Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park situated in the east of Uganda 255km from Kampala covers a geographical surface of 1,121km2. It contains the 4th tallest mountain in the East African region which was once the tallest in Africa higher than Kilimanjaro but as a result of denudation, it was reduced to 4,321m above sea level. Mount Elgon is the oldest and largest standalone volcano in East Africa with the last eruption estimated to have occurred about 24 million years ago.

Mount Elgon has got the largest intact mountain caldera in the whole world extending to 42 km2 and the largest volcanic base in the world stretching to 4,000 km2. The protected area has gone through series of gazettion with the first occurring in 1929 when it was established as a forest reserve followed by its establishment in 1940 as a crown forest and as a Central Forest Reserve in1951. In 1993, the area eventually gained a national park status. The protected area has had several issues with the local communities which led to degazettion of 6000 ha to the Benet-Ndoroboss who had encroached on it in 1983 but by 1993 more 1500ha had already been encroached upon.Mt Elgon is a traditional dwelling of the Bagisu and the Sabiny along with Ndorobos thriving in the Benet forest.

Tourist Safari Attractions in Mountain Elgon National Park

Mountain Elgon

Mount Elgon is considered as the oldest and largest stand-alone Volcano in East Africa. It is also the fourth tallest mountain in East Africa and eighth in Africa which was the highest in Africa but reduced to its current stand by forces of denudation. This historical and significance as a geographical landmark makes it an attraction worth of encountering while on safari in Uganda. The top of it is crowned by the world’s largest mountain caldera 42km2 in length and 8km wide. Mount Elgon is marked by series of peaks with the highest Wagagai standing at (4,321m) followed by Sudek (4,303m), Koitobos (4,222m) and Mubiyi (4,210m). On the east side of caldera, there stands the deep Suam gorge with hot spring while the north western side is marked by the Simu gorge formed as a result of cutting of caldera waters through the weak volcanic ash and agglomerate walls. This combines to make it thrilling for Uganda safari undertakers.

Vegetation

Mount Elgon has got different vegetation zones that occupy different altitude levels. The lower mountain slopes are covered with a regenerating dense forest marked with vine-like lianas, epiphytes and lichens while the floor contains a variety of ferns, orchids and flowering plants. Common tree species encountered in the tropical montane forest (1,500-2,500m) are olive Oleahochstetteri, Elgon teak, prunus africanas, podocarpus, cedar, Cordia, allophyllus tombea, Neoboutania and Aningueriaadolfi-friedericii. Mixed bamboo at 2,500-3,000m depicts the change of zone where it amalgamates into open woodland conquered by hagenia abyssinica and African rosewood intermingled with hypericum. The heath zone (3,000- 3500m) is marked by giant heather interposed with grassy swards of blonde tussock grass dotted with pink and white everlasting flowers (ericriceum brownie and jonstonii), blue delphiniums, flame-colored gladioli, and red hot pokers. The moorland or Afro-alpine zone (3,500-4,321m) is marked Erica tree, senecio elgonensis, giant lobelias with hairy leaves and plumes of tiny blue flowers, ladies’ mantle tussocks (archimilla elgonesis) and pink and white everlasting flowers while the top of the mountain is marked by rare Afro-montane species like giant forms of lobelia and groundsel. These vegetation ranges are an attraction to Uganda safari undertakers.

Wildlife

Mount Elgon National Park has a range of wildlife that include; elephant, Defassa’s waterbuck, buffalo, oribi, bushbuck, spotted hyena and leopard. However, these species are rarely seen in the park. The most encountered species include; blue monkey, black and white colobus and tree squirrel duiker

Birds

Mount Elgon National Park contains 296 species of birds of which 40 is restricted to Mount Elgon thus providing birders with rewarding birding opportunities. These birds include among others; Jackson’s francolin, moustached green tinker bird, black collared apalis, bronze-naped pigeon, Hartlaub’s turaco and tacazze sunbird and endangered Lammergeyer.

Local people

Mount Elgon National Park is surrounded by various tribal communities including the Bagisu, the Sabiny and the Ndorobos. The Bagisu and Sabiny are famously known for their circumcision festivities for males and females respectively. The Imbalu ceremony is a big festivity that pulls crowds from various areas to undertake safaris to Uganda. Bagisu refer to Mount Elgon as Mount Masaba and consider it to be the origin of their founding ancestor Masaba. Their traditional cuisine Malewa which is got from Bamboo shoots is also an amazing thing to encounter while in Uganda. The Ndorobos are re-known for traditional bull fighting experience.

Sipi Falls

Although Sipi falls is found out of the park, it offers an exceptional thrill to Uganda safari undertakers. The west and north sides of Mount Elgon rise in sequence of basalt cliffs for a range of Kilometers upon which various flowing streams plummet as impressive water falls. Apart from Sipi falls which is the major water fall positioned along Kapchorwa road out of the park, the area laso has other water falls including the Simba falls which plunges 69km over the cave entrance offering an opportunity to travllers to view its back. While the third water fall – Ngasire flows over an 87m high ridge. The famous of the three waterfalls in the area is Sipi on the Kapchorwa road, just outside the park while the lowest of them is yet the most spectacular as it torrents over a 100m cliff. Simba falls, plummets 69m over the entrance to a cave presenting visitors an opportunity to view its back from the cave. The third waterfall, also known as Ngasire, streams over an 87m high ridge. Connecting to Sipi from Mbale takes about one hour drive. The area has other water falls at Sisiyi, Bulago, Chebonet and Wanale all having impressive views to encounter while on safari in Uganda.

Tourist Activities in Mountain Elgon National Park

Birding

Mount Elgon National Park with 296 species of birds of which 40 is restricted to the area offers impressive birding encounters.
Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre and the Loop trails that push to Cheptui falls offers impressive birding encounters including species like; Chubb’s Cisticola, African Blue Fly-catcher, African Goshawk, Chinspot Batis, Dohertys, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Luhders Bush-shrikes, Baglafecht Weaver, White-chinned Prinia, Cinnamon Bee Eater, Hartloub`s Turaco, Moustached Tinker bird, Tacazze Sunbird, Black Kite Olive- and Bronze-naped pigeons and Black-collared Apalis.

Cultural encounters

This enables you to encounter the life of the locals that surround the park. The Bagisu and Sabiny farming communities and the Ndorobos pastoralists. The Imbalu (Circumcision) ceremony among the Bagisu is very thrilling along with their famous Kadodi dance and the malewa cuisine. The Ndorobos have got interesting bull fighting encounter. A visit to local coffee plantations is also very interesting.

Mountain climbing

Mount Elgon is very ideal for mountain climbing and can be summited through the following trails;

The Sipi trail. This takes 7 days and commences from the forest exploration center – Kapkwai which is a few kilometers north of Sipi falls. The trail passes via the impressive Tatum cave that is hidden within the extensive forest.

Sasa trail

This takes 4 days and commences from Budadiri town adjacent to Mbale offering a direct route to the peaks thus involving a steep climb of 1,600m on the day of start. The trail passes via the largest Bamboo tract and the lovely Jackson’s pool on your way to Wagagai peak.

Piswa trail

This takes 7 days and commences at Kapwata which is 30km after Kapchorwa. It starts at a higher altitude and tends to be long. It offers sights of podocarpus forest en route where a range fauna tend to thrive.

Suam trail
The Suam trail commences in Suam village close to the boarder of Kenya 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.

Mountain biking
This is another adventure in Mount Elgon Area. The bikes are got from Sipi river lodge and cycling is done through Sipi trading center to Chema hill in Kapchorwa town. The activity exposes you to waterfall sights and the views of Karamoja plains. The encounter takes 1.5 hours.

Nature walks
Mount Elgon National Park also offers opportunities for nature walks. The hikes from Budadiri to the Mudange cliffs also known as the wall of death are very interesting with views of the forest, fauna like black-and-white colobus and baboons. The walk in the Sipi falls area range from few hours to whole day with Sipi falls as the core product. The 20 minute sunrise trek commences at Noah’s Ark Hotel connecting to Tewei hills offering the sights of the sun dawning across the plains of Karamoja.

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