Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano that first erupted more than 24 million years ago. With the largest surface area of any extinct volcano in the world. Activities are nature walks, mountain hiking etc.
Mount Elgon is a massive solitary volcanic mountain on the border of eastern Uganda and western Kenya. Its vast form, eighty kilometres in diameter, rises 3070m above the surrounding plains, providing welcome relief in more than one sense of the word. Its mountainous terrain introduces variety to an otherwise monotonous regional landscape. Its cool heights offer respite for humans from the hot plains below and its higher altitudes provide a refuge for flora and fauna.
Uganda’s Mountain Gorilla
Mount Elgon has been a regional landmark for a long time: this extinct volcano is one of Uganda’s oldest physical features, first erupting around 20 million years ago. It was once Africa’s highest mountain, towering above Kilimanjaro’s 5895m. Millennia of erosion have reduced its height to 4321m, relegating it to 4th highest peak in East Africa (and 7th on the continent). However, its 4000km2 surface area is still the largest base of any volcanic mountain worldwide.
Mount Elgon is a hugely important water catchment. Its forests receive up to 3000mm of rain each year, which they store and release to support flora, fauna and more than a million Ugandans. Elgon’s water is equally important to many Kenyans, for Mount Elgon is bisected by the international boundary. The mountain’s natural vegetation, and its role <3,S a giant biological sponge, is protected by a Mount Elgon National Park on both sides of the border. The Ugandan park, which was upgraded from a forest reserve in 1993, covers 1,11 Okm2. Though its Kenyan counterpart measures just 170km2, it is adjoined by a forest reserve and national reserve. These parks and reserves in both countries combine to form a transboundary conservation area covering 2,229km2, which have been declared Man & Biosphere Reserves under UNESCO.
Mount Elgon receives far fewer visitors than other higher and more famous mountains in East Africa. However as routes on Mts. Kilimanjaro and Kenya become increasingly crowded and degraded, hikers are appreciating Mount Elgon’s deserted moorlands. A climb on Mount Elgon is to explore a magnificent and uncluttered montane wilderness without the summit-oriented approach common to higher regional mountains. Indeed the ultimate goal on reaching the top of Mount Elgon is not the final ascent to the 4321 m Wagagai peak, but the descent into the vast 40km2 caldera.
HOW TO GET THERE
Mount Elgon National Park lies 235km east of Kampala. A tarmac road runs through Jinja to Mbale town at the western base of Mount Elgon, before climbing to Kapchorwa on the mountain’s north-western flank. Murram roads lead off the MbaleKapchorwa road to reach the various trailheads.
A Mount Elgon National Park Information Office is located on Plot 19/21 Masaba Road, near the Mount Elgon Hotel, in Mbale town. This is open from 08.00-13.:00 and 14,00-17,00, Mon-Fri and 09.00-13.00 on Saturdays. Bookings for park activities can be made at this office or at Uganda Wildlife Authority HO in Kampala.
SAFARI ACCOMMODATION IN MT ELGON
The national park provides dormitory accommodation and self contained wooden cottages at the Forest Exploration Centre at Kapkwai. Meals are available on request. The park also has self catering guesthouses at Kapkwata and Suam. Outside the park, simple accommodation is available at Kapchorwa and Budadiri. A range of accommodation is found around the scenic Sipi Falls, and at the foot of the mountain in Mbale. The trails on the mountain have nine campsites, placed at strategic intervals. These are located near water sources, and tent pads and latrines are provided, but supplies and camping equipment must be carried.
HIKING TIPS FOR MOUNTAIN ELGON CLIMBERS
Hikers should familiarise themselves with the syrr and treatment of hypothermia and the various fc altitude sickness. Be aware that above 2500m, sickness can affect anyone, irrespective of age, fitr previous mountain experience. The risk is reduced t ascents to enable acclimatisation, while the most e treatment is immediate withdrawal to a lower altitude. Affected hikers should not descend into the caldera, wh must climb upwards to leave.
ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN MOUNT ELGON
Flora and fauna
The ascent of Mount Elgon passes through a series of roughly concentric vegetation zones. The lower slopes of the mountain are intensively farmed up to the park boundary. The first zone of natural vegetation is montane forest which runs from the park boundary up to 2500m. This is followed by bamboo and low canopy forest (2400 – 3000m), then high montane heath (3000 – 3500m) which includes the giant heather (Phillipea excelsia)growing up to 6m tall. Above 3500m, cold temperatures and fierce winds force the heather to give way to open moorland.
Finally, above 3800m, dramatic Afroalpine vegetation is found among tussock grasslands and Carex bogs. This rare and spectacular vegetation type is restricted to the upper reaches of East Africa’s highest mountains and includes the giant groundsel (Senecio elgonensis) and the endemic Lobelia elgonensis.
Mount Elgon supports a variety of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, Defassa’s waterbuck, oribi, bushbuck, leopard and spotted hyena. However, as is usual in forest environments, most of these species are rarely seen. The most commonly seen creatures are black and white colobus, blue monkey, duiker and tree squirrel.
The mountain is home to 296 birds including 40 restricted range species. Birds whose Ugandan range is limited to Mount Elgon include Jackson’s francolin, moustached green tinkerbird, and black collared apalis, the Ugandan ranges of which are limited to Mount Elgon. The bronze-naped pigeon, Hartlaub’s turaco and tacazze sunbird are limited to Mount Elgon and a few other mountains in eastern Uganda. Mount Elgon is also one of the few places in Uganda where the endangered Lammergeyer can be seen, soaring above the caldera and Suam gorge.
Local People
Mount Elgon is home to three tribes, the Bagisu, the Sabiny and the Ndorobo. The Bagisu and Sabiny are subsistence farmers and conduct circumcision ceremonies every other year to initiate young men (and in the Sabiny’s case, girls) into adulthood. Traditionally, the Bagisu, also known as the BaMasaba, consider Mount Elgon to be the embodiment of their founding father Masaba, and you may hear the mountain called by this name. Local people have long depended on forest produce and have made agreements with the park to continue to harvest resources such as bamboo poles and bamboo shoots (a delicious local delicacy).
Climbing the mountain
Mount Elgon National Park is a roadless wilderne, park can only be explored on foot, on routes tha from day walks to ex:tended hikes over several ( reach the upper mountain. You can also make your transboundary adventure, ascending the Ugandan slop descending on the Kenyan side (or vice versa). This n prior arrangement to meet with Kenya Wildlife Services rangers at a crossover point at the hot springs in the ca
A trained ranger guide is required on all treks. Local make your hike easier, each carrying up to 18kg of sUPf addition to collecting water, cooking and preparing the (
The best times to climb Mount Elgon are during the dry s’ of June-August and December-March. No technical c equipment or skills are required to reach the main peal caldera and the peaks are the main destinations, whilE the way, a choice of trails passes interesting and uniqL and fauna, waterfalls, lakes, caves, gorges and hot spril
Rain gear and both cool and warm clothing are requirec area is subject to sudden weather changes. You should take a camera, binoculars, hat, torch, wildlife guideboo insect repellant.
Sasa Trail (4 days)
This route, which starts from Budadiri town, is the closest to Mbale and is the most easily accessible. It also provides the most direct route to the peaks, albeit with a stiff climb of over 1 ,600m on the first day. It crosses the park’s largest area of bamboo forest and passes the lovely Jackson’s Pool on the way to Wagagai Peak.
Sipi trail (7 days)
This route starts at the Forest Exploration Centre at Kapkwai, a few kilometres upstream from the Sipi Falls which lie just outside the park. The trail visits the spectacular Tatum cave hidden within extensive forest.
The Exploration Centre is also the starting point for day hikes which penetrate the dense montane forest to visit Chebonet Falls, Kapkwai cave and a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the plains 1 200m below.
Piswa trail (7 days)
This trail, which 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 wildlife 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.
It is possible to vary your hike by ascending from one trailhead and descending to another, for example:
Ascending Sasa Trail and descending via Sipi Trail (5 days). Ascending Sasa Trail and descending via Piswa Trail (6 days). Ascending Sipi Trail and descending via Piswa Trail (7 days).
Wanale Ridge
The national park extends out from the main massif of Mount Elgon along the 25km-long Wanale Ridge. A massive huge of lava, this culminates in the dramatic cliffs that overlook Mbale town. A trail explores the national park’s regenerating forests on the ridge. Look for petrified wood in the Khaura Cave and enjoy splendid views over the plains of eastern Uganda.