A sleeping giant has towered over the Kenyan-Ugandan border for thousands of years. The Bagisu tribe revere Mount Elgon as the physical manifestation of their founding father, Masaba. Trek up his ancient body and view East Africa from his unique vantage point, at a staggering height of 4,321m.
Wildlife
Mount Elgon National Park is home to a plethora of wildlife. The lower slopes of Mount Elgon are inhabited by elephants, buffalo, and a variety of small antelope.
The dense montane forest contains primates such as the black-and-white colobus monkey and the blue monkey.
The park is also home to over 300 species of bird, including the Tacazze sunbird and the lammergeier.
Things to do at Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon’s hiking trails are one of its major attractions. Unlike other climbs in East Africa, Mount Elgon’s trails are accessible throughout the year and they require no specialist climbing equipment.
Mount Elgon’s hiking trails are less congested than other hiking trails in East Africa, allowing you to enjoy its stunning scenery without any distractions. Mount Elgon has 3 main hiking trails which vary in length and difficulty.
Mountain Biking in 2012, the Uganda Wildlife Authority opened mountain biking trails. Bikes can be rented from Sipi River Lodge. One 1 ½ hour trail runs from Sipi Trading Centre at an altitude of 1,775m to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa.
Bird Watching Mount Elgon National Park contains over 300 species of bird and it has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Bird enthusiasts should look out for rare species like the endangered lammergeier.
You should also look out for the African blue fly-catcher, the African goshawk, and the cinnamon-chested bee eater.