Mount Elgon hiking safari in Uganda, hiking Mt Elgon is one of the highlights for those who would love to go on hiking adventures in Uganda, Mount Elgon national park is the among-est the parks in Uganda with the most primates, birds, and more importantly rare tree species that are not found anywhere in Africa, Mt Elgon hiking trails passes through caves, different viewpoints, bamboo forest, well-organized camping ground overlooking mountain slopes, and different waterfalls.
Hiking to Kapkwai via Sipi falls in Kapchorwa with Kisoro tours Uganda
Kapkwai is 13 km from Sipi falls, Kapkwai is also an educational center for schools, researchers and a starting point for hikers using the Sipi falls trail to the caldera. The three routes of about 4-7 km hike through the surrounding forest, some of the attractions along on the way include waterfalls, caves beautiful escarpments, and stopover at different viewpoints, Mt Elgon is also one of the bird watching destination in Uganda so expect see many bird species including Hartlaub’s Turaco, Lemon Dove, Dusky-Turtle Dove, African Hill Babbler, Alpine Chat, Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Mountain Yellow Warbler, and many others, during this hike you will also encounter different primates.
The 7 km hike trail to Kapkwai take about 3 to 4 hours hiking/climbing through tropical bamboo forest, there is another optional hike of 11 km to the Tutum Cave with overnight camping beside the cave. Also, a visit to Khauka Cave will take you about 3 to 4 hours hike, during Khauka Cave you have another option of hiking to the viewpoint through the Nabuyoga loop where you can clearly see Jackson’s Summit and Wagagai peak on a clear day.
Those with little time, Kisoro tours Uganda offers a short hike from Budadiri, our short-day hikes cover the Mudagi Cliffs, Sasa River Camp, and Drigana lower fall, if interested contact Kisoro tours Uganda for more information.
Dose hiking Mt Elgon requires any experience
Many of our clients/tourists find mount Elgon hiking as an exciting alternative to the more strenuous hike in East Africa, Mt Elgon hiking can be added to your safari in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, just contact us we will arrange it for you, Mt Elgon climbing has many attractions and also good climate, lower elevation and most important Mt Elgon hiking to peaks requires no special equipment and experience, in other words, anyone can hike mount Elgon as long as you have some level of fitness.
When is the best time to go for hiking safari in Mount Elgon
Mount Elgon can be easier accessed throughout the year, Mt Elgon is also one of Uganda’s less congested national park manning that you can book at any time and even last-minute booking is acceptable.
Mount Elgon Hiking distances from different trails
Hiking Mt Elgon via Sasa trail, this is the shortest route but also it is the toughest route to hike to the top of the peaks, it requires hiking through different local communities and local home-stay which also give you the opportunity to explore BaMasaba farming land, culture, and their settlements, Sasa trail round trip hike can take 4 days to hike starting from Budadiri town, on the first day you hike up to 1,600 meters before crossing to the largest bamboo forest, you will also pass Jackson’s Pool before reaching Wagagai Peak.
Hiking Mt Elgon via Sipi trail, this trail is 56 km for the round trip (hike) that begins at 2,050m at the Kapkwai tourist center. Sipi trail is the longest trail to the Elgon peaks, Sipi trail passes through the northwestern of this mountain and through Tutum Cave before reaching Wagagai Peak. Normally Sipi trail starts gently but as you continue walking it becomes tougher towards the third day.
Hiking Mt Elgon via Piswa trail, this trail is 49 km and it takes 7 days, Piswa trail is the longest but also easier to hike, it begins at Kapkwata trading center on the north part of the park, on this trail you will encounter different wildlife and most beautiful views of the Karamoja plains, Nandi and Kapeguria hills on Kenya side, on your way to the peaks on this Piswa trail you will have a chance to pass via hot springs.
Uganda and Kenya cross border Mt Elgon hiking safari
Kisoro tours Uganda also offers trans-boundary Mt Elgon cross border hike Uganda and Kenya, Mount Elgon national park is shared between Uganda and Kenya so a trans-boundary border hiking safari can be arranged, on this trans-boundary hiking tour, after ascending to the caldera with park rangers/guide of Uganda, you will cross the border to descend with a Kenya park rangers who will be waiting for you.
