National Park Uganda
A travel guide to exploring the world’s largest volcanoes and the national park surrounding it – Mount Elgon National Park Uganda.
A travel guide to Mount Elgon National Park Eastern Uganda to explore and experience one of Uganda’s ancient physical natural features. Mount Elgon National Park is one of the least visited Uganda safari parks and a trip to this slice of paradise with Premium Africa Safaris guarantees you authentic experiences.
Mount Elgon National Park is distinct from other Uganda safari parks. It is globally recognized as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.
Location
The park lies at the border between Uganda and Kenya, a few kilometers from Mbale city, Eastern Uganda. Mt. Elgon National Park is a unique park consisting of Mount Elgon – an extinct volcano and also one of the oldest natural features with record of eruption dating back to about 24 million years.
Size
Stretching up to about 1145sq.kms, Mount Elgon National Park gets its name from Mount Elgon. Mt. Elgon is Uganda’s second highest mountain range after the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon and rises at the height of 4321m. Unlike Mt. Rwenzori in Western Uganda – a block mountain, Mt. Elgon is completely a volcanic mountain. It is one of the remarkable hiking safari destinations in Africa.
Mt Elgon National Park is run by 2 East African states – Uganda and Kenya. Both sections were gazetted differently – on Ugandan side, this pristine park was established in 1992 and in Kenya in 1968. Mount Elgon National Park Eastern Uganda sits on land area of about 1145sq.kms.
Mount Elgon is believed to have exceeded Mount Kilimanjaro 5895m in height, but due to erosion, its height drastically reduced to 4321m. This makes it East Africa’s 4th highest peaks and in Africa, 8th highest. The peaks that constitute Mt. Elgon include Wagagai – the highest peak, Jackson’s summits (4165m), Mubiyi (4210m) and Kiongo peak (4303m). In surrounding area, there are numerous tribes including Bagisu/Bamasaba, Sabiny and they dominate the base area.
Mount Elgon alone occupies a vast surface area of about 4000sq.kms making it the world’s biggest volcanic base. Its diameter measures 80kms with altitudinal range of 3000m. Its altitude supports unique floral and faunal species.
Major Attractions in Mount Elgon National Park Eastern Uganda
Wildlife/Animals
Wildlife/mammals are some of the key attractions in Mount Elgon National Park. The animals likely to be spotted include the primates like blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys; a few elephants also live in its lush forests plus many montane moorland endemic species. Others include spotted hyenas, duikers, waterbucks, squirrels, etc.
Birds
Over 300 bird species live in Mt. Elgon National Park. The birds that make this Uganda safari park an important birding area include the endemic lammergeyer, black shouldered kit, eastern bronze napped pigeon, Jackson’s francolin, Weyns’s weavers, moorland francolin, Moustached green tinker bird, red throated wryneck, Alpine chat, white starred forest robin, black collared apalis, Marsh widow bird, hunter’s cisticola, tacazze sunbird etc.
Flora
Different plant life range at varying altitudes of Mount Elgon National Park. The park’s flora is characterized of montane to open moorland vegetation- these feature some patches of lobelia, shrubs.
Sipi Falls
Sipi Falls is a special attraction that tourists on Uganda safaris in Elgon National Park shouldn’t miss visiting. The spectacular Sipi Falls is a triple waterfall viewed in different altitudes with highest set at 100m, mid altitude 85m and low elevation at 75m. The triple falls formed at a point where Sipi river met at the edge of the volcanic rock at Tutum cave.
Top Activities in Mount Elgon National Park
Hiking/Mount climbing
Mountaineering or hiking is the main highlight of Mount Elgon National Park safaris in Uganda. 4 key hiking trails offer a lifetime opportunity to hikers to conquer the peaks of Mt. Elgon – these include Sipi trail, Sasa trail, Suam and Piswa trail. Each trail takes different days to complete hiking but range from 4 to 7 days depending on climbers’ physical fitness level.
Birding
Birding in Mount Elgon National Park Eastern Uganda is excellent and you look out for common and endemic species. The birds likely to be identified: Alpine chat, Moorland francolin, white starred forest robin, lammergeier, moustached green tinker bird, black shouldered kite, eastern bronze napped pigeon, red throated wryneck, black collared apalis, tacazze sunbird, hunter’s cisticola, weaver birds and more.
Other birds include MacKinnon’s fiscal, crowned hornbills, Chubb’s cisticola, baglafetch, chin-spot batis, baglafetch weaver, African goshawk, ross’s & Hartlaub turacos, Doherty’s and luhder’s bush shrike, white casqued, white chinned prinia.
Trout fishing
Trout fishing is done at Mt. Elgon and Sipi Falls unique areas where rainbow/mountain trout fish lives. For anglers on Uganda safaris, Mt. Elgon NP is right place to experience this amazing sport fishing activity.
Abseiling
Abseiling in Mount Elgon NP is a distinct adventure experience done only at Sipi Falls area. Strong rope-like devices are used, they are fastened around you and you abseil down a cliff.
Mountain biking
Mount Elgon is excellent for mountain biking. You can bike around the mountain and nearby Mbale and Kapchorwa all have excellent biking routes. There is Sipi trading center linking to a hill in Chema Kapchorwa.
Rock climbing
Rock climbing is another top adventure awaiting you on Uganda safaris in Mount Elgon National Park. This is perfectly carried out at Sipi Falls with most demanding spot at 35m.
When to visit – Mount Elgon National Park Uganda
Mount Elgon N/Park is accessible for Uganda safaris at any time of the year. But the dry season is the best to enjoy a thrilling mountaineering or hikes on its Mount Elgon. This is from June to September or travel any time from December to February.
Accommodation at Mount Elgon National Park Eastern Uganda
Combination of luxury, midrange/standard and budget accommodation all exist in and around Mount Elgon NP. The luxury options: Mbale Resort Hotel, Sipi River Lodge, Mount Elgon Hotel and midrange: Kayegi Hotel.
Getting to Mount Elgon National Park Uganda
Mt. Elgon NP is about 235kms on Kampala-Jinja route and you drive on tarmacked road to Mbale/Kapchorwa. Driving to this park can take from 4 to 5 hours connecting via Jinja – where you can even engage in adrenaline adventures at the Source of the Nile including kayaking, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, etc.