MOUNT ELGON

MOUNT ELGON, Up to 1,110 sq. km. of the park are in Uganda. The part that is in Kenya is about 169 square kilometers. km. Uganda’s part was gazetted in 1992, and Kenya’s part was gazetted in 1968. The name of Mount Elgon National Park comes from the name of an extinct shield volcano that is in the park.

Its shape changed about 24 million years ago. Mountain Elgon used to be Africa’s tallest peak, standing taller than Kilimanjaro, which is now 5,895 meters high. It is thought that natural processes like erosion have lowered its height to 4,321 meters above sea level, which makes it the eighth-highest peak in Africa and the fourth-highest peak in East Africa. 

The Crater Calder on Mount Elgon has collapsed over more than 50 km², making it the world’s biggest and most famous natural crater. It is surrounded by many rocky peaks. The Bagisu and the Sabiny are the main groups that live on Mt. Elgon’s slopes and nearby areas. The Ndorobos, who are on the outside, are forced to live deep in the Benet forest. The Bagisu, who are also called the Ba Masaba, see Mount Elgon as a representation of their founder, Masaba, and call it that.

If you hike to Mt. Elgon’s abandoned moorlands, you’ll find a beautiful, pristine wilderness that doesn’t have the summit-focused approach that most mountains have. The ultimate goal of reaching the summit of Mt. Elgon isn’t just the final climb to the 4321m Wagagai peak; it’s also the descent into the huge 40km caldera. The protected area around it, called Mt. Elgon National Park, has many things to see, including plants and animals.

A Natural Wonder of Mount Elgon

There are 4,321 meters (14,177 feet) of elevation on Mount Elgon, which makes it the 17th highest hill in Africa. Its highest point is called “Wagagai.” This huge shield volcano is 3,070 meters (10,070 feet) above the lands around it and has a diameter of 80 kilometers (50 miles). Its sheer size provides a cool escape from the hot plains below and a safe home for many kinds of plants and animals.

Geologists think Mount Elgon is at least 24 million years old, which makes it the oldest dead volcano in East Africa. The exact date of its first volcanic activity is still unknown. The Maasai name for the mountain, Elgonyi, gives it a mysterious air that makes us even more interested in this natural wonder.

The shapes and heights of Mt. Elgon

The beauty of Mount Elgon can be seen in its stunning natural features. There are five main peaks on the mountain, and each one adds its own beauty to the scene. At 4,321 meters, Wagagai is the tallest mountain in Uganda and is happy to be the country’s highest point. On the border between Kenya and Uganda, Sudek is very high—4,302 meters. Koitobos, a flat-topped basalt tower in Kenya, is also very high—4,222 meters, and Mubiyi is also very high—4,211 meters. Finally, tourists are enchanted by Masaba, which is also in Uganda and is 4,161 meters above sea level.

One interesting thing about Mount Elgon is its caldera, which is one of the world’s biggest still-completed calderas. This fallen crater covers more than 40 square kilometers and shows how the mountain was formed by a volcano. As we go further, we come across the warm springs by the Suam River. These are a natural wonder that adds to the mountain’s appeal. Its height of 2,563 meters (8,409 feet) makes the Endebess Bluff a beautiful vantage place from which to view the vast landscape around us.

We also need to find the Ngwarisha, Makingeny, Chepnyalil, and Kitum caves. Kitum Cave is especially interesting. It is over 60 meters (200 feet) wide and goes 200 meters (660 feet) into the rock. Wild elephants often visit the cave and use their tusks to scratch the walls and reveal the salt. It’s a spectacular sight that shows how well wildlife and nature can live together.

Things to do in Mount Elgon National Park

There are cliffs, caves, waterfalls, canyons, calderas, hot springs, and mountain peaks in Mountain Elgon National Park, among other things. The most famous spots are four huge caves that can be explored. At night, elephants and buffalo often come to connect the natural swords on the walls that curve around them. The tumor cave is 200 meters deep into Mountain Elgon’s side and has granite walls that hang over the sides.

Wildlife

Small antelopes, duikers, and forest monkeys like the black and white colobus, blue monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, which were thought to be dead in the area, live in Mount Elgon National Park. Elephants, buffalo, leopards, and hyenas are some of the other animals that live on the lower sides of the mountain.

There are also more than 200 kinds of birds in the park. Because they only live in a small area, the endangered la Magaya and the eastern bronze nerve can eject their young. In 2005, a rare dragonfly named Wangari Mathai was found here. It was named after Wangari Mathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize. It is said that Mountain Elgon is home to half of Uganda’s butterfly types, as well as other animals and plants.

Birds

About 13 kilometers from Sipi town is the Forest Exploration Center at Kapkwai. It is both a school or learning center and the starting point for hikers taking the Sipi trail to the caldera. Three circles, each 3 to 7 kilometers long, go through the nearby forest that is growing back. Along these circuits, visitors can see caves, waterfalls, cliffs, viewpoints, and birds and primates. Some of the birds that can be seen here are the African Hill Babbler, the Alpine Chat, the Black-throated Wattle-eye, the Thick-billed Honey guide, the Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, the Mountain Yellow Warbler, and the Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon.

Mountain ranges and caves

One of the world’s biggest calderas, which is 40 km long and 8 km wide, is surrounded by high points that make up Mount Elgon’s highest peaks. The tallest peak is Wagagi (4,321m), then Sudek (4,303m), Koitobos (4,222m), and Mubiyi (4,210m).

When the magma was drained from the cave, the Caldera formed. When it could no longer hold up the volcano cone on top of it, it fell apart into a depression-like shape. In the eastern part of the caldera, at the start of the deep Suam Gorge, there are hot springs. The water in the crater was so heavy that it carved two stream beds out of the northwest walls made of weak volcanic ash and agglomerate. This built Simu Gorge.

Moving lava made the caves on the sides of Mt. Elgon many years ago, when the mountain was still being formed. Most people can get to the Kapkwai cave and the Khauka cave on Wanale Ridge. People on hikes used the caves as cover, and now people camp there.

There is water fall

On the northern and western parts of Mt. Elgon, mountain rivers flow over huge cliffs to make some of the most beautiful waterfalls. The three beautiful falls that are called the Sipi Falls are among these. The trails to all of these are fun and can be found just outside the park. First is Ngasire, which is 87 meters high and goes over a 100-meter cliff. Next is Simba, which is 69 meters high. In Wanale, Bulago, Chebonet, and Sisyi, there are more waterfalls.

Meaningful to Culture and Tribes

Traditional rituals, music, dance, and getting to know the people who live there are all ways to experience the region’s rich culture. Visitors are welcome because they are friendly and open. They let you see how they live and learn from their old customs. The Bamasaba are the Bagisu tribe’s most important religious figure.

They believe that Mount Elgon is the spirit and presence of their ancestor Masaba. Because of this holy link, they lovingly call the mountain by the name of their greatly admired founding father. Mountain Elgon is more than just a placemark for the Bagisu people. It is a spiritual symbol, a live reminder of their cultural heritage, and a sign of how important their ancestors were.

Wanale and the Ridges

Nkokenjeru Ridge is a separate forest finger that sticks out from the main peak of Mount Elgon National Park. It is 2,347 meters above sea level and covers a 25-kilometer-long tongue of lava that flowed out of the volcano’s side when the cone fell and blocked the main vent.

The Nkokenjeru Ridge ends at the beautiful Wanale Cliffs, which rise high above Mbale Town and are home to the Nabuyonga and Namatyo Waterfalls, which are only there during certain times of the year. At the western end of the ridge, there is a trail that goes to Khauka Cave, which has petrified wood inside. For people who want to paraglide over Mbale, this hill also has places to land.

For people who want to paraglide over Mbale, this hill also has places to land. The Nabuyonga Trail is a 5-kilometer loop that has places to see birds, animals, and plants. From certain places of view, you can see Mbale, Lakes Kyoga, Bisina, and Salisbara, as well as the rough mountains of the Karamoja region. You can see Wagagai peak and even parts of western Kenya on a clear day. According to local legend, if you throw a stone into the Nabuyonga stream, it will rain before you leave.

Mountain climbing in Mount Elgon National Park and Trails and Things to Do

Mountains can be climbed and nature walks and hikes can be very difficult in Mountain Elgon National Park. You can see the mountain’s top, a huge caldera, caves, gorges, cliffs, hot springs, plateaus, and waterfalls if you climb Mountain Elgon. There are many kinds of big mammals, small mammals, and primates that live in Mountain Elgon National Park. You can see them while you are mountain climbing. Most tourists who want to climb Mount Elgon do so along the Sasa Trail, which goes to the top of Wagagai through the small town of Budadiri in Sironko Valley.

The Sasa Trail

To get to Waggagai Peak, which is 4321 meters high, faster, you can take the Sasa Trail, which is the hardest trail. This trail can be reached in four days. They were the first people to use this road. The Sasa Trail starts in Budadiri town, which is 1,250 meters above sea level. Day 1 starts with a tough climb up to about 1,650 meters through the forest until you reach the Mudangi Cliffs, which you can reach with a ladder given by UWA. Going through a bamboo bush is the next step. On Day 2, you walk steadily until you reach Wagagai on Day 3.

The Piswa Trail

Not as hard on the legs as the Sasa Trail. This is longer; it takes 6 days and 48 km. At a height of 2,180m, this trail leads to Kapkwata town. People love the Piswa trail because it has great views of Uganda’s Karamoja Plains, and you can stay an extra day to check out the hot springs in the mountains.

The Sipi Trail

The Sipi Trail is 56 km long and is the biggest trail in Mount Elgon National Park. It takes about 7 days to hike the whole trail. The Kapkwai Exploration Center is where the Sipi Trail begins. It is right next to the beautiful Sipi Falls. You will be able to see the, which is famous for its old cave drawings, if you take the Sipi Trail.

Hikes During the Day

The Ugandan government and the Forest Exploration Center opened three short trails for people who have never hiked before or don’t have time to explore Mount Elgon’s longer paths. You can finish these tracks in one day. They are between 3 and 7 km long. People who come to the area to see the Sipi Falls or as a break on their way to Karamoja and Kidepo Valley National Park will love these packages.

Mountain bike riding

In 2012, the Uganda Wildlife Authority brought mountain biking to Mountain Elgon National Park for the first time. It takes two to three hours each time and works best on cool days. It starts at the Sipi trading center and finishes at Kapchorwa’s Chema Hill.

Seeing birds

Mountain Elgon National Park is a great place to watch birds because you can see many kinds that can only be found here. There are more than 200 bird species in the park. You can see them from the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Center, Cheptui Falls, and other places. A lot of different birds live in this area, such as the Chubb’s Cisticola, the African Blue Flycatcher, the Tacazze Sunbird, the Black Kite, the African Goshawk, the Baglafecht Weaver, and many more.

Climbing up rocks

At Sipi Falls, which is outside of Mountain Elgon National Park, you can go rock climbing. People who want to rock climb need to be in good shape, and it can be hard at times. The Sipi Falls Tourist Guide Association has climbing gear that people can use to go up 20 to 40 meters.

What to bring on a trip to climb Mount Elgon

Not sure what to bring or wear for a comfortable trip up Mount Elgon? Though Mount Elgon isn’t hard to climb, what people wear on their hikes can sometimes make the experience terrible. Here is a list of things you should not forget to pack.

Gloves for the garden
Jacket for rain
Sunglasses
Pants that don’t leak
Boots for light hiking
A warm bag to sleep in

Places to stay in Mount Elgon National Park

The Sipi River Lodge
The slopes of Mount Elgon are home to our favorite high-end hotel. The views from this resort of Mt. Elgon National Park are stunning. Sipi has four Waterfall Cottages for travelers who want a quiet place to stay. The bandas are a beautiful mix of traditional native building methods. The round walls and thatched roofs of the bandas make them look like they belong in their settings.

The Kapkwai Lodge
This cheap hotel is right at the entrance to Mount Elgon Nature Reserve and was originally built as a home for students who wanted to visit the lush forest. You can choose from four cabins and four stationed tents for your stay. The lodging is nice and useful. If you’ve worked out all day, you can refuel at the on-site cafe, which serves food and drinks.

Kapkwai Lodge is 1785 feet above sea level on a rock. From there, you can see Sipi Falls and the Hills in all their glory. Here at our Lodge, we have Bandas, Single, Twin, and Triple Rooms, Group Cottages, and Basic Rooms. Each room at Rafiki Lodge Sipi was carefully designed to have the best view of Sipi Falls and the Valley. This is so that our guests can be as comfortable as possible and have a one-of-a-kind experience while they are here.

The best way to get to Mount Elgon National Park

By Road

Mount Elgon National Park is about 250 km away by car from Kampala. Mountain Elgon National Park is a five- to six-hour drive from Kampala. Along the way, you’ll stop in Jinja, Mbale, and Kapchorwa.

There is a lot of dust on the road from Mbale to the park, but don’t worry—the views of Mountain Elgon and the park’s surroundings are beautiful.

By Air

To get to Mountain Elgon National Park, you can also take a direct flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajansi Airfield to Kisumu Airport. These flights are run by Aerolink Uganda Limited or Bar Aviation. There is a one-hour and fifteen-minute flight that needs to be booked before the day of the trip. The park is a 50-minute drive from Kisumu Airport. It is also possible to fly from Kenya to Kisumu airport.