- UGANDA
- About Uganda
- UGANDA SAFARI TREKS
- Mount Rwenzori Trek Information
- Rwenzori Climbing Tour - 11 days
- Primate Safari Encounter - 9 days
- Rwenzori Short Hike - 8 days
- Primates Honeymoon Tour - 7 days
- Queen &Murchison Falls Safari - 6 days
- Bwindi &Queen Safari - 5 days
- Kidepo Valley Safari - 4 days
- Gorilla Tracking Bwindi - 3 days
- Kibale Trek Uganda - 3 days
- Queen Elizabeth Safari - 3 days
- Murchison Falls Safari - 3 days
- Mount Elgon Trek - 3 days
- Fishing Tours - 3 days
- Semliki Tour - 3 days
- Air Safaris Uganda - 3 days
- Water Rafting Uganda - 1 day
- Nile Jump Jinja - 1 day
- Wild Nile Jet - 1 day
- NATIONAL PARKS
- Rwenzori Mountains National Park
- Mt. Elgon National Park
- Kidepo Valley National Park
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Bwindi Forest National Park
- Kibale National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Semliki National Park
Skype :trek.east.africa
Mt Elgon National Park
Highlights:
- Hiking
- Birding
- Water falls
- Caves, Gorges
- Scenic views
Mt. Elgon is a solitary extinct volcano and the fourth highest in Africa (Wagagai peak – 4321m). It contains the largest intact caldera which is a collapsed crater covering over 40 kms at the top of the mountains surrounded by a series of rugged peaks. Mt. Elgon National Park lies 256 kms north east of Kampala, bordering with Kenya in eastern Uganda and covers an area of 1155 sq. kms.
If offers a diverse variety of scenery, vegetation and cultures. Mountaineering skills are not required. The whole region is excellent for hikers and climbers, with water falls, caves, rock painting, gorges and hot springs which bubble up at 48°C. Sipi Falls, at the foothills of the mountain is a favourite destination.
The best time of the year for hiking is during the dry seasons from July – August and December - February. However, it is still possible to trek in other un mentioned months.
Some of the wildlife that can be spotted includes the Antelope, Civet, Wildcat, jackal, Hyrax, Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), Duikers, Elephant (loxodanta Africana), Leopard (Panthera pardus), hyena, buffalo and 56 of the 87 Afro tropical highland biome species with notable ones that include Alpine chat, Moustached Green Tinker bird and Moorland Francolin.
Trekking:
Mt. Elgon has three main starting points for the trek. The hike can begin from Budadiri (Sasa triailhead), Forest Exploration Centre – Kapkwai (Sipi trailhead) or Kapkwata (Piswa trailhead) which is renown for the towering podocarpus forest. Sasa trail is easily accessible from Mbale and is the most direct route to the peaks while Sipi trail offers spectacular Tutum cave hidden within extensive forest.
Mt. Elgon (Uganda) also engages in cross boarder tourism with Mt. Elgon National Park (Kenya). Hand over of visitors to either team (Uganda and Kenya) takes place at the hot springs.
Access:
By Road: Mt. Elgon National Park is served by road from Kampala via Tororo through Mbale and Soroti. The park headquarters are 250 kms from Kampala.
By Air: Chartered planes can be booked for your flight to Soroti Airstrip from Entebbe and then by road to the park headquarters.
Accommodation:
While in the park you can stay at any of the designated campsites that include; Sasa River, Mude Cave, Hunters Cave, Piswa Patrol Hut and Kapkwata. These sites all have basic amenities implying that visitors need to carry their own food, tents and beddings.
Visitors can stay at Lacam Lodge, the Forest Exploration centre in Kapkwai; and Mt. Elgon Hotel in Mbale. However, it should be emphasized that there are several other reasonably priced hotels and lodges.
