Mt. Elgon is an extinct volcano that first erupted about 20 million years ago. With the largest surface area of any extinct volcano in the world at 3840km2, It’s has the largest intact Caldera in the world measuring 40km2. It was once Africa’s highest mountain but with erosion it was reduced to its height of 4321m making it 4th highest in East Africa with the second-highest peak in Uganda (Wagagi Peak – 4321 metres). It is also the largest solitary volcanic mountain in East Africa located in Eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya. Mt Elgon national park covers an area of 1145km2. Mt. Elgon contains crater covering over 40 kms at the top of the mountain, surrounded by a series of rugged peaks
The national park was declared a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve. Although mountain Elgon is shared by the two neighbouring countries (Uganda and Kenya), its highest peak the Wagagai peak found at 4321 meters is found on the Ugandan side of the mountain. There are three other outstanding peaks on this mountain: the Jackson’s summit at 4165 meter, Kiongo at 4303 meters and Mubiyi at 4210 meters. The main tourist attraction is mountain hiking to the caldera with the highest peak Wagagai at 4321m.
This mountain is an enormous watershed for a number of rivers such as River Sipi that forms the renowned spectacular Sipi falls, and its slopes support a rich diversity of altitudinal vegetation areas that range from the lush Montana, the mixed bamboo-belt forest to the intriguing high open moorland, dotted with the really uncommon worldly plant species such as the large lobelia plus the groundsel plants unusual to Africa. The thick shrubs and luminous wild eternal flowers are another major attraction to enjoy on your Mountain Elgon safari Uganda. Mount Elgon is one of the best safari destination in Uganda and home to Mount Elgon National park with conducive climate conditions.
Mt. Elgon National Park has a diversity of animal species which are mainly found in the lower slopes but rarely seen in the forest setting; Defassa waterbuck, Elephants, Oribi, Bushbucks, Buffaloes and Spotted Hyena, also black-and-white monkeys, Colobus monkeys.
The park as well is habitat to more than 296 bird species with a couple of them not being seen in any other part of the country whose range is specifically adapted to the montane moorlands of Mountain Elgon. Some of the bird species found in Mt. Elgon have not been recorded in any other park in Uganda; among these are: Weyn’s weaver, Jackson’s francolin, Marsh Widowbird, Black-shouldered Kite, Moorland Francolin, Alpine chat, Moustached green tinker bird, Tacazze sunbird, Red-throated wryneck as well as the black-collared apalis,
Climbing Mount Elgon takes between 4 to 6 days depending on the trail used. There are three main starting points that is Salsa Trail, Pisa Trail and Sipi trail. The Salsa Trail also known as the Buddukiro trailhead is a shorter trail but with very steep climbs. Though it is the most direct route takes only 4 days to reach the peak it goes through the thickest area of the bamboo forests in the park. The second trail is the Pisa trail also known as the Kapkwata trailhead. This trail starts from a forest in Kapkwata and passes through great Podocarpus forests. This is the longest taking 7 days but with few steep areas. The trail provides opportunities to view the parks animals and birdlife. The third trail is the Sipi Trail which begins from the Kapkwai forest exploration centre. It takes between 4 to 6 days to reach the peak through the Sipi trail. One can alternatively combine the different trails, ascending by Sipi trail and descending along Sasa trail allowing you to experience more features of the mountain.
