Mountain Elgon National Park

Mountain Elgon National park is the oldest extinct volcanic mountain with the largest volcanic base in the world. It is located on the Uganda-Kenya boarder.

The mountain is shared with Uganda and Kenya but Uganda takes the largest part, it has trekking trails like Sasa, Sipi and Piswa.

Mt Elgon is a home of two tribes, the Bagisu and Sabiny. Bagisu also known as the bamasaba consider Mount Elgon to be the embodiment of their founding father masaba and refer to the mountain by his name.

Activities in Mountain Elgon National Park

Mountain climbing

There are three trekking trails that’s sasa, sipi and piswa trail.

• Sasa trail is the shortest but toughest route to the peaks. The round trip takes 4 days and starts from Budadiri town traversing the community land and allowing you to explore Bamasaba culture.
• Sipi is the longest trail to the peaks and it takes 6 days starting from kapkwai forest Exploration Centre passing through the northwestern mountainside through Tutum Cave to enter the caldera and reach Wagagai Peak. The trail begins gently, but becomes tougher on the third day from Kajeri Camp.
• Piswa trail is long but very gentle, it takes 7 days round trip Starting at the village of Kapkwata on the north side of the mountain, it traverses the soft wood plantation to the Podocarpus forest. It’s notable for its rich wildlife and spectacular views of the Karamoja plains in Uganda and the Nandi and Kapeguria hills in Kenya. The Piswa trail also passes the hot springs on the way to the caldera and the peaks.

Birding

Great birding takes place around Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre, birds in thus place include

Chubb’s Cisticola, White-chinned Prinia, African Blue Fly-catcher, Chinspot Batis, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Dohertys and Luhders Bush-shrikes, Baglafecht Weaver, Cinnamon Bee Eater, Moustached Tinkerbird, Hartloub`s Turaco, Tacazze Sunbird, Olive- and Bronze-naped pigeons, Black Kite and Black-collared Apalis.

Nature walks

Visitors can have full day nature walk from Mudange cliffs known as walls of death, at the boundary of the national park. In this walk you can sight blue monkeys, black and white colobus and baboons

Mountain biking

This activity takes one and half hours from Sipi trading center to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa where one is able to view waterfalls and the Karamoja plains. Bikes can be hired from Sipi River Lodge.

Rock climbing

This activity takes place outside the park, equipments used while climbing can be hired from Sipi Falls Tourist Association. The toughest is 35m climb while the easiest is 15m climb. Both command a picturesque view of the main falls and the Karamonja plains.

Cultural encounters

• Find out where your coffee comes from, The Sipi Widows’ Group will take you on a guided walk through the coffee plantation demonstrating how to plant, pick, grind, store and wash the coffee. Visit the Sabiny and learn how to prepare African meals and also taste local dishes.
• Budadiri Community Walks Ecotourism Experience offers accommodation, car hire, cultural dances, guided coffee tours and community nature walks to visitors.