Mt. Elgon National Park

The World's Largest Mountain Caldera

The 1,145 square km Mount Elgon National Park is located on the 4321m high Mount Elgon in Eastern Uganda. The border with Kenya bisects the mountain and national parks in both countries protect the flora and fauna on the higher contours. This trans-boundary conservation area has been declared a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve. A massive, extinct volcano, 80km in diameter, Mount Elgon once stood far higher than Kilimanjaro’s current 5,900m. It’s height was reduced when an unusually violent eruption emptied the volcano’s magma reservoir and the cone, no longer supported by underlying molten rock collapsed inwards.

The 1145 Square km Mount Elgon National Park protects the higher slopes of the 4321m Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano on the Uganda-Kenya border. Mount Elgon is one of East Africa’s oldest physical features, first erupting around 20 million years ago. The trek to the summit passes through the distinctive altitudinal vegetation zones restricted to Eastern Africa’s highest mountains. Mount Elgon’s cool slopes with it’s distinctive, waterfall-streaked cliffs are an ideal retreat, especially during the long drive through dusty Karamoja to Kidepo Valley National Park.

Even so, Mount Elgon still rises 3000m above the hot dusty plains of Karamoja to provide a cool respite for humans and a refuge for flora and fauna. The protected forest also represents an essential regional water catchment. Tourist activities on the mountain cater for various levels of ambition. Visitors can make extended hikes, requiring a minimum of 3 days to the summits take day/half day walks through forest on the lower edge of the park or simply relax in resorts overlooking delightful waterfalls just outside the park at Sipi.

The Peaks and The Caldera

Mount Elgon’s highest peaks are formed by high points around a jagged rim that forms the circumstances of a giant caldera which at 8km across is the world’s largest. The tallest peak Wagagai (4,521m) followed by Sudek (4,503m) Koitobos (4,222m) and Mubuyi (4,210m).

Nkokenjeru Ridge and Wanale Cliffs

A narrow corridor of parkland extends 25km west from the Mount Elgon massif towards Mbale town. This allows the Nkokenjeru Ridge, a 25km long tongue of lava that burst out of the side of the volcano after the cone had collapsed to block the main vent. A trail within this section of the park visits the Khaukha cave. The ridge ends at the lofty Wanale cliffs (outside the park) which tower 700m above Mbale. A road winding upwards from the town through a gap in the cliffs leads to some stunning viewpoints and sites with paragliding potential.

Vegetation

A highlight of any ascent of Mount Elgon is the traverse through the distinctive vegetation zones peculiar to East Africa’s highest mountains. The lowest of these zones between the park boundary and the 2500m contour is covered with dense montane forest and regenerating forests draped with lianas, epiphytes and lichens. This gives way to the bamboo forest (2500-3000m) followed by groves of giant heather (3000-3500m). Above 3500m, the mountain side opens into moorland dotted with outlandish forms of giant lobelias and groundsels.

Forest Walks

Routes over varying length explore the forest around the FEC passing caves, waterfalls and viewpoints and providing the opportunity to observe birds and primates.

Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre; The UWA-run Forest Exploration Center (FEC) lies on the park edge, 13 km beyond Sipi. It doubles as an education centre for local schools and researchers as well as a trailhead for the Sipi route to the peaks.

Mountain Climbing

A number of routes ascend to the 4321m Wagagai peak, the summit of Mount Elgon. The Sasa Trail ascends from the small town of Budadiri (1250m a.s.l) in the Sironko valley. The shortest and most direct option, it is possible to reach the summit and descend to Budadiri in 3 or (most comfortably) 4 days .It does however involve a stiff altitudinal gain of 1650m including an ascent of the Mudangi cliffs on day one.

The Sipi trail involves a longer but gentler ascent, starting 800 higher than Budadiri at the FEC (2050m). Other options are the Piswa and Suam routes on the northern side of the mountain and a proposed new route at Bushiyi.

Jackson's pool and Jackson's peak

Jackson’s pool stands at 4,050m beside the Sasa trail in the shadow of the 4,165m high Jackson’s peak a free-standing volcanic plug rising above moorland on the western flank of the mountain.

Wildlife

Large mammals including elephants, buffaloes live in the forests of Mount Elgon but are rarely seen along with the blue monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys. Mount Elgon National Park is home to over 300 species of birds, including the African goshawk, Chubb’s cisticola, white chinnedprinia, African blue flycatcher and the endangered lammergeyer.

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve;

Sipi Falls

The 7km section of the Sipi valley immediately outside the national park is improbably scenic as the river plunges over three sets of basaltic cliffs during it’s decent to the plains beneath. These have given rise to a cluster of tourist lodges and a variety of activities.

Mountain Biking

The Sipi area has much to offer mountain bikers, ranging from casual explorations of the many lovely trails in the vicinity to the challenging Elgon Enduro hosted by Sipi River Lodge.

Rock Climbing

Many of the basalt cliffs around Sipi have been bolted and can safely be climbed. Don’t miss the experience on your bucket list for your trip.

Coffee Tour

Uganda’s finest coffee is produced from Arabica beans grown on Mount Elgon. Take a guided tour of a coffee garden at Sipi to see how the beans are grown and ground.

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing for rainbow trout is possible on the Sipi River between the park boundary and the highest of the three waterfalls at Sipi.

The Local People

Mt. Elgon is home to two tribes, the Bagisu and the Sabiny. The Bagisu who live on the southern and western slopes of Mount Elgon are known for their colorful, biannual Imbalu ceremony in which boys are initiated in manhood through circumcision. The Bagisu also known as the Bamasaba consider Mount Elgon to be the embodiment of their founding father Masaba and refer to the mountain by this name.

When to Visit

Mount Elgon can be climbed all year around through the dry seasons between June-August and December-March are most enjoyable.

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The Peaks and The Caldera

Nkokenjeru Ridge and Wanale Cliffs

Vegetation

Forest Walks

Mountain Climbing

Jackson's pool and Jackson's peak

Wildlife

Sipi Falls

Mountain Biking

Rock Climbing

Coffee Tour

Fly Fishing

The Local People

When to Visit

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