BEST HIKING EXPEDITION IN UGANDA: MOUNTAIN ELGON
Thinking of the best hiking expedition in Uganda? Mountain Elgon is the deal. Located in the Eastern region of the country, Mount Elgon National park covers an area of about 1279 and acts as an international border boundary of Uganda and Kenya. Uganda owns the largest part of the park covering about 1110sqkm that was gazetted in 1992 to protect and conserve wildlife while the Kenyan side covers about 169sqkm.
Mountain Elgon National park is well known for its extinct active volcano and the second Highest Mountain in Uganda after Mountain Rwenzori. The park is a home to a variety of wildlife species, over 70 mammals, 11 primates of which the black and colubus monkeys are prominent and about 300 species of birds.
Hiking Mountain Elgon in Uganda is the best expedition for hikers since it offers a milder climate, lower elevation and much more reasonable days to reach the top. The full mountain hiking circuit to the peak (wagagai) takes a minimum number of five days to complete the hike following either sasa or sipi trails
Reaching the top of Mountain Elgon, at Waggagi peak is simply magical, the conquerors' feeling you get having reached Uganda's second highest mountain. The Mountain has the world's largest caldera which you spot while at the top of the mountain.
Hiking Trails on Mount Elgon.
Hiking Mount Elgon takes 4 to 6 days depending on the trail used by the traveller. There are three main starting points for the hiking as briefly highlighted;
Sasa Trail; Taking sasa trail becomes a shortcut to the wagagai peak 4321km in just 4 days but also the most hard trail. Sasa was the first route used by explores when exploring the park. This begins right away from Budadiri town. The trek takes you through mudangi cliffs that are accessed using a ladder provided by UWA.
Piswa Trail; Piswa trail is the longer and involves 48km in about 6 days. The trail begins straightaway from kapkwata village at an altitude of 2180m high the sea level. With the Piswa trail, you are able to have magnificent views to the Karamoja plains in Uganda. As a Uganda traveller on a trip, you can also add a day to explore the hot springs in the mountains.
Sipi Trail; sipi trail is the longest mount Elgon trail with 56km and takes you about 7 days to reach wagagai the peak and complete hiking. Sipi trail starts from kapkwai exploration centre just near the beautiful sipi falls.
What to pack for Mount Elgon Hiking.
Hiking Mount Elgon is so simpler but sometimes what people wear during the experience can also make their hiking a nightmare. As you prepare to hike Mount Elgon, here is what you shouldn’t miss on your packing list
- Rain Jacket
- Sun Glasses
- Waterproof pants
- Light Hiking Boots
- Warm sleeping bags
- Gloves
- Hiking stick
How to get to Mountain Elgon National Park for Hiking
Getting to Mount Elgon National park is quite easy because of the different transport means alternatives; say rad and by air. However its easier when you get a tour operator like The African Encounters to plan for you the entire journey because it sometimes gets tiring to have to book accommodation, transport, meals and still hike to the top of the Mountain.
Mt. Elgon is located is about 225kms from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. From Kampala you will drive through the newly open express highway road that connects you to Mbale town. The journey takes you approximately 4 hours to reach Mount Elgon national park.
Alternatively, one can also access Mount Elgon through flying from Kajjansi airfield to Mbale for the luxury class of travelers with less time to make long road journeys.
If you ever thought of Hiking in Uganda, Mountain Elgon is the best deal, just contact us to put your whole itinerary in place.
