Looking for a safari in the destination hosting the world’s largest intact caldera and the 4th highest mountain in East Africa? Mount Elgon National Park is the destination to explore. Being shared by Kenya and Uganda, Mount Elgon National Park is an enchanting destination that Naicef would like to fit into your East African tour.
Interesting facts and questions about Mount Elgon
Mount Elgon towers over the Kenyan Ugandan border standing at 4,321 meters high.
It was once the highest mountain in Africa but due to erosion, it reduced to 4,321 meters making it the 4th highest peak in East Africa and the 8th in Africa.
Mount Elgon has the biggest surface area of all extinct volcanoes on the planet.
Mount Elgon has 5 peaks including;
- Wagagai- 4,321 meters in Uganda
- Sudek- 4,302 meters on the Kenya/ Uganda border
- Koitobos- 4,222 meters, a flat-topped basalt in Kenya
- Mubiyi- 4,211 meters in Uganda
- Masaba- 4,161 meters in Uganda
Mount Elgon has features including the caldera- the largest calderas in the world, craters, warm springs, Endebess Bluff, Ngwarisha, Makingeny, Chepnyalil and Kitum caves.
According to volcanists, Mount Elgon is at least 24 million years old.
Is it worth visiting Mount Elgon National Park? Yes! The park offers intriguing scenes that is above your typical outing activity. Even after the beautiful exploration, Mount Elgon National Park remains an undiscovered jewel.
Is there signal in Mount Elgon? Within the park, there is no Wi-Fi and the cellular reception is very poor. Kitale can be an appetizer for strong signal before engaging with Mount Elgon National Park.
History of Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is a national park shared by Kenya and Uganda. The Kenyan part of the park was gazetted in 1968 and the Ugandan part in 1994. The Ugandan protectorate administration gazetted its side of Mount Elgon a forest reserve managed by the forestry department in 1929. In 1940, the area became Mount Elgon crown forest and in 1951 a central forest reserve.
In January 1994, the reserve was fully converted to a national park after degazetting an illegal part of the reserve that was handed to Benet-Ndorobo group.
Due to its biosphere conservation, Mount Elgon National Park is recognized as a UNESCO site. The governing body include Kenya Wildlife Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Location of Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is found at the border of Kenya and Uganda and lies 140 kilometers northeast of Lake Victoria. The park covers an area of 1,279 sq. km. The Kenyan part covers 169 sq. km and the Ugandan part 1,110 sq. km. The nearest city is Mbale in Uganda.
Accessibility of Mount Elgon National Park
By road, the park is 235 kilometers- a four-hour drive, from Kampala the capital city of Uganda.
Best time to visit Mount Elgon National Park
The climate is moist and at times dry. The dry seasons are in the months of June to August and from December to March.
Regardless of the season, it is advisable to carry a rain gear and warm clothing. The dry seasons reward with clear skies and drier trails, making exploration at Mount Elgon National Park splendid!
Mount Elgon National Park entrance fee
Below are the Mount Elgon National Park charges;
EAC Citizen
Adults- KES 400
Child- KES 250
Rest of Africa
Adults- USD 20
Child- USD 15
International visitors
Adult- USD 30
Child- USD 20
Attractions in Mount Elgon National Park
Elephant Salt Licks and caves in Mount Elgon National Park
Kitum caves drip with salt that attracts Buffaloes and ‘the troglodyte tuskers’, Elephants. The salt is a nutritional supplement to the animals. Making’eny caves have a beautiful waterfall over its mouth.
The caves found in the park are a result of ancient lava tubes.
Wildlife Mount Elgon National Park
The park is home to small antelopes like Oribis, Defassa waterbuck, Bushbuck, Duikers, Spotten hyenas, Rock and tree hyraxes, Aardvark, among many others that Naicef professional guide helps you spot. There are primates including black and white colobus, blue monkey, De Brazza’s monkey, vervet monkeys, tree squirrels and red-tailed monkeys.
Birdlife in Mount Elgon National Park
The park is home to over 296 bird species, where 40 are regarded as the restricted range species, limited to the Mount Elgon region. The rest, 56 and 87, are found in Afrotropical highland biome species. The birds include, Black shouldered kite, Jacksons Francolin, Black-collared aplis- they are only found in Mount Elgon National Park, Gypaetus barbatus among others. Tag your binoculars with you for bird viewing.
Mount Elgon National Park activities
Hiking
Hosting Mount Elgon National Park, Mount Elgon is desired by hikers from all over the world. Mount Elgon’s hiking trails are accessible all year round unlike other mountain trails in the region. Hiking in Mount Elgon National Park is possible because of three hiking trails.
Sipi Hiking Trail
This is the longest hiking trail, covering 56 kilometers and takes 4-6 days to finish. As the name suggests, sharing with another beautiful attraction and few kilometers from it, Sipi Falls, the trail begins from Kapkwai Forest Exploration Center. There is also another beautiful attraction, Tatum cave which is famous for its ancient cave paintings.
Piswa Hiking Trail
This trail covers 49 kilometers in 7 days. The trail begins at Kapkwata vilage and is famous for the breathtaking views of the Karamoja plains of Uganda, Kapenguria and Nandi hills of Kenya.
Ssasa Hiking Trail
This is the shortest and most challenging trail starting from Budadiri town, East of Uganda. The trail covers a four-day trip, and this trail is the original route to Wagagai, Mount Elgon’s highest peak- 4,321 meters.
Mountain Biking in Mount Elgon National Park
Started in 2012, with the opening of Mountain biking trails in 2012 and bike renting is done at Sipi River Lodge.
An amazing biking trail include a trail of 1 hour 30-minute running from Sipi Trading Center at an attitude of 1,775 meters to Cinema Hill in Kapchorwa.
Wildlife viewing and birdwatching in Mount Elgon National Park
Game drives are a great activity to encounter wildlife species and birdwatching to sight beautiful birdlife in the park. Excellent birding in the area is done around the Kapkwai forest center and Cheptui falls. Birding in the Park will give you an opportunity to ee the rare Lammergeyer bird that’s only found in the park.
Cultural interactions
The Sipi women has committed themselves to production of fine coffee from the farms on the slopes of Mount Elgon. Arabic coffee is favorable to be grown in the area because of the Alluvial soils of the mountain. The women are friendly and will show you the coffee making process. There is also another interesting culture, Sabiny and Masaba cultures and how they prepare African food.
Mount Elgon National Park accommodation
Where to stay in Mount Elgon National Park? There are lodges and camps to facilitate your stay and they include
- Suam guest house- managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority
- Kapkwata guest house
- Sipi River Lodge
- Masha hotel
- Sasa River Camp
- Kapkwai cottages
- Mount Elgon Hotel and Spa
- Mbale Resort Hotel
It is recommended to stay in Kitale since it is convenient and close to the park.
Book with Naicef for the best deals for accommodations in Mount Elgon National Park
For every Mount Elgon National Park tour you take with Naicef, you impact Sustainable tourism through the environment and the local community. Naicef focuses on raising responsible tourists.
For the best Mount Elgon National Park safaris, contact Naicef.com or write to my@naicef.com or +254799922277 Not ready now? opt for our Naicef savings plan to visit Mombasa later on.
