Mount Elgon National Park is located in eastern Uganda. It covers 1,121 sq km and has the largest volcanic base in the world, stretching over 4,000 sq km. It is the largest solitary volcano in the world, with a diameter of 80 km, rising more than 3,000 meters above the surrounding plains.
The mountain slopes are home to the Bagisu, Sabiny, and Ndorobo communities, while the higher slopes are protected by conservation authorities in Uganda and Kenya, forming a cross-border conservation area.
Mount Elgon was declared a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve. The park is named after the mountain, which is an important water catchment area for River Nzoia flowing into Lake Victoria and the Turkwel (Suam) River flowing into Lake Turkana in Kenya.
The park receives about 1,270 mm of rainfall every year. Its vegetation includes giant lobelia, montane forest, groundsel plants, Podocarpus gracilior forest, bamboo, hagenia abyssinica, and moorland with tussock grasses and heaths.
The park is also known for its natural features, including calderas, hot springs, waterfalls, caves, cliffs, gorges, mesas, and mountain peaks.
This article presents top Mount Elgon tour operators, park entry fees, history, location, best time to visit, accommodation, animals, climbing trails, and cultural encounters.
Top Mount Elgon Tour Operators
Looking for reliable Mount Elgon National Park tour operators? These recommended travel agents and safari companies are trustworthy.
See list of recommended tour companies here.
Climbing Mount Elgon
Trekking Mount Elgon to the summit can take 4 to 5 days. There are also shorter options, including 3-day trails, half-day hikes, and 30-minute guided walks. Mount Elgon has five main peaks, with Wagagai being the highest at 4,321 meters above sea level. Three major trails lead to the summit.
Sasa Trail
- Day 1: Start at Budadiri. The climb is steep but fast. You pass through the “walls of death,” once crossed using ropes, but now replaced with stairs by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The trail continues through bamboo and rainforest to the higher slopes. Overnight at Sasa River Camp (2,900 m).
- Day 2: Hike 4–5 hours to the summit base camp, then return to Mude Cave Camp (3,500 m) for overnight.
- Day 3: Continue through Jackson’s Summit, Jackson’s Table, Jackson’s Pool, tussock grass, and small valleys before climbing to the caldera rim. From here, you see the surrounding hills and lakes.
- Day 4–6: Descend using a different route. Though the Sasa Trail is long, it offers a rewarding trekking experience.
Sipi Trail
The Sipi Trail is the longest route, taking 5–6 days round trip. It begins at Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre and passes Tutum Cave, the caldera, and finally Wagagai Peak. The trail becomes challenging after Kajeri Camp on the third day.
Piswa Trail
The Piswa Trail is the gentlest of the three routes. It starts at Kapkwata Village and offers excellent views of the Karamoja Plains and wildlife along the way. From here, you can also see the hills of Kapenguria and Nandi in Kenya.
On the Kenyan side of Mount Elgon, there are also three routes to the summit. One passes through Mount Elgon National Park, another starts from Kitale town through Masara and Endebess, and the third goes through Kimilili, which is considered the best route from Kenya.
Cultural Encounters & Community Tours
Mount Elgon National Park is home to three ethnic groups: the Sabiny, Bagisu, and Ndorobo. Each community has unique traditions. For example, the Sabiny once practiced female circumcision, while the Bagisu still circumcise boys as part of their culture. Visitors can meet these people and learn about their traditions and ways of life.
The slopes of Mount Elgon also support coffee farming. The region produces some of the best coffee in Uganda. Visitors can learn how coffee is grown and processed, and then taste a freshly brewed cup.
Park Entry Fees
- Foreign non-residents: USD 35
- Foreign residents: USD 25
- East African citizens: 15,000 UGX
- Children (foreign non-residents and residents): USD 5
- Children (East African citizens): 2,500 UGX
Other activities:
- Guided nature walks: USD 30 (foreigners), 10,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Hiking Mount Elgon: USD 50 (foreigners), 50,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Rock climbing: USD 65 (non-residents), USD 60 (residents), 60,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Mountain biking: USD 100 (foreigners), 50,000 UGX (East Africans)
- Bushiyi excursion: USD 150 (foreigners), 150,000 UGX (East Africans)
Note: Park entry and activity fees can change, so it is best to confirm with your Mount Elgon tour operator before visiting.
History of Mount Elgon
In 1929, part of Mount Elgon was gazetted as a forest reserve under the forestry department. In 1937, boundaries were adjusted to provide land for local people. It became Mount Elgon Crown Forest in 1940 and later the Central Forest Reserve in 1951.
In 1983, the Ugandan government gave some land to the Benet-Ndorobo people, but parts were settled illegally. In 2002, some areas were officially de-gazetted. Illegal timber harvesting still happens in some parts.
Mount Elgon is one of Africa’s oldest extinct volcanoes. It erupted about 24 million years ago and was once believed to be higher than Kilimanjaro. Over millions of years, erosion reduced its height to 4,321 meters, making it the fourth highest in East Africa and the eighth highest in Africa.
The Bagisu people, also known as Bamasaba, consider the mountain sacred and call it Masaba, after their founding father. The Ugandan side of the park was gazetted in 1992 (covering 1,110 sq km), while the Kenyan side was gazetted in 1968 (covering 169 sq km).
Before conservation, the land around Mount Elgon was managed by local communities. Resource demand was low because the population was small, unlike today. Mount Elgon is now one of Uganda’s least visited national parks.
Location of Mount Elgon
Mount Elgon National Park is in eastern Uganda, along the Uganda–Kenya border in Mbale District. The drive from Kampala takes about 7 to 8 hours via Jinja and Iganga. On the Kenyan side, it is located in the northwest, about 7 to 8 hours by road from Nairobi.
Best Time to Visit Mount Elgon
The park can be visited all year round, but the best months are during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. During this time, the roads are easier to use, and hiking trails are less muddy.
Accommodation in Mount Elgon
Accommodation inside Mount Elgon National Park is basic, with five designated camping sites: Piswa Patrol Hut, Kapkwata Rest House, Mude Cave, Hunter’s Cave, and Sasa River.
Nearby accommodation is available in Kapchorwa (Sipi Falls area) and Mbale town. Kapkwata Guest House can host about seven people, but visitors must bring their own supplies.
Animals of Mount Elgon
Mount Elgon National Park is home to many wildlife species. Some of these include elephants, buffaloes, duikers, hyenas, rock and tree hyraxes, Defassa waterbuck, bushbuck, oribi, bush pig, forest hog, aardvark, rodents, civets, and several cats. Leopards were reported in the 1990s.
The park also has primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, De Brazza’s monkeys, and many others. Half of Uganda’s butterfly species are also found on Mount Elgon.
The park is also a good birding destination with more than 300 bird species. These include 40 range-restricted species and 56 afro-tropical biome species. Some notable birds are the endangered Lammergeyer, Jackson’s spurfowl, eastern bronze-naped pigeon, Tacazze sunbird, Hartlaub’s turaco, moorland francolin, moustached green tinkerbird, alpine chat, black-collared apalis, black-shouldered kite, African goshawk, and Baglafecht weaver.
See recommended birding tour operators here.
What to Carry for your Hike
If you plan to visit during the wet season, it is important to bring waterproof hiking boots, garden gloves, insect repellent, energy snacks, warm long-sleeved clothes, jackets, raincoats, and plenty of drinking water.
I also recommend using trusted Mount Elgon tour operators for your safari. See the list of recommended tour companies here.
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