Mountain Elgon national park safari tours with mountaineering & hiking

The world's largest volcanic base

Mountain Elgon national park safari

A mountain Elgon national park safari in the 1,145 square km game Park located on the 4,321m high mount Elgon slopes 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 mountain 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 collapse led to the formation of one of the world’s largest summit calderas of 40 square kilometers.

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.

Wildlife found in mount Elgon national park

Mountain Elgon national park is a great destination for keen birders, primate lovers and also has some minimal mammals. Birds in the park include; white chinned prinia, cinnamon chested bee-eater, Chubb’s cisticola, moorland francolin, Doherty’s shrikes, black-collared Apalis, mustached green tinkerbird, black and white casqued hornbill, Hartlaub’s turacos, Ross’s turacos, golden winged sunbirds, bearded vultures (Lammergeier), African blue flycatcher, Jackson’s Francolin, Tacazze sunbirds etc. Primate species in the national park include black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys and De Brazza’s monkeys. Mammals that are found in the park are the forest elephants, cape buffaloes, leopards, bushbucks, oribis, forest duikers, Defassa waterbucks, spotted hyenas etc.

Trekking & hiking on mountain Elgon

Mountain Elgon has 4 trekking trails that take you up to the summit and these are;

Sasa trail is the most direct route to the summit taking 3- 4 days though very steep.
Bushiyi trail that also takes 3-4 days is a more direct and less crowded route.
Sipi trail which takes 4- 5 days is highly scenic as it transitions through forests and lava-tubed caves.
Piswa trail which takes 4- 6 days is the longest and yet most gentle route.

Mountain Elgon national park safari packages

8 days mount Elgon hiking expedition safari

The 8 days mount Elgon hiking expedition is a focused trekking safari through mountain Elgon national park to the summit of the dormant volcano caldera. This safari is a slow travel experience with 4 days of active trekking at mtn. Elgon. Other days involve transfers, resting and flight/departure days. During the trek, you get to observe water falls, bamboo forests, hot springs, forest elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, leopards, primates, birding, camping, lava- tubed caves and numerous bird species.

10 days Elgon mountaineering & river Nile safari

10 days Elgon mountaineering and river Nile safari is an amazing Uganda Eastern circuit adventure with great nature sightings. The 10 days Elgon trek and Nile river safari offers 4 days at mtn. Elgon and 2 days at the Nile. Natural features on this safari include Sipi falls, mount caldera, source of the river Nile, water falls, lave-tubed caves etc. Activities to do during the 10 days mtn. Elgon and Nile river safari include birdwatching, water rafting, bungee jumping, boat cruises, quad biking, horse riding, Kayaking etc.

20 days' Primates-wildlife-hiking Uganda safari

A long slow travel 3 weeks/ 20 days primate trekking and wildlife Uganda safari showcases the Pearl of Africa's most unique sightings. Along the Sipi falls and mtn. Elgon N.P, Uganda has great unique sightings best found no where else on the continent for example ,mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, Africa's big 5 (lions, buffaloes, elephants, leopards, rhinos) shoebills & birding, golden monkeys, Murchison water falls, Kazinga channel, R. Nile & water sports, L. Victoria shores, mtn. Rwenzori snow peaks & ranges, the great rift valley etc.

16 day Elgon-gorilla- R. Nile & falls expedition

16 days' Uganda safari combines the best of the country's tourist attractions around the country. This experience along mount Elgon mountaineering engages you in many other activities for example mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkeys tracking, chimpanzee tracking, birdwatching, shoebill tracking, bungee jumping, quad biking, Murchison water falls hiking, white water rafting, hot springs & forest trekking, game drives, boot cruises, photography, cultural tours, nightlife and city tours. Uganda has unique wildlife species that endemic to the destination include mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, shoebills, Rothchild's giraffes, tree climbing lions etc.

21 days Elgon- Uganda wildlife & primates safari

The 3 weeks/ 21 days Uganda wildlife & primate trekking safari along the mtn. Elgon hiking are another slow travel and long Africa tourism experiences. Primate trekking on this expedition include mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkeys tracking, chimpanzee tracking, olive baboons, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys etc. During wildlife game drives expect Africa's big 5 (lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants), giraffes, hippos, zebras, antelopes, water bucks, warthogs, hartebeests etc. Other exciting excursions on this safari include; hiking to the top of the Murchison water falls, white water rafting, kayaking, boat cruises, city tours, bungee jumping etc.

23 days RWANDA-UGANDA-KENYA SAFARI

This 24 days East African safari starts from Rwanda through Uganda and finally to Kenya via mountain Elgon national park. The safari focuses on combined primate trekking and wildebeest migration experiences along Africa's big 5, river Nile and Kazinga channel boat cruises, walking safari to get to close encounters with amazing wild animals. Other unique activities to take on while on this safari are Diani sand beaches, water rafting, abseiling at Sipi falls, bungee jumping, kayaking, shoebill tracking etc. Majorly primate trekking covers chimpanzee tracking, mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking and thereafter go for wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara and finally tropical beach holidays.

Mountain Elgon

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 Caldera on Mountain Elgon safari

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 in diameter. 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.

Mountain Elgon vegetation zones

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.

Activities on Mountain Elgon national park safari

Forest walks; Routes over varying length explore the forest around the FEC visiting ancient lava-tubed caves (Kitum, Tutum, Chepnyali and Makingeny 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 center 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 (1,250m 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.

More wildlife & trekking activities at mtn. Elgon national park

Wildlife tours; 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; Another rich savannah grassland nestled at the foothills of the mountain Elgon ranges in Chepsikunya, eastern Uganda. The Reserve is rich with numerous bird species, cheetahs, ostriches, waterbucks, antelopes, buffaloes, elephants among others.
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 & Abseiling; 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.
Arabica coffee plantation tours; The world’s finest coffee is produced from Arabica beans grown on the slopes of Mount Elgon in Uganda. Take a guided tour of a coffee garden at Sipi to see how the beans are grown and ground.

Sipi Falls on Mount Elgon slopes

The Sipi falls tour is done in 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. This river runs over the cliffs forming 3 sets of water falls cascading up to 69m (middle falls/ Simba), 85m (Upper fall/ Ngasire) and the main Sipi fall at 100m. Adrenaline seekers enjoy abseiling and rock climbing done mainly adjacent the 100m water falls.

Bagisu; The Local People

Mtn. Elgon is home to two native groups, the Bagisu and the Sabiny. Bamasaba/ Bagisu who live on the southern and western slopes of Mount Elgon are known for their colorful, biannual Embalu ceremony in which boys are initiated in manhood through circumcision. 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.

Best time for mountain Elgon national park trekking safari

Mount Elgon national park trekking is done throughout the year. During dry seasons between June- August and December- February are most enjoyable as you will find all trails maneuverable in mountain Elgon national park to the water falls and best time to reach the Wagagai peak summits. The wet/ rainy seasons of September- November and March- May are muddy but are another great time to trek the mountain Elgon slopes when the water volumes of the falls are high and all the montane vegetation are lush green. The green vegetation also harbors numerous bird species during this time which doubles as a breeding season for birds making the green seasons recommendable for birders.

Where to stay while at Mountain Elgon national park

Rafiki lodge Sipi

Located at 1.33660° N, 34.36743° E in Sipi in the vicinity of the scenic Sipi falls on the slopes of mountain Elgon in Mbale, Rafiki safari lodge is 290km from Kampala on a 6 hours drive.

Rafiki safari lodge offer several accommodation options for example:

Single room at $100
Double/ Twin room at $160 pp
Triple room at $270 pp
Honeymoon room at $180 pp
Family cottage at $300 & extra bed at $60
Bandas $160 pp

From Rafiki lodge, you can embark on numerous activities such as;

Wildlife game tours
Bird watching
Hiking Elgon
Waterfalls & caves
Zip lining
Community tours

Mbale resort hotel

Mbale resort hotel nestled in the face of mountain Elgon at 1.07245° N, 34.19535° E and 243km from the capital Kampala on a 5 hours drive.

The Mbale resort hotel offers numerous accommodation options for example;

Double rooms at $105
Business suites at $165
Twin rooms at $118 and
Presidential suite

From Mbale resort, you can easily access the Elgon mountain massif for;

Hiking
Wildlife tours
Bird watching
Waterfalls & nature/ community walks
Coffee tours

CW Mbale eco-tourist lodge

Located at 1.05845° N, 34.22185° E, Cw Mbale lodge on the slopes of mountain Elgon and with some of the best sceneries for the stature of the Elgon slopes & peaks, Cw Mbale eco-tourist lodge is 247km from Kampala on a 5 hours drive.

CW eco-tourist lodge offers several accommodation options for example:

Single deluxe starting at $130
Double deluxe starting at $167
Family bandas starting at $463

During your stay at Cw Mbale lodge, you will enjoy:

Community walks
Coffee farms & tours
Hiking the Elgon
Waterfalls & nature walks
Bird watching

Mountain Elgon national park safari tours with mountaineering & hiking

The world's largest volcanic base