Lying 235km north-east of Uganda’s capital city is Mount Elgon national park, pack your luggage and follow the tarmac road that runs through Jinja to Mbale town while viewing the amazing Madhavan sugarcane plantations along the roadside before climbing to Kapchorwa on the mountain’s north-western flank, this is a simple description that should make you captivated and know that your adventure starts right from the commencement of your trip.
Mountain Elgon is an extinct volcano that happens to be Uganda’s oldest physical features which first erupted approximately 24 million years ago. It at one point was Africa’s highest mountain, beyond Mount Kilimanjaro which has grabbed the place with roughly 5,895m. This reduction was caused by the persistent soil erosion which is estimated to have swept and left the mountain with a height of 4,321m, placing it to the 4th position in East Africa and the 8th in Africa. Never the less, this doesn’t relegate the experience visitors get upon reaching this paradise
Two main tribes are residing around this park, namely; The Sabiny and the Bagisus, not forgetting the isolated Ndorobo forced to live deep within the forest of Benet; Furthermore, The Bagisus, Claim, Mount Elgon to be the personification of their ancestral father Masaba and its naming is after his name
Interestingly, mountain Elgon has the largest Caldera in the world at 4,000km², the oldest and largest stand-alone volcanic mountain in East Africa, it is estimated at 80km in diameter and ascending more than 3000m above sea level, the mountains breezy heights offer a very relaxed atmosphere for all its inhabitants, the mountain’s cool heights offer breathing space for the hot plains and refuge for the flora and fauna
The park is home to over 300 bird species such as the rare endangered Lammergeyer enjoying the diverse vegetation and plants in the park. The main activity done is hiking to the final point which is the Wagagai peak an estimate of 4321m, an activity that exposes you to Elgon deserted moorland with the amazing wilderness.
Hiking Mount Elgon is best done during the dry seasons of June-August and December-March, No expert knowledge required but only courage, physical fitness, and a winning morale, you need to be in possession of good Hiking shoes, nice Camera, a hat, a support stick, bottle of water and many more in order to traverse the hill at ease, not only that, you should expect to view unique flora and fauna, waterfalls, lakes, caves, gorges, banana plantations, and hot springs while in your mission to the top.
However, there is also game viewing, birding, cultural encounters, sightseeing as you visit the sippi falls and Nyero Rock painting in Kumi.
Mt. Elgon National park has several Trailheads and Routes which lead the guest to encounter the wilderness that harbors uncountable number of wildlife species; these include Sasa trail which offers a more direct route to the mountain’s peak while catching the sights of the bamboo forest and the lovely Jackson’s Pool on the way to Wagagai Peak.
Sipi trail is another route that enables you to enjoy the Forest Exploration Centre at Kapkwai, a few kilometers upstream from the Sipi Falls which lies just outside the park; visitors in the park can trek to the wonderful Tatum cave hidden within this forest.
Finally, there’s the Suam trail which is long often used for crossing the border from Kenya, additionally; this trail follows the Suam River through the steep and eye-catching Suam Gorge to the hot spring on the eastern side of the caldera.
The national park spreads out from the main massif of Mount Elgon along the 25km-long Wanale Ridge, huge of lava, this turns into an interesting cliff that overlooks Mbale town.
Accommodation in Mount Elgon.
Several lodging facilities are readily available for tourists who visit this park, such as the; Lacam lodge opposite the fascinating Sippi falls with a magnificent view of the scenery, Sippi River resort which provides wonderful comfort to the visitors, Mbale Resort with supreme service alternative for visitors who prefer sleeping like royals among others, there is a camping option to those who love enjoying the sound of wilderness and many more.
Alternatively, the park offers dormitory accommodation and self-contained wooden cottages at the Forest Exploration Centre at Kapkwai.
Conclusively, Mountain Elgon national park should be your next destination for either study trip, hiking, birding or game viewing, it gates you covered.
