Brief Facts about Mount Elgon National Park Uganda

Location: Uganda and Kenya
Location: Mbale
Coordinates: 01°08′00″N 34°35′00″E
Area: 1,279 km² (494 sq mi) (total)
Established: Kenya: 1968, Uganda: 1992
Governing body: Kenya Wildlife Service, Uganda Wildlife Authority

What to see at Mount Elgon National Park Uganda

The historic caves like Kitum, chepnyal, mackingeny where mammals visit to lick salt at night, the exceptional waterfalls like Sipi waterfalls and hot springs that bubble to 48⁰ C combined will give spectacular view spots of the terrain as you go higher on your mountain climbing safari in Uganda.

Birds too find home in the series of rugged peaks, counting to more than 144 species including the Beautiful Jackson’s Francolin, Hartlaub’s turaco, the eastern bronze -naped pigeon, Tucazze sunbird, guinea fowls, sunbirds and endangered Lammergeier. A passionate birder who loves height would not miss having a glimpse of the beautiful birds on a birding safari in Uganda with these lower peaks.

The cool admired peaks have varied wildlife including the black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey, elephants, buffaloes, small antelopes and duiker. The other mammals include bushbuck, civet, wildcat, elusive leopard. The wildlife on the mountain is in various points of the mountain.

The vegetation and scenery are very magnificent with slopes that support a rich variety of four distinct vegetation types ranging from tropical montane forest on the lower slopes, mixed bamboo belt, heath and dense shrubs to high open spectacular moorland studded with the rare endemic plant species like the giant lobelia and groundsel plants. The scenery is filled with peaks, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, mesas, gorges, calderas, hot springs and cliffs that give accompaniment to your Uganda mountain hiking safari. The towering peaks of the Elgon mountain cool height offer cessation for the people from the hot plains below that watch in admiration of the peaks above them.

What to do at Mount Elgon National Park Uganda | Mount Elgon National Park Activities

Mountain Climbing Destination; for you planning mountain hiking safaris and tours in Uganda because of the more favorable peaks with a milder climate, less congestion and lower elevation. The full trekking circuit to the peaks takes different trails including;

Combined Trail Hiking; is a perfect option for a memorable Mountain hiking safari in Uganda allowing you to traverse the caldera glimpsing at wildlife, birds and hot springs ascending from through Sipi-piswa-sasa trail and descending from the Sasa-Sipi trail. Transboundary hiking can be organized for you as you ascend by a Uganda trail and descend in Kenya for a Kenya mountain climbing safari there.

The Piswa Trail is long but most gentle trail that takes 7 days covering 49km. The trail starts from “Kapkwata” on the northside of the mountain traversing the soft wood plantation to the podocarps forest. This trail gives you an opportunity to sight wildlife and have a spectacular view of the Karamoja plains, the Nandi and Kapeguria hills in Kenya as you go past the hot springs.

Tours to the Caves Allow Camping; along the trekking circuit for instance near Budadiri, Sasa river and Mude cave camps though camping is not allowed in the crater. This therefore means that you can come prepared for a Uganda camping safari on top of all the thrilling activities.

The Sasa Trail; round trip is the shortest but toughest route taking 4 days. The toughest climb of 1,600 is completed on the first day though the whole trek takes 1,250m.

The Sipi Trail; round trip is 56km, takes 4-6days and the longest starting from Kapkwai forest exploration center at 2,050m through the north western mountain side. The trail starts calmly as you hike to the caldera through tutum cave but becomes tougher on day three from Kajeri camp. This long trail is what any enthusiast hiker should take on their Uganda mountaineering safari on Mountain Elgon.

The Sasa Trail; round trip is the shortest but toughest route taking 4 days. The toughest climb of 1,600 is completed on the first day though the whole trek takes 1,250m.

The Sipi Trail; round trip is 56km, takes 4-6days and the longest starting from Kapkwai forest exploration center at 2,050m through the north western mountain side. The trail starts calmly as you hike to the caldera through tutum cave but becomes tougher on day three from Kajeri camp. This long trail is what any enthusiast hiker should take on their Uganda mountaineering safari on Mountain Elgon.

Nyero Rock Painting; presented by ancient cave dwellers who lived here earlier on. The rock paintings have remained in good shape after surviving thousands of years. As you continue with your tour to Kidepo Valley National Park for a wildlife encounter, Sipi falls is a great point to first encounter with the cascading waters from the cliffs above that will welcome you from a distance with its pulsating sound.

How to get to Mount Elgon National Park Uganda | Mount Elgon Map

Use the Directions button to get there. – “Mount Elogon National Park”

Getting to Mount Elgon National Park Uganda

1. By Road distances: There various routes to your mountain climbing destination in mount Elgon National Park; From Entebbe International airport, the park is 301km via Kampala taking about 6h 48min. From Kampala, the park is 262km east via Iganga- Mbale road taking about 5h 38min and the fastest road with tarmac to Chebonet and dirt roads lead you to the park. From Mbale town, the park is 30.9km via Namusi-Budadiri about 1h 8min on a marram road. The park is 41.6km via Mbale – Moroto road about 47min on a tarmac road. To Sipi falls, its 9.1km taking 12min or 8.0km for 14min on dirt marram roads.
2. By air: Taking a flight for mountaineering safaris and tours in Uganda’s mount Elgon would not be the best option but if you opt for it, Flights from Entebbe International airport to Soroti airport can be organized by Aerolink Uganda, Fly Uganda or Eagle air then a road drive to the national park taking 124.4km for 1h 53min via Mbale-Soroti road.

Best Uganda Safari time to Mount Elgon National Park

The best time of the year like for any rewarding mountain hiking safari is during the dry months of June to August and December to March when the rains are low (though could be experienced) and trails are more passable.

Hey there, scared of very high steep peaks: Mount Elgon means safaris beyond the crowds with a lower altitude. Plan a mountain hiking safari to Uganda and enjoy the experience, don’t miss because you’re not good at very high peaks.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Where to stay in Mount Elgon National Park Uganda – Mount Elgon National Park Accommodation

Lodging in Mbale and the near by places caters for either luxury/upmarket, mid-range or budget tourists in their capacities on Uganda mountain climbing safaris and tours;

Luxury Safari Accommodation  is availed at Mbale resort hotel in Mbale, Mount Elgon Hotel &Spa in the suburbs of Mbale town, Crown suites Limited, Mbale travelers Inn.

Mid-Range Safari Accommodation is availed at Lucia Villas Mbale, Bekasa Hotel Mbale, Dream Palace.

Budget Safari Accommodation; hotels and lodges include Agabet Hotel in Mbale, Sunrise Inn and Les Jardin Hotel Ltd in Mbale.