Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park is an extinct volcano with the largest surface area in the world (50km by 80km) and a caldera with a diameter of about 8 km, the highest peak is wagagai at 4.321 meters.

The park lies at the eastern border of Uganda with Kenya, the National Park extends over 1,145km, the local people, Bagisu used to call it mount Masaba, while Elgon is named after the Anglicization of the Maasai El Kony.

The best time to visit Mount Elgon is May and September, November and December when the trails are less slippery for mountain climbing and the sun is out to reveal the real beauty of the Mountain and the surrounding areas.

Species

While ascending Mount Elgon there are four different Forest zones, the lush Montana Forest, the mixed Bamboo belt, the Heath and the spectacular Moorland Hyraces, which contains rare species like the giant Lobelia Elgonensis and clusters of Groundsels which are unique to Africa.

The park harbors at least 300 species of Birds are recorded, including Jackson’s Francolin, Guinea Fowls, Sunbirds and Turacos, the checklist for mammals includes at least 24 species, though not always visible (Elephants, Leopards, Buffaloes, Bush Pigs, Duikers, and Sitatunga).

 Activities and Attractions

They are several Trekking Trails around Mount Elgon, all open to Tourists and the public, as this is not a difficult Mountain to climb (Sasa, Sipi and Piswa trials). The full Trekking circuit to the peaks takes 5 to 6 days to complete and the Nature Walks allow viewing Flora and Fauna, enormous Caves, Gorges and Hot Springs.

One day hiking tours are possible from the Forest exploration center at Kapkway, Particularly fascinating is the hike from Sipi trading centre to the Sipi falls, a series of four pretty waterfalls culminating in a 99-meter drop at an altitude of 1.775 meters, along the river Sipi, which originates from Mount Elgon National Park.