Home » Uganda Safari Attractions/Parks » Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National ParkSamuel Makanga2019-02-15T11:49:38+00:00
Mount Elgon National Park Uganda mountain climbing adventure safari tours
Mount Elgon National Park covers an area of over 1,121 Sq.km with the fourth tall mountain in East Africa which was the once the highest mountain in Africa far from Kilimanjaro but only to be reduced to 4,321m due to denudation forces. With the last eruption occurring 24 Million years ago, Mt. Elgon can be considered oldest and largest solitary volcano not only in Uganda but East Africa in general. It houses one of the world's intact largest caldera stretching to over 42Sq.km supported by 4,000 Sq. km base which is the largest volcanic base in the whole world.It was first gazetted as a Forest Reserve in 1929 and in 1940 the area became the Mt. Elgon Crown Forest while in 1951 it became a Central Forest Reserve. Due to encroachment by the Benet-Ndorobo people, the government alloweda 6000 hectare portion of the Reserve for settlement in 1983 though more 1500 hectares were settled illegally and in 1993 the area received a national park status thus can currently be incorporated in your itinerary while planning your Safari to Uganda.
Mt Elgon is a habitat of the Bagisu and the Sabiny, with the relegated Ndorobos manipulating their survival within the forest of Benet. The Bagisu, also known as the BaMasaba traditionally have a lot of cultural attachment to Mt. Elgon locally known as Mt. Masaba their founding father. Mount Elgon is a hot spot for nature devotees presenting backpackers with numerous birding trails. The extinct volcanic mountain is a significant watershed backing up a rich diverse of vegetation zones stretching from montane forest to high open moorland scattered with the sophisticated giant lobelia and groundsel plants. Considering its fauna and flora, the park also has a range of rewarding scenery including cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, mesas, calderas, hot springs, and the mountain peaks. The famous sites areas are vast caves where regular night invitees such as elephants and buffaloes approach to lick the natural salt found on the cave walls Caves like Kitum with overhanging crystalline walls, penetrating 200 m into the side of Mt. Elgon is rewarding sites on Uganda Safari.
Safari Activities
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Safari Attractions in Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon- volcanic mountain
This oldest solitary volcanic mountain in East Africa which is the fourth in East Africa and the eighth in Africa regardless of the past denudation effects making it an attraction to encounter while on Safari to Uganda. Its highest peaks are quite rewarding being formed by high points around a pointed edge enfolding one of the world's largest calderas, at 40km long and 8km wide. They include; 4,321m Wagagai, followed by Sudek (4,303m), Koitobos (4,222m) and Mubiyi (4,210m) respectively. The caldera is a clear justification of the extent of the volcanic forces that shaped a cross section of the geography of the East African region. In the eastern corner of the caldera, the deep Suam gorge contains hot springs while in the northwest, theabsolute weight of the water in the caldera cut through two stream beds out of the weak volcanic ash and agglomerate walls to form the present Simu Gorge. All this can hardly be found elsewhere except spending your appreciated time to undertake Safari in Uganda to enrich your geological horizon.
Vegetation Cover in Mount Elgon National Park
What an itch!
The vegetation on Mt. elgon is quite rewarding with various bands shaped by altitude and rainfall. The lower mountain slopes are roofed with dense forest and regenerating forests, hung with vine-like lianas, epiphytes and lichens while the floor is contains a variety of ferns, orchids and flowering plants. Common tree species encountered in the tropical montane forest (1,500-2,500m) are olive Oleahochstetteri, prunus africanas, Elgon teak, podocarpus, cedar, Cordia, Neoboutania, allophyllus tombea and Aningueriaadolfi-friedericii. Mixed bamboo at 2,500-3,000m depicts the change of zone where it amalgamates into open woodland conquered by hagenia abyssinica and African rosewood intermingled with hypericum. The heath zone (3,000-,3500m) is branded by giant heather interposed with grassy swards of blonde tussock grass dotted with pink and white everlasting flowers (ericriceum brownie and jonstonii) , flame-colored gladioli, blue delphiniums and red hot pokers. The moorland or Afro-alpine zone (3,500-4,321m) contains senecio elgonensis, Erica tree, giant lobelias with hairy leaves and plumes of tiny blue flowers, ladies' mantle tussocks (archimilla elgonesis) and pink and white everlasting flowers while the climax of the mountain is vegetated by rare Afro-montane species that include giant forms of lobelia and groundsel, which is quite interesting to an eco-traveler on this Uganda Safari.
Mount Elgon supports a variety of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, Defassa's waterbuck, oribi, bushbuck, leopard and spotted hyena. Though not frequently seen like in any other forest milieus, the most commonly visible species on this Uganda Safari are black and white colobus, blue monkey, duiker, and tree squirrel.
Birds in Mount Elgon National Park
The mountain is a home to 296 birds including 40 restricted range species that add spice to a birder's experience on Safari in Uganda. Birds whose Ugandan range is limited to mountain Elgon include Jackson's francolin, moustached green tinker bird and black collared apalis. The bronze-naped pigeon, Hartlaub's turaco and tacazze sunbird are limited to Mt. Elgon and a few other mountains in eastern Uganda. Mount Elgon is one of the few places in Uganda where the endangered Lammergeyer can be seen, soaring above the caldera and Suam gorge.
Local people in Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon is a habitat to three tribes, the Bagisu and the Sabiny are subsistence farmers and conduct circumcision ceremonies every other year to initiate young men and women into adult hood respectively. Traditionally, the Bagisu also acknowledged as the Bamasaba consider Mount Elgon to be the epitome of their founding father Masaba and refer the mountain by this name. Local people have long history of attachment to mountain and the forest as they used to gather bamboo poles for construction and bamboo shoots for food. Encounter the primitive Ndorobos with their traditional bull fighting experience. All this heritage is interesting to a traveler undertaking a Safari in Uganda.
Sipi Falls in Mount Elgon National Park
Though this is outside the park, it crowns the complete Elgon experience. The northern and western sides of Mount Elgon rise in a series of massive basalt cliffs for several kilometers, over various flowing rivers plummet as stunning waterfalls. The famous of the three waterfalls in the area is Sipi on the Kapchorwa road, just outside the park while the lowest of them is yet the most spectacular as it torrents over a 100m cliff. Simba falls, plummets 69m over the entrance to a cave presenting visitors an opportunity to view its back from the cave. The third waterfall, also known as Ngasire, streams over an 87m high ridge. It take a one hour drive to Sipi Falls from Mbale on a paved road while other nearby waterfalls can be reached at Sisiyi, Bulago, Chebonet and Wanale all offering spectacular views commemorating your Uganda Safari.
Safari Activities in Mount Elgon National Park
Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre and the Loop trails that push to Cheptui falls presents a unique opportunity for birders on this Uganda Safari to explore a variety of bird species including; Chubb's Cisticola, African Goshawk, African Blue Fly-catcher, Chinspot Batis, Mackinnon's Fiscal, Dohertys, Luhders Bush-shrikes,White-chinned Prinia, Baglafecht Weaver, Cinnamon Bee Eater, Moustached Tinker bird, Hartloub`s Turaco, Olive- and Bronze-naped pigeons,Tacazze Sunbird, Black Kite and Black-collared Apalis.
Encounter the life of the local people surrounding the park which include the Bagisu, the Ndorobos' and the Sabiny. Visit the interesting coffee plantations and participate in coffee production activities, taste the local Cuisine such as the Malewa (Bamboo shoots), experience the cultural dances, folks and ceremonies like the circumcision in order to be equipped with total African safari memories.
Routes from three main trailheads to the peaks and caldera are well set to provide the visitor on this Ugandan Safari-tour with ultimate safari memories;
The Sipi trail
which takes over seven days starts at Forest Exploration center -Kapkwai, a few kilometers upstream from Sipi falls which lie outside the park. It traverses via the spectacular Tatum cave hidden within extensive forest.
Sasa trail
which is the shortest taking four days. It starts from Budadiri town, close to Mbale providing a direct route to the peaks regardless of the stiff climb of over 1,600m on the first day. It crosses the park's largest area of Bamboo and passes the lovely Jackson's pool on the way to Wagagai peak.
Piswa trail which takes seven days to reach the peak Wagagai. It starts at Kapkwata, 30km beyond Kapchorwa is a longer route but starts at a higher altitude and follows a more gradual route to the caldera. It is notable for the podocarpus forest en route, a prime habitat for game viewing.
Suam trail. This long and little used trail starts at the village of Suam on the Kenyan border crossing. It follows the Suam River through the steep and spectacular Suam Gorge to the hot springs on the eastern side of the caldera.
Mountain biking Get the bikes from Sipi river lodge and cycle from Sipi trading center to Chema hill in Kapchorwa town. It's exciting as it favors the visitor to view waterfalls and karamoja plains.The activity can take 1.5 hours of your time on Uganda Safari.
Nature walks Spend the whole day of Uganda Safari hikingfrom Budadiri to the Mudange cliffs, branded the Walls of Death due to their horror configuration, at the boundary of the national park surrounded by tropical forests where blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus and baboons are common sights. While the indigenous guides at Sipi Falls can organize walks of a few hours up to a full day around local viewpoints. In Kapchorwa, a 20-minute Sunrise Trek at 6am from Noah's Ark Hotel connects with Tewei Hill to witness dawn disperse across the enormous Karamoja plains at the base of the mountain.
How to get to Mount Elgon National Park
The park is 235 km east of Kampala and takes 3 – 4 hours' drive by road to Mbale via Jinja and then the trail head at Budadiri is 20 kms from Mbale which can be accessed by public transport.
Uganda Safari Attractions, Places to Visit In Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park was established in 1952 and it is Uganda's largest national park. Located in the north west of Uganda at the tip of the western rift valley also known as the Albertine rift, Murchison Falls National Park is in a distance of 311km about 5 hours' surface drive from the city of Kampala. The national Park covers a surface landscape of 3,440km2 while the wider Murchison Conservation Area which embeds Karuma and Bugungu wildlife reserves combine to cover 5,308km2. . The Murchison Falls National Park is closer to Masindi town 85km about 2- 3 hours' of surface drive. The Park is bisected by the River Nile which is the longest river in the world as it makes its way from Lake Victoria to Mediterranean Sea leaving a natural wonder famously known as Murchison falls which is the most powerful waterfall in the whole world. The feature derives its nomenclature after Sir Roderick Murchison who was the president of the Royal geographical society at the time of its discovery by Sir Samuel Baker. This feature is among the hotspots in Murchison National Park thus should not be missed while on safari in Uganda as it squeezes its self to make the way through an 8m ravine before plummeting 43m Read More About Murchison Falls Park
First established as Kazinga National Park in 1952, Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in the west of Uganda nearing the Rwenzori Mountains with snowcapped peaks towering at 5,109m above sea level. The National Park of Queen Elizabeth covers a cross section of the western rift valley floor stretching for1, 978km2 land coverage. Queen Elizabeth National Park is currently the most visited park in Uganda and is listed as a world biosphere reserve. It has rich biodiversity concentration with 95 species of mammals, 600 species of birds which makes it the first in Uganda regarding the bird populations, ten (10) species of primate and 20 predator species. Queen Elizabeth is also a habitat for the tree climbing lions dwelling in its sector of Ishasha, the famous Kazinga channel stretching to 45km long connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, the amazing Kyambura gorge with counts of Chimpanzees not forgetting the range of explosion craters some of which are salty lakes while others contain sulphur. This conglomerate to make Queen Elizabeth National Park an ideal destination that can be encountered while on safari in Uganda. Read More About Queen Elizabeth Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Located in the south west of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park stretches for 321km2 at an altitude of 1,160 – 2,607 m above sea level. The area is among the East African areas with largest tract of Afromontane forest which existed since the pre historic era and endured through the last ice age forming the ground for great biodiversity concentration with highest number of trees in relation to other areas of its altitude stature. The park has enormous numbers of butterfly species some of which are endemic to the park and it is also holding great concentrations of mammal numbers. Containing about 400 out of 880 mountain gorillas that apparently thrive in the wilderness with none existing in captivity, the impenetrable forest of Bwindi holds the mantle as a great gorilla trekking safari destination. Surrounded by high population density with great agricultural attachment, it's very interesting that Bwindi still has great biodiversity concentration including; 163 species of trees, 104 species of fern alongside other taxa. 16 species of trees are restricted to the Uganda's south western region including Lavoa swynnertonii which is globally threatened. Read More About Bwindi Impenetrable Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Gazetted in 1991, the park covers an area of 33.7 Sq.km making it Uganda's smallest national park. It is a second refigium of the endangered mountain gorillas after Bwindi. It is also known for its golden monkey. The park has a strong cultural attachment to the pygmy community that inhabits the area. It has three conical features of extinct volcanoes which is part of the spectacular Virunga area. It shares boundaries with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mgahinga is located about 15 kilometers, by road, south of the town of Kisoro and approximately 55 kilometers, by road, west of Kabale, the largest city in the sub-region. The entire park is located in Bufumbira County, Kisoro District the extreme south western corner of Uganda thus among the secluded destinations that a traveler can visit while on Uganda Safari. Read More About Mgahinga Gorilla Park
Kibale National Park is found in Western Uganda sharing the districts of Kabarole and Kamwenge, approximately 320 kilometers, by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. Fort Portal in Kabarole District is the nearest large city to the national park. It covers an area of about 795Sq.km and it one of the last surviving tropical forests in Uganda with over 351 tree species some of which are 200 years old and over 55m tall, 70 mammal species, 13 primate species including chimpanzee and over 375 species of birds. The park was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993 to protect a large area of forest previously managed as a logged Forest Reserve. The park forms a continuous forest with Queen Elizabeth National Park creating a 180 km wildlife corridor. It is a significant eco-tourism and safari destination, well known for its populace of habituated chimpanzees and 12 other species of primates. It also acts as the location of the Makerere University Biological Field Station (MUBFS). The park is surrounded by two major tribes, the Batooro and Bakiga who rely on the park for food, fuel, and other resources with the assistance of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Read More About Kibale Forest Park
Traditionally, two brothers settled on the land that the park currently occupies. These were Mburo and Kigarama. One night, Kigarama dreamt of an area flooding and cautioned his intimate brother to relocate from the area. His brother (Mburo) disregarded the dream and refused to relocate to the adjacent hills like what Kigarama had done. Unfortunately, the dream came true and Mburo was drowned by mass floods the filled the valley to form the lake that was later named Lake Mburo while the adjacent hill was named Kigarama in reference to these two brothers. Before the gazettion of Lake Mburo as National park, the place acted as royal grazing area for king of Ankole vis-à-vis other Bahima pastoralists who refer the area to "Nshara – ensinungyi erikwera". Lake Mburo National Park is located in Kiruhura District in Western Uganda. The park is situated about 30 kilometers, by road, east of Mbarara, the largest city in the sub-region. This location is approximately 240 kilometers, by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. At 260 square kilometers, the park is the smallest of Uganda's Savannah national parks underlain by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more Read More About Lake Mburo National Park
The fabled mountains of the moon as described by Ptolemy in 150AD present the most exciting treasure that a visitor on a Uganda Safari would live to remember in his journey memoir. Gazetted as a national park in 1991 covering an area of about 996 Sq.km, received a designation status by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1994 because of its outstanding natural beauty with Margarita peak standing over 5,109m above sea level and without forgetting its coverage by snow throughout the year despite its closeness to the world latitude (Equator) makes it an attraction worth of encountering. Being a mountain range, it was once described as one of the challenging mountains to climb in the Africa travel magazine. The glaciers like Nyamwamba add spice to its scenic view and the park status assures the wild life of their safety making it their closest habitat. The park shelters 70 mammal species, 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics as well as some of the world's rarest vegetation that differ in its five zones including; montane forest zone, bamboo forest zone, tree heath vegetation zone and Afro-alpine moorland zone. Read More About Rwenzori National Park
Kidepo National Park is positioned in the north western part of Uganda in Kaboong district 220km north West of Moroto the biggest town in the sub region and 700 km from Kampala – the Uganda's capital city. Kidepo National Park was established in 1962 and it covers 1,442km2 of land surface providing habitat to 77 mammal species along with 475 bird species which makes the second in ranking after Queen Elizabeth National Park. Interestingly to note is that 60 of these bird species are endemic to Kidepo on Ugandan standards. Besides Birds, Kidepo also contain 5 primate species including the including the localized patas monkeys; 20 predator species which include the Kidepo endemics such as the aardwolf, bat eared fox, black-backed jackal, caracal and cheetah. Kidepo National Park has 12 species of Antelope which include the Kidepo endemics namely; lesser kudu, greater kudu, mountain reedbuck and Guenther's dik-dik. Other wildlife also exist in the park including; elephant, lions, buffaloes, lions, bush duiker, leopard among other wildlife. Formerly, the area where Kidepo National Park belonged to Dodoth pastoralists and indigenous Karimojong who practiced cultivation before the establishment of wildlife reserve in 1958 to ensure the protection of wild animals from poaching. The park is the most remote of all Uganda National Parks which Read More About Kidepo Valley Park
The park covers an area of over 1,121 Sq.km with the fourth tall mountain in East Africa which was the once the highest mountain in Africa far from Kilimanjaro but only to be reduced to 4,321m due to denudation forces. With the last eruption occurring 24 Million years ago, Mt. Elgon can be considered oldest and largest solitary volcano not only in Uganda but East Africa in general. It houses one of the world's intact largest caldera stretching to over 42Sq.km supported by 4,000 Sq. km base which is the largest volcanic base in the whole world.It was first gazetted as a Forest Reserve in 1929 and in 1940 the area became the Mt. Elgon Crown Forest while in 1951 it became a Central Forest Reserve. Due to encroachment by the Benet-Ndorobo people, the government alloweda 6000 hectare portion of the Reserve for settlement in 1983 though more 1500 hectares were settled illegally and in 1993 the area received a national park status thus can currently be incorporated in your itinerary while planning your Safari to Uganda. Read More About Mount Elgon Park
PLACES TO VISIT IN UGANDA
PLACES TO VISIT IN RWANDA
LONG UGANDA GORILLA TREKKING SAFARIS
5 Days Uganda Primate Safari
Where to Stay in Mount Elgon National Park
Suam Guest House
It is operated by Uganda Wildlife Authority and offers self-catering services.
Kapkwata Area.
Kapkwata Guest House. It has three main rooms with a sleeping capacity for seven people and offers kitchen services, but visitors have to bring their own food supplies or provide money to buy on arrival.
Kapkwai Area.
There is dormitory accommodation and self-contained wooden cottages at the Forest Exploration Center Kapkwai. Meals are available on request.
Kapchorwa Area.
Masha Hotel.
This has 23 rooms, located in a serene residential area 1 km from Kapchorwa town center in direction of Sipi. It has both Single and double rooms self-contained with TV though non self-contained rooms are also available. Room rates include breakfast. It also has a good restaurant and bar.
Noah's Ark Hotel.
This hotel has a range of guest rooms including single and double rooms both self-contained and non-self-contained, Executive rooms and Suites. It located close to the town center of Kapchorwa from the main road with secure parking, DSTV services and busy restaurant worth of stay while on Safaris in Uganda.
Savannah guest house.
It is located on 3-5 Kasumbein Road, London Bridge/Kapchorwa Suam Road, Kapchorwa providing overnight stay services including bar and restaurant.
Sipi falls area.
Sipi River Lodge. The lodge is located in the out skirts of Sipi trading center on the road inclining towards Kapchorwa. It provides a multiplicity of accommodation elegances with close proximity to the main house. The main house contains a dining room with a log fire, trendy bar, relaxed reading lounge and airy veranda while internet access is available to guests on prime Uganda Safari-tour with own laptops. Accommodation cottages include;
Kapsurur and Aniet Cottage. These are luxury cottages with private, spacious and elegant design with scenic views of the falls. They have en-suite bathroom with a double shower, king sized double bed, second twin bed, lounge and veranda.
Chepkui Cottage. The cottage contains en-suite flushing toilet and power shower, a master bedroom with giant double bed and a separate lounge with sofas, day bed and a bunk bed. It has a maximum capacity of five guests and is suitable for families, couples or large groups.
Others include; the Chepkui Cottage Annex, Piswa and Sasa Bandas, and Suam Bunkhouse.
Crow's nest campsite.
It is stunningly located at an elevation of 1770m on the gradients of Mount Elgon. It presents enormous sights of the three Sipi water falls. It has cottages, cabins and camping facilities. They also prepare meals for travelers on Safari in Uganda.
Sipi Falls Resort.
The resort provides overnight stay in 5 cozy thatched cottages with private facilities as well as gorgeous sights of the gorgeous Sipi Falls and the Karamajong plains. The resort has a modern restaurant and bar.
Moses' Campsite.
It is located near Sipi overlooking Sipi falls and it has descent accommodation in traditional African huts. It has no electricity, no bar and no meals provided. Food can be accessed in the nearby trading Centre.
Twilight Sipi Campsite.
It is located near the crow's nest providing accommodation in Dormitory with 12 beds, shared Banda, with 10 beds, twin Banda and self-contained Banda. It has restaurant and bar and the accommodation rates exclude breakfast.
Lacam Lodge.
Lacam is a local Sabiny word literally meaning a cliff thus showing that Lacam lodge is situated on a cliff which is 1 km from Sipi trading center towards Kapchorwa. The lodge has cottages that are crafted out of domestic timber and grass thatch from the adjacent plains. Each cottage has enough space with two double beds, large verandas and en-suite shower with toilet. The lodge also has nice bar and restaurant preparing up to four course meals. It also has self-contained Bandas, shared facility Bandas and Catering camping services Uganda Safaris undertakers.
Budadiri Area.
Rose's Last Chance.
Rose's Last Chance is located opposite Mount Elgon visitors' information Centre at 1250 meters ASL. It has seven single and double bedrooms plus a dormitory accommodation for up to 20 people. Self-tenting overnight stay is provided at a campsite equipped with showers and flush toilets. Hot water also available upon request while a variety of camping gear is accessible for hire. Restaurant and bar also available.
Mbale town.
Mbale is the largest town in the region thus contains a variety of accommodation ranging from luxury, mid-range and budget to the visiting travelers on Uganda Safari. Some of these include;
Mbale Resort Hotel.
It is a deluxe five star hotel located at the Centre of Mbale town containing 94 hotel rooms and suites. A cross section of the rooms have balconies overlooking the scenic environs of Wanale ridge on Mt. Elgon helping the traveler invigorate his Uganda Safari memories during the stay.
The resort has 3 restaurants and 2 bars of international standard. It also contains modern swimming pool, health club and fitness center.
Mount Elgon Hotel.
It is located in Mbale town opposite Mt Elgon National Park Offices offering superb traveler accommodation while on Uganda Safari that includes; standard rooms, superior rooms, executive rooms and junior suites with all rooms containing Satellite TV, free Wi-Fi access, and complimentary access to swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi. It has modern bar and restaurant.