Mountain Elgon National Park – The World’s most enormous Caldera
Mountain Elgon National Park is in the Mountain Elgon region (eastern parts of Uganda). However, due to massive erosion, it is believed to be one of the extinct volcanoes. It was once the highest mountain in Africa, higher than Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the fourth-tallest mountain in East Africa and the eighth-tallest in Africa. It is home to the Bagisu and Sabiny tribes, natives of Mount Elgon.
The mountain is shared between Kenya and Uganda, found in the eastern region of Uganda, after Jinja. The mountain offers the base hot plain for the flora and fauna and it is also considered a UNESCO site. The park is home to over 300 bird species and the higher parts of the mountain are protected by both the park authorities of Kenya and Uganda. The fauna in this park is poorly recorded and known then which makes it have low fauna recorded.
What to see in Mountain Elgon National Park
While on a Uganda safari to Mountain Elgon National Park, there are a lot of attractions to see while on your safari, and these include;
Mountain Elgon
Mount Elgon is one of the attractions on your Uganda safari. It is 4000 meters above sea level and involves a hike to the summit. As you hike this mountain, you will experience a change in the vegetation cover.
Sipi falls
Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls located within Mount Elgon. The waterfalls start at different points, from Sipi 1 to Sipi 3. Each fall has its unique activities and views.
Other activities at the Sipi Falls include Abseiling, nature walking, birding, and many others.
Bagisu culture
The Bagisu culture is one of the native tribes of the Elgon region. They are referred to as the Abamasaba for their interesting activities, such as male circumcision, coffee tours, and many others. The Bagisu are also famous for their Akadodi dance and interesting foods.
Wildlife
Mount Elgon has some unknown and unrecorded wildlife. On a Uganda safari, travelers can see forest elephants, colobus monkeys, and other small primates while hiking to Mount Elgon.
Bird species
Mountain Elgon National Park is one of the birders’ havens since it is home to over 300 bird species. These species offer travelers on a Uganda safari an opportunity to enjoy their birding experience. These bird species include lemon dove, Hartlaub’s turaco, Dusky turtle dove, Mountain yellow welder, and many others.
What to do on a Uganda safari in the Mount Elgon National Park
On your Uganda safari, Mountain Elgon National Park has a variety of activities that a traveler can do, and these activities include;
Hiking
Hiking is the major and essential activity in this park. It takes about three days to reach the summit of Wagagai and then return. The hike is tough and requires one to be fit enough for it.
Birding
The park is home to over 300 bird species, including some endangered ones. This offers travelers on a Uganda safari an opportunity to enjoy their birding tour through the forests around and in the park. The bird species include lemon dove, Hartlaub’s Turaco, dusky turtle dove, and many others.
Abseiling
The abseiling activity is done on Sipi Falls 3 in the ranges of Mount Elgon. Here, travelers sail on ropes to the ground where the Sipi Falls powers its water. This is one of the adventure activities that one usually enjoys on a visit to Elgon National Park.
Cultural encounters
While on a Uganda safari, cultural encounters take place in Mount Elgon National Park. The Bagisu is one of the prominent tribes in the region, and a traveler on a Uganda safari will encounter the community in different activities like the Akadodi dance, coffee experience, and many others.
Accommodation facilities in Mountain Elgon National Park
There are no accommodation facilities in Mountain Elgon National Park, but if a traveler chooses to camp within the park, there are designated camping areas. For other accommodations, travelers are advised to visit Mbale City for comfortable accommodations. Also, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has tents and sleeping bags for hire, so travelers are advised to plan accordingly.
What is the best time to visit Mount Elgon National Park
The park is open to travelers at any time of the year. It can also be visited on public holidays and weekends. On the other hand, most of the safari activities in this park are easily done during the dry season. The dry seasons run from June to September and December to February. Could you talk to a travel specialist here for more advice?
Would you be able to get to the park?
On how to get to the Mountain Elgon National Park, you will either choose air or road transport. While using road transport, you will be transferred from Kampala to Mbale via the Jinja-Mbale highway, which will last 4 hours on the road. On arrival, you will check into your accommodation in Mbale city. By air, you will have a domestic flight from Entebbe or Kajansi Airstrip to Mbale Airstrip or Soroti Airstrip, and on arrival, you will be transferred by road to the park.
