Mt Elgon National Park
Highlights:
1. Hiking
2. Birding
3. Water falls
4. Caves, Gorges
5. Scenic views
Mt. Elgon is a lonely died out volcano and the fourth highest in Africa (Wagagai peak – 4321m). It is made up of the largest unbroken caldera which is a bowled crater occupying beyond 40 kms at the summit of the mountains bordered by a number of rugged peaks. Mt. Elgon National Park lies 256 kms north east of Kampala, neighboring by Kenya in eastern Uganda and occupies an area of 1155 sq. kms.
If provides a number of different of scenery, vegetation and cultures. Mountaineering skills are unnecessary. The whole region is outstanding 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 favorite destination.
The best moment of the year for mountaineering is for the period of the dry seasons from July – August and December – February. Nevertheless, there is another chance to trek in other unstated months.
part of the wildlife that can be seen 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 contains three principal beginning points for the trek. The hike can start from Budadiri (Sasa triailhead), Forest Exploration Centre – Kapkwai (Sipi trailhead) or Kapkwata (Piswa trailhead) which is famous for the very tall podocarpus forest. Sasa trail is quickly reached from Mbale and is the usually direct route to the peaks while Sipi trail provides interesting Tutum cave hidden within widespread forest.
Mt. Elgon (Uganda) also makes part of cross boarder tourism with Mt. Elgon National Park (Kenya). Hand over of tourists to either team (Uganda and Kenya) occurs at the hot springs.
Access:
By Road: Mt. Elgon National Park is accessible by road from Kampala through Tororo then to Mbale plus Soroti. The park headquarters are found 250 kms from Kampala.
By Air: There is a provision for a Chartered plane that can be booked for your flight to Soroti Airstrip from Entebbe afterwards by road to the park headquarters.
Accommodation:
when in the park, you can reside at any of the chosen campsites that include; Sasa River, Mude Cave, Hunters Cave, Piswa Patrol Hut and Kapkwata. In these places, there are essential facilities indicating that tourists are required to bring their own food, tents and beddings.
Tourists can stay at Lacam Lodge, the Forest Exploration centre in Kapkwai; and Mt. Elgon Hotel in Mbale. On the other hand, it should be noted that there are more other rationally priced hotels and lodges.