Mount Elgon National Park

Right on the border with Kenya in the East of Uganda lies Mount Elgon national park which includes Mount Elgon, which is an extinct volcano that first erupted more than 24 million years ago. Its highest peak is Wagagai (4321) is the 2nd highest peak in Uganda whereas Mount Elgon is the 4th Highest Mountain in East Africa.

The hot springs bubbling on the Caldera floor, the spectacular water falls, caves, hot springs and mountain vegetation make it a spectacular place for visiting. The terraced coffee plantations and bamboo forests just enhance the wonderful views. Because of its gradual slope a climb to the caldera or Crater rim (4321m) above sea level does not require mountaineering skills.


Tourism Activities:

Mountain trekking
Three main trailheads lead to the mountain’s peaks. The Budadiri (Sasa trailhead), forest exploration center-Kapkwai (Sipi trailhead) or Kapkwata (Piswa trailhead). Sasa trail is accessible from Mbale and is the most direct route to the peaks. It passes through the park’s largest area of bamboo forest.
Sipi trail leads to the Tutum cave hidden within extensive forest, while Piswa trail is famous for the Podpcarpus forest, a good place for wildlife viewing. The Sipi and Piswa trails start at much higher elevations with longer more gradual climbs to the peaks.

Visitors have options of returning using the same trails or descend via a different route. Each trail/route has camping stages with a nearby water source, as well as tent pads and latrines. A full trekking circuit to the peaks takes about 5 days to complete. A trained ranger guide is required on all excursions to show you the way and enrich your journey by interpreting the flora and fauna of the environment. Local porters carry up to 18 kgs of supplies

.Bird Watching:
Mount Elgon Park hosts a recorded 300 bird species of birds. The best birding is along the “Mountain Bamboo Trail, a 7km loop that traverses a variety of montane habitats and takes 5-6 hours to complete at birding pace. Expect to see birds such as Olive Pigeon, Slender –billed and mountain Greenbuls, Red-winged and montane oriole among others. High altitude heath and moorland above 3000m is home to a number of species such as Moorland francolin, Dusky turtle, Alpine chart and Hunters Cisticola among others.

Wildlife viewing
A number of primates inhabit the mountain; other animals include bushbuck, antelope, civet, and wildcat and the elusive leopard.
Bush duiker, hyena, jackal, rock hyrax, buffalo and elephant can be seen between the forest and the moorland.  Other animals include bushbuck, antelope, civet; wildcat and the elusive leopard roam below.

Visit to Sipi falls
Sipi Falls is arguably the most romantic waterfall in all of Uganda. The falls are about 55km north of Mbale, in the foothills of Mt Elgon and not far from the town of Kapchorwa.
Not only are the falls spectacular, so too are the views of Mt Elgon above them, and the wide plains of eastern and northern Uganda disappearing into the distance below. There are three levels of falls, but the two upper levels are fairly small compared with the main drop.

Accommodation:
 Sipi Falls Rest Camp: Charming Mid-range Camp overlooking Sipi waterfall with 5 thatched cottages.
Mbale Resort Hotel: Charming mid-range hotel in Mbale town. 12 rooms. Recently renovated.
Wash & Willis Country Home: Mid-range hotel in the country-side near Mbale. About 15 rooms.