MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
Situated on the Kenyan-Ugandan border, Mount Elgon National Park is named after Mountain Elgon.
Mountain Elgon is an extinct volcano and one of Uganda’s oldest geological formations, with its first eruption happening about 24 million years ago. At one point in history, it was Africa’s tallest mountain, standing even higher than Kilimanjaro’s 5,895m. However, millions of years of erosion have slowly reduced its height to 4,321m, ranking it as the 4th highest peak in East Africa and the 8th highest on the African continent.
Mount Elgon is home to the Bagisu and Sabinyo tribes, while the Ndorobo community has historically lived in the forests of Benet. To the Bagisu (BaMasaba), the mountain signifies their ancestral father, Masaba and they continue to honour this legacy by referring to the mountain by his name.
The Bagisu circumcision ritual (Imbalu) is one of the region’s most significant cultural traditions, which is directly tied to the mountain. This public initiation ceremony, held every even-numbered year, marks a young man’s transition into adulthood and attracts visitors from across the country.
With a 4,000 km² base, the largest of any volcano on Earth-Mount Elgon stands as the oldest and largest solitary volcanic mountain in East Africa. The mountain has a diameter of 80km, and its cool high-altitude climate creates a dramatic difference to the surrounding’s hot and dry plains.
The landscape is shaped by deep valleys, waterfalls, caves, and lush forests, leading to open moorlands and Afro-alpine vegetation at higher elevations. This unique ecological mix provides habitat for diverse wildlife and plant species.
Key Features of Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park supports over 300 bird species, including the endangered Lammergeyer (bearded vulture), Tacazze sunbird, and Jackson’s francolin. The park’s forests and moorlands are also home to various mammals, including:
- Blue monkeys
- Black-and-white colobus monkeys
- Bushbucks and duikers
- Forest elephants, which roam the thick vegetation
- Leopards and hyenas, though are rarely seen
The diverse vegetation zones range from montane forests to Afro-alpine moorlands, featuring giant lobelias and groundsels, which thrive at high altitudes.
Wildlife In Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is home to a number of wildlife. The lower slopes of Mount Elgon are inhabited by elephants, buffalo, and a variety of small antelope.
The dense montane forest contains primates like the black and white colobus monkey, vervet monkeys and the blue monkey.
The park is also home to over 300 species of bird, including the Tacazze sunbird and the lammergeier.
How To Get to Mount Elgon National Park
The journey from Kampala to Mount Elgon National Park is around 235km.
The first step is on a tarmac road that runs through Jinja to Mbale, a city in the Eastern Region of Uganda. The road then climbs to Kapchorwa on Mount Elgon’s north-western side.
The second journey is on dirty roads that lead off the Mbale-Kapchorwa road to reach the various trailheads.
Tourist Attractions in Mount Elgon National Park
Sipi falls
The northern and western sides of mount Elgon rise in a series of massive basalt cliffs, often several kilometers in length, over which the mountains rivers plunge as beautiful waterfalls. The best known are the three waterfalls which are; Sipi on the Kapchorwa road just outside the park. The lowest of these falls is the most spectacular as it falls over a 100m cliff. The second, known as Simba, drops 69m over the entrance to a cave. The third waterfall also known as ngasire, flows over an 87m high ridge. Sipi falls is less than an hour drive from Mbale on a paved road.
Forest exploration centre
The forest exploration centre at kapkwai is about 13km from Sipi town and it doubles as an educational centre for schools and the trail head for climbers using Sipi trail to the Caldera.
Jacksons pool and Jackson’s peak
Jacksons pool which is said to be standing at 4050m is a natural pool occupied by the shallow waters. The pool lies in the low land of the 4165m high Jackson’s peak, a free-standing volcanic plug raising from the western flank of the mountain.
Caves
Mount Elgon’s slopes are made of various caves left by moving lava and erosion of soft volcanic deposits that erupted some years back. The most accessible of these caves are Kapkwai cave which is near the forest exploration centre, and khauka cave on wanale ridge.
The peaks and the caldera
Mount Elgon’s highest peaks are formed by high points around a jagged rim enclosing one of the worlds largest calderas, at 40 km long and 8km wide. The tallest peak is the 4321m Wagagai, followed by Sudek at 4303m, Koitobos at 4222m and Mubiyi at 4210m.
The caldera was formed as a result of magma being drained from the chamber.
Vegetation
Mount Elgon’s vegetation is banded into broad zones whose characteristics are dictated by altitude and rainfall. The lower mountain slopes are covered with dense forest and regenerating forests, hung with vine-like lianas, epiphytes and lichens
Nkokonjeru ridge and wanale
Nkokonjeru ridge is a distinctive finger of the forest extending outwards from the main massif of mount Elgon. It lies at an elevation of 2347m and covers a 25km long tongue of the lava that flowed out o f the side of the volcano after the cone collapsed to block the main vent.
Nyero rock painting
Located 65km north of Mbale the Nyero rock painting are the finest of several rock art sites in the region. Three panels are found within the extensive granite outcrop of moru on the Soroti road. The most remarkable is the panel two which include two canoes bearing human figures
Activities To Do in Mt Elgon
Birding
The forest exploration center at kapkwai is an excellent birding site where tourists have many opportunities of watching the birds. The regenerating forest characterized with thick shrubs along the loop routes extend to cover cheptui falls.
Sipi Falls
Located on the lower slopes of Mount Elgon, Sipi Falls is a series of three stunning waterfalls with activities like hiking, abseiling, and exploring the surrounding natural beauty.
Abseiling
Abseiling is a recreational activity that involves descending down using a rope in controlled conditions from a mountain, cliff or a man-made structure and also known as rappelling in the United States.
Hiking and Trekking
Mount Elgon provides various trails for hiking, from short day treks to multi-day expeditions to the Wagagai Peak. Popular routes include the Sasa Trail, Sipi Trail, and Piswa Trail, each offering unique scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Rock Climbing
Many basalt cliffs around Sipi Falls are bolted for safe rock climbing, offering routes for various skill levels.
Cave Exploration
Discover ancient caves on the mountain, such as Kitum Cave, which is known for elephant visits for its salt deposits.
Cultural Encounters
Visitors can immerse themselves in the local Bagisu and Sabiny cultures, learn about coffee farming, witness traditional practices, and potentially attend cultural events like the Embalu circumcision ceremony.
Sport Fishing
Fly fishing for rainbow trout is possible in the Sipi River, particularly above the highest of the three Sipi waterfalls.
Coffee Tours
Take a guided tour of local coffee gardens to learn about the process of growing and processing Arabica beans, a specialty of the Mount Elgon region.
Mountain Biking
The Sipi area offers numerous trails for mountain biking, ranging from gentle rides to challenging routes like the Elgon Enduro.
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