Mount Elgon NP

The best time to visit Mount Elgon is May and September, November and December. Its mountainous terrain introduces variety to an otherwise monotonous regional landscape.

Mount Elgon NP’s spectacular scenery is the main attraction for hikers, but there is also a variety of forest monkeys and small antelopes. Other attractions include ancient cave paintings spectacular caves and hot springs within the crater. The high extinct volcanic mountain is an important watershed and its slopes support a rich variety of altitudinal vegetation zones, ranging from montane forest to high open moorland studded with the other worldly giant lobelia and groundsel plants. Located in Mbale, Kapchorwa and Sironko districts on the eastern border with Kenya, the 1,121 sq km mountain is a tourist destination in Uganda.

The best time to visit Mount Elgon is May and September, November and December. 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 provides a refuge for flora and fauna.

While ascending Mount Elgon, there are four different forest zones: the lush Montane forest, the mixed bamboo belt, the heath and the spectacular moorland hyrachs, which contains rare species like the giant Lobelia Elgonensis and clusters of groundsels which are unique to Africa. At least 300 species of birds are recorded, including Jackson’s francolin, guinea fowls, sunbirds and turacco. The checklist for mammals includes at least 24 species.

There are several trekking trails around Mount Elgon, all open to everybody as this is not a difficult mountain to climb (Sasa, Sipi and Piswa trials). The full trekking circuit to the peaks takes 5 to 6 days to complete. The nature walks allows you to see flora and fauna, the enormous caves, gorges and hot springs.
One day hikes are possible from the Forest Exploration Centre at Kapkway. Particularly fascinating is the hike from Sipi trading centre to the Sipi Falls, a series of four pretty waterfalls culminating in a 99m drop at an altitude of 1.775 m, along the river Sipi, which originates from Mount Elgon.

The park has quite good number of lodge that provide good services to clients and these include the Mbale resort hotel, Mountain Elgon Hotel, Sipi falls lodge, Lacam lodge, Sipi river lodge and more…