Mount Elgon National Park in one of Uganda’s premier Safari destinations and one of the top places to enjoy amazing and unforgettable mountaineering experiences. While many travelers will opt to go to Rwenzori Mountains for mountain climbing, those that choose Mount Elgon are provided more private experiences and also, rich cultural experiences and jaw-dropping views are enjoyed during your visit. Birding, forest walks, mountain climbing and rock climbing are some of the exiting things you can expect to enjoy in this safari destination.
Location and Size of Mount Elgon National Park
This National Park, located in the Eastern part of Uganda sits along the border with Kenya and was named after the extinct 4321 meter-High Mountain. This Protected Area covers an area of 112100 hectares thus making it the fourth largest Park in the country (after Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo valley National Parks). Thanks to its 4000-square kilometer base, Mount Elgon is believed to have the largest volcanic base in the entire World.
Established in 1992, Mount Elgon National Park protected the slopes of one of the country’s Volcanoes and its unique biodiversity. This Mountain’s slopes are home to two amazing and culturally-rich tribes of Uganda known as the “Bamasaba” and the “Sabiny” who practice Public circumcision known as “Imbalu” to initiate boys into manhood/adulthood.
What to see in this remarkable Protected Area
Unique Vegetation
Thanks to the varying altitudes across the slopes of Mount Elgon, there are exceptional vegetation types in this National Park. There is a montane rainforest at the base, to the high open moorland marked by giant Lobelia and groundsel covering the high altitude areas. In this Park, you will sight a number of outstanding plant species that include giant podocarpus, podocarpus gracilior, Elgon olive trees, and pillarwood cassipourea, to mention but a few.
Animals
A number of exceptional mammal species occupy the lower slopes of Mount Elgon and they include squirrels, forest elephants, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Defassa waterbucks, forest buffaloes, duikers, Olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, duikers, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, to mention but a few.
Wide array of Bird species
Another highlight of exploring Mount Elgon National Park is its 300 unique bird species that include Jackson’s spurfowl, mountain yellow warblers, Northern anteater chat, White-browed Crombec, Lammergeyer, Moustached green Tinkerbird, Tacazze sunbirds, Little Rock thrush, eastern-bronze-naped pigeon, the red-throated wryneck, Jackson francolin, and Bronze-naped pigeons among others.
Adventures to enjoy when you visit Mount Elgon National Park
Mountain biking
If cycling is your kind of thing, then you will relish the mountain biking trails in this Park. But if you don’t, keep in mind that there is nothing more invigorating as a mountain biking tour along the slopes of Mount Elgon. These start from Sipi Trading Center then lead to different areas of the Mountain such as Kapchorwa Town. This Mountain biking tour lasts between one and two hours with magnificent views of the beautiful waterfalls, the sweeping Kapchorwa plains, coffee and banana plantations.
Mountain climbing
Typically, Mount Elgon climbing tours last hours to days taking travelers through the wildlife-filled slopes or providing an opportunity to take in breathtaking views of other natural features like waterfalls, hot springs, caves and others. They include Sipi, Piswa, and Sasa Trails, and each of them provides unique challenges as well as breathtaking views.
Guided Forest walks
If you wish to undertake guided forest walks through Mount Elgon National Park, then you should choose to explore the areas of Budadiri then go through magnificent attractions such as the Tewei Hill, Mudange cliffs (known as the walls of death) and many other unmissable areas that include Caves. This is also the best way to get closer to the animals and birds of Mount Elgon National Park.
Bird watching
Brace on your hiking boots, grab your binoculars, guidebook and camera as you prepare for birding tours in Mount Elgon National Park. Explore the secondary forest, Kapkwai Exploration Center and the dense shrub lands where you are likely to spot Cinnamon bee-eaters, the African blue flycatcher, Moustached Tinkerbird, Tacazze sunbirds, White-chinned Prinia, African Goshawk, black kites, Chinspot Batis, Black-collared Apalis, to mention but a few.
Village and Cultural tours
When you visit Mount Elgon National Park, make time for the village and cultural tours that involve walking through coffee estates, basket weaving demonstrations and farm visits, to mention but a few. Some of the popular community projects you can visit include the Sipi Widows Group where you will learn how to prepare Malewa (traditional cuisine), the Budadiri Community walks and many others.
Rock climbing
How does the idea of rock climbing along the slopes of Mount Elgon National Park sound? If this adventurous activity appeals to you, then be prepared to take on any of the 14 Trails that range between 15 and 35meters tall.
Accommodation options for Mount Elgon National Park visitors
During your Mount Elgon National Park tours, you can choose from the wide range of accommodation options that range from budget, midrange to Luxury. These include Mount Elgon Hotel and Spa, Kapkwata Guesthouse, Sipi Falls Resort, Mount Elgon View Hotel, Kayegi hotel, Twilight Campsite, Crow’s Nest Rest Camp, Rose’s Last Chance, Savannah Guesthouse, Noah’s Ark Hotel, Masha Hotel, Sasa River Camp, Mbale Resort Hotel, Suam Guesthouse, Lacam Lodge, Wash and Will’s Country Home and Sipi River Lodge, to mention but a few.
When to visit Mount Elgon National Park
One of the frequently asked questions among travelers planning to visit Mount Elgon National Park is related to the “best time to visit the Safari destination” but the good news is that there is actually no bad time to explore the Protected Area. The Park goes through different seasons which bring forth amazing attractions and experiences.
The dry months- January, February, June, July, August, September and December are the peak season when rains reduce, forest trails become drier and therefore offering perfect conditions for mountain climbing, biking, forest walks and birding tours.
The months are March, April, May, October and November are wet thus providing beautiful landscapes marked by lots of plants flowering thus stunning backdrop for photography. However, the increase in rains provide difficult conditions for mountain climbing, biking, and forest walks as trails become muddy and slippery.
Getting to Mount Elgon National Park
The commonest way to travel the 235 kilometers between Kampala and Mount Elgon National Park is by road via the Kampala-Jinja-Iganga-Mbale-Kapchorwa route which ushers travelers to different trailheads. However, a chartered flight from Entebbe to Soroti airstrip takes just 47 minutes, then you can connect to the National Park by road.