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Mount Elgon National Park is a recognized UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve on the border between Uganda and Kenya. The park takes its name after the vast volcano –Mount Elgon, an extinct shield volcano with the first eruption record dating back to 24 million years.
Mount Elgon is the park’s iconic attraction, and it is, without doubt, an adventure seekers’ bucket-list destination. Rising at 4321 meters, its highest peak –Wagagai, is ranked the 8th tallest in Africa. This volcano also features as the largest intact caldera in the world, measuring 40 sq. km, and also has numerous other peaks, including Sudek (4,303m), Koitobo (4,222m), and Mubiyi (4,210m).
Mount Elgon National Park in Uganda was created in 1992 and occupies over 1145 sq. km. The remaining portion lies on the Kenyan side. This park is located in Eastern Uganda at the border with Kenya, about a 5-6 hours drive from Kampala’s city centre.
Wildlife or animals in Mount Elgon National Park
Mt. Elgon National Park protects a significant population of wildlife species that often roam around its mountain slopes. These include buffaloes, spotted hyenas, red-tailed monkeys, bushbucks, elephants, waterbucks, oribis, and black and white colobus monkeys. The park also supports diverse floral species consisting of Alpine-moorland, bamboo forest, 400 species of plants, montane forest and others.
Bird species in Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park isn’t only a hikers/climbers’ paradise and a birder’s haven. The park shelters a total of about 300 bird species, and these include 40 Ugandan bird species. The possible birds to be spotted in this park include Doherty’s and Luhder’s bush shrikes, African goshawk, African blue fly-catchers, Chubb’s cisticolas, black-collared apalis, black and white casqued hornbills, black-shouldered kite, tacazze sunbird, lammergeyer, golden-winged sunbirds, Chin-spot batis, baglafetch weaver birds, Jackson’s francolins, eastern bronze napped pigeons, hartlaub’s turacos, white-chinned prinia, MacKinnon’s fiscals, and many more.
Mountain hiking: Mountain climbing is a thrilling adventure that awaits you on a Uganda tour to Mt. Elgon. Climbers get to conquer Mount Elgon's highest peak –Wagagai and other peaks. Mount Elgon sits at an altitude of 4321 meters and takes climbers about 4 to 6 days or more to complete their treks to the top and back. There are trails designated for hiking/climbing Mount Elgon, including the Pisa, Sipi and Sasa trails.
Abseiling: Abseiling is a unique experience you shouldn't miss on a visit to this park. It is an exciting adventure involving visitors descending a cliff with a firm rope-like device fastened around their harness. As you drop down 100 meters, you will view the distinct sceneries down the rock and ascend back to the cliff on the top.
Rock climbing: Rock climbing is among the numerous adventures that await you on a visit to Mount Elgon National Park for a holiday. The Sipi Falls area offers an excellent rock climbing experience, and if you are looking to conquer the toughest cliff, you must begin your adventure at an elevation of 35 meters. For climbers in need of easier climbs, there is 15 15-meter altitude.
Cave exploration: Cave exploration is done around the Elgon volcano slopes. They are distinct natural landforms formed after the lava flow occurred many years ago. These caves can be reached on a guided walking tour and take a few days to be explored. They include Kapkwai Cave, Mackingeny, Khauka, and Kitum Caves.
Community tours and Agro-tourism: Mount Elgon National Park sits in a region (Bugisu) endowed with fertile soils and is undoubtedly one of Uganda's leading coffee producers. The communities around the mountain slopes grow mainly Bugisu Arabica coffee, and during community tours, you can explore more than cultures and traditions. The locals take you through the Bugisu Arabica coffee growing stages from planting till it is ready for consumption.
A visit to Abuyudaya Jews shouldn't be missed on a trip to Elgon National Park. This group lives in the Sipi and Mount Elgon areas. These aren't the original Jews by birth but converts to the Jewish traditions.
Birding: If you love bird watching, you shouldn't miss visiting Mount Elgon National Park, home to almost 300 bird species. During your birding expedition, expect to spot bird species such as chin-spot batis, eastern bronze-napped pigeon, African blue flycatchers, African goshawk, black-shouldered kite, Doherty's & Luhder's shrikes, Ross's turacos, Chubb's cisticolas, tacazze, white-chinned prinia, Mackinnon's fiscal, black and white casqued hornbills.
Forest/nature walks: Explore the distinct part of Mount Elgon National Park on a guided nature walk along the slopes. The ideal hiking spots in this park include the Sipi Falls area and its volcano's slopes. You can undertake a full-day trek on the Budadiri-Mudange cliffs. The Sipi Falls hike is a must-do in this region, and there are three areas of interest: the 85-meter elevation, 100-meter elevation, and 65-meter elevation.
Tourism activities in Mount Elgon National Park can be done all year long. However, the dry season is ideal, especially for mountain climbing adventures. This occurs from June, July, to August and December, January to February. The rest of the months are wet months of the year, and hiking through Mount Elgon is a little challenging.
Mount Elgon National Park Lodges and Camps
The standard lodges in and around the park include Noah's Ark Hotel, Kayegi Hotel, Mbale Resort Hotel, Masha Hotel, Mount Elgon View Hotel, Sipi River Lodge, and Kapkwai Forest Cottages.
Getting to Mount Elgon National Park is more accessible by road, and driving hours to be spent range from 4 to 5. You begin your road trip from Kampala via Jinja to Mbale along the Kapchorwa route.
Location: Plot 124, Kikumbi
P.O Box 100667, Kampala
+256759033541
+447 572778124
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