Mount Elgon National Park Uganda

Mount Elgon National Park Uganda mountain climbing adventure safari tours

Mount Elgon National Park is a national park located approximately one hundred forty kilometers north East of Lake Victoria.

It covers approximately an area of 1279 km² and is divided by the border of Kenya and Uganda. The Ugandan side of the park covers 1110 km² while the Kenyan part covers almost 169 km².

The Kenyan side of the park was gazetted earlier in 1968 than the Ugandan part which was gazette in 1992.

In 1896, C. W. Hobley became the first European to circumnavigate the mountain. Stigler and Kmunke are people who made the first recorded ascent to the Koitobos and Wagagai in 1911.

Jackson.F, J. Martin, and E. Gedge where the first people to make a record of assenting to Sudek in the year 1890.

The main peak of Wagagai is very easy scramble and this makes it not even to require special mountaineering skills.

Mt. Elgon which is at 4,000km² is said to be having the world. The mountain which is found in the Uganda-Kenya border is also the largest and oldest solitary as well as volcanic mountain in East Africa.

The mountains vast form stretches 80km in diameter and rises above 3,000m beyond the surrounding plains.

The cool heights of the mountain provide favorable grounds were it respites from the hot plains below and its altitudes which are in most times high are acting as a refuge for fauna and flora. Read More about Mount Elgon National Park

Interesting Tourist’s Attractions in Mount Elgon National Park Uganda Mountain Climbing Adventure Safari Tours

• Sipi Falls

The northern and western sides of Mount Elgon rise in a series of massive basalt cliffs, often several kilometres in length, over which the mountain’s rivers plunge as beautiful waterfalls.

The best known are the three waterfalls at Sipi on the Kapchorwa road, just outside the park.

The lowest of these falls is the most spectacular as it cascades over a 100m cliff. The second, known as Simba, plunges 69m over the entrance to a cave.

Visitors can stand in the cave and enjoy a view of the back of the falls. The third waterfall, also known as Ngasire, gushes over an 87m high ridge. Sipi Falls is less than an hour’s drive from Mbale on a paved road.

Easily accessible waterfalls are also found at Sisiyi, Bulago, Chebonet and Wanale and many more are scattered across the mountain, offering spectacular views.

• Forest Exploration Centre

The Forest Exploration Centre at Kapkwai is about 13km from Sipi town and it doubles as an educational Centre for schools and the trailhead for climbers using the Sipi trail to the caldera.

Three circuits of between 3-7 km run through the surrounding regenerating forest, where visitors’ can visit caves, waterfalls, escarpments and viewpoints; and observe birds and primates.

Bird species encountered here include Hartlaub’s Turaco, Lemon Dove, Dusky-Turtle Dove, African Hill Babbler, Alpine Chat, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Thick-billed Honey guide, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon

• Caves.

Mount Elgon’s slopes are comprised of various caves left by moving lava and erosion of soft volcanic deposits that erupted some years back.

The most accessible of these caves are Kapkwai Cave which is near the Forest Exploration Centre, and Khauka Cave on Wanale Ridge.

Long ago, the precious features acted as shelters for livestock of the local people who were the traditional inhabitant of the Mountain.

On later days the caves also provided manure in form of bat droppings and recently they are used by climbers and their porters as their resting grounds when hiking the mountain, also campsites have been set at the formerly Hunters Cave, Siyo Cave which is near the hot springs and Mude Cave , Tutum Cave are ideal for overnight expeditions.

• Jackson’s Pool and Jackson’s Peak.

Jackson’s Pool which is said to be standing at 4,050m is a natural pool occupied by the shallow waters.

The pool lies in the low land of the 4,165m high Jackson’s Peak, a free-standing volcanic plug rising from the western flank of the mountain.

These physical features were named after the explorer Frederick Jackson, who in 1889 was the first European to climb Mount Elgon.

The peak has traditional attachments to the locals since they use it as spot to communicate with their ancestors who left them long time.

The Peaks and The Caldera .

Mount Elgon’s highest peaks are formed by high points around a jagged rim enclosing one of the world’s largest calderas, at 40km long and 8km wide.

The tallest peak is the 4,321m Wagagi, followed by Sudek (4,303m), Koitobos (4,222m) and Mubiyi (4,210m).

The Caldera was formed as a result of magma being drained from the chamber. When it could no longer support the overlying volcanic cone, it collapsed into a depression-like shape.

In the eastern corner of the caldera, hot springs are found at the start of the deep Suam Gorge. In the northwest, Simu Gorge was formed by the sheer weight of the water in the caldera cutting two stream beds out of the weak volcanic ash and agglomerate walls.

• Vegetation

Mt. Elgon’s vegetation is banded into broad zones whose characteristics are dictated by altitude and rainfall.

The lower mountain slopes are covered with dense forest and regenerating forests, hung with vine-like lianas, epiphytes and lichens.

The floor is covered with a carpet of ferns, orchids and flowering plants. Common tree species encountered in the tropical Montane forest (1,500-2,500m) are olive Oleahochstetteri, Prunus Africanus, Elgon teak, Podocarpus, cedar, Cordia, Neoboutania, allophyllus tombea and Aningueriaadolfi-friedericii.

The zone changes to mixed bamboo at 2,500-3,000m. The bamboo merges into open woodland dominated by hagenia abyssinica and African rosewood interspersed with hypericum – a giant form of St. John’s wort.

The heath zone (3,000-, 3500m) is characterized by giant heather interspersed with grassy swards of blonde tussock grass dotted with pink and white everlasting flowers (ericriceum brownie and jonstonii), flame-colored gladioli, blue delphiniums and red hot pokers.

The moorland or Afro-alpine zone (3,500-4,321m) contains senecio elgonensis, Erica tree, giant lobelias with hairy leaves and plumes of tiny blue flowers, ladies’ mantle tussocks (archimilla elgonesis) and pink and white everlasting flowers.

The summit of the mountain is vegetated by rare Afro-montane species that include giant forms of lobelia and groundsel.

• Nkokenjeru Ridge and Wanale .

Nkokenjeru Ridge is a distinctive finger of forest extending outwards from the main massif of Mount Elgon.

It lies at an elevation of 2,347m and covers a 25km-long tongue of lava that flowed out of the side of the volcano after the cone collapsed to block the main vent.

Nkokenjeru Ridge culminates at the superb Wanale Cliffs which tower above Mbale Town; the seasonal Nabuyonga and Namatyo Waterfalls are located here.

A trail at this western end of the ridge leads you to Khauka Cave where petrified wood can be found.

This ridge also offers grounds for those interested in paragliding over the Mbale town.

The Nabuyonga Trail is a 5km loop with birding, fauna and flora. Viewpoints overlook Mbale town, Lakes Kyoga, Bisina and Salisbara, and the rugged mountains in Karamoja region.

On a clear day, you may enjoy vistas of Wagagai peak and even areas of western Kenya. Beware of throwing a stone into the Nabuyonga stream – local folklore claims that if you do so, a thunderstorm will strike before you leave.

• Tewei Hill.

Outside the park overlooking Sipi Falls is the hill where, during the 1960s, Chemonges Kingo, King of the Sabiny would meet his subjects. From the top you can view the three falls, the Karamajong plains and the Wagagai peak.

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and Matheniko Bokora Wildlife Reserve.

In the plains of Karamoja to the north of Mount Elgon lie Matheniko Bokora Wildlife Reserve and the expansive Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, the second largest protected area in Uganda, with an area of 2,788km².

Wildlife found here includes rare species such as the roan antelope, lesser kudu, Bright’s gazelle and ostriches which, in Uganda, are found only here and in Kidepo Valley National Park.

Wildlife is concentrated around the Loporokocho swamp; bird species encountered here include Hartlaub’s Turaco, Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon, and Lemon Dove, Dusky Turtle Dove, African Hill Babbler, Alpine Chat, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Thick-billed Honey guide and Grey Cuckoo-Shrike.

Rock paintings found at various sites within the Matheniko Bokora Wildlife Reserve are believed to date back over 3000 years and were created by the Kushite and Nilotic peoples.

• Nyero Rock Paintings.

Located just 65km north of Mbale, the Nyero Rock Paintings are the finest of several rock art sites in the region.

Three panels are found within the extensive granite outcrop of Moru Ikara, 10km from Kumi Town and 55km from Mbale on the Soroti road. The most impressive is Panel Two which includes two canoes bearing human figures.

• Scenic Viewpoints Outside The Park.

A detour to Bulago off the Mbale-Sipi road reveals a village standing high above a waterfall facing the Simu Valley towards Butandiga ridge.

The route to Kapchorwa beyond Sipi Falls to the north provides a stunning view towards Mount Kadam and the vast plains of Karamoja.

The top of the Sironko Valley in Budadiri, enclosed by the Mudangi Cliffs and the Nkonkonjeru Ridge, provides a picturesque view of the montane forest and caldera peaks.

Visitors should also drive to the top of Wanale Cliff for panoramic views over the town of Mbale.

• Local People and Cultural Tours in Mount Elgon National Park.

  

The various tribal groups that surround the park including the Bagisu, Sabiny and Ndorobos have got impressive cultural traditions, customs and practices.

For example the Imbalu cultural ceremony which is a significant event among the Bagisu where male gender is initiated into manhood.

The locals consider Mount Elgon locally known as Masaba to be the origin of their founding father Masaba.

The traditional Malewa cuisine that is extracted from the Bamboo sots is also thrilling to encounter while on safaris in Uganda.

The Sabiny have got their traditional practice of female genital Mutilation where they will tell you stories about it. The Ndorobo community is famed for its bull fighting experience.

Activities in Mount Elgon National Park Uganda mountain climbing adventure safari tours

• Birding in Mt. Elgon
  

The forest Exploration Center at Kapkwai is an excellent birding site where tourists have many opportunities of watching the birds.

The regenerating forest characterized with thick shrub along the loop routes extends to cover Cheptui Falls and these cool green environment favors the survival of the various bird species such as White-chinned Prina, African Goshawk, Chinspot Batis ,Chubb’s Cisticola, African Blue Fly-catcher, 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.

• Cultural Encounter

The encounter comes with the pride of meeting the Sipi Widows’ Group that can take the interested visitors on guided walk passing through the plantations of coffee and they also keep illustrating how coffee is planted, picked, grinded and finally washed making it ready for sell.

Finding out where the Arabic coffee comes from is very much interesting and these comes about through an encounter between Bugisu farmers who grow on the Mt Elgon gardens who are well known for producing the best washed Arabica in Uganda and Kenya.

Cultural encounter with the Sabiny local exposes the visitors to the local’s private life style and participating in traditional activities like weaving, Learning about African cuisine through getting involved in cooking and tasting of local dishes.

A visit to the women’s handcraft shop in the trading Centre is also highly recommended and here visitor can continue to shop and also invest in maintaining the coffee trees, helping the orphans by paying for their school fees, raising awareness about the dangers of traditional practiced female circumcision.

• Budadiri Community Walks Ecotourism Experience
  

Interacting with this community group which is based in Budadiri is of significant valve to travellers. The community provides different services and facilities to tourists and these range from cultural dances, accommodation, guided coffee tours accompanied with community nature walk, car hire.

The activity makes Visitors know more about the region’s cultural traditions in regard to dances, values, and food among others.

The community walk will also give the tourists to chance to visit the famous Arabica coffee processing plants, which is playing great role in supporting the local farmers.

For visitors who love Nature can get involved in the folklore, preparation and the famous malewa bamboo shoots.

There is also a tour of Mt Elgon’s in one of the three trails – the full-day Namugabwe Cave Trail, passing through BaMasaba community land and banana plantations to reach a historical cave filled with bones; the Dirigana Loop Trail to the Dirigsana Falls and Gabushana Cave past local markets and the “Walls of Death”; or the three day walk to Sipi Falls which reveals the culture of two neighboring tribes.

• Hiking/Nature Walks in Mt. Elgon

The four hour mountain bamboo trails to Kapkwai Cave passes through tropical and bamboo forest. Along the trail are many primates, birds and rare trees such as Elgon teak and Elgon olive.

The 5km walk to the Chebonet Falls and 3km walk to the Kapkwai caves follow the ridge view trail. There is also an 11km hike to the Tutum Cave, with the option of camping overnight beside the cave.

In Wanale, a visit to Khauka Cave takes three to four hours. Alternatively you can go to the viewpoint through Nabuyoga loop where you can see Jackson’s Summit and Wagagai peak.

In Budadiri, short day hikes are available covering the Mudagi Cliffs, Sasa River Camp and Drigana lower falls. These are great for bird watching, nature walks and overnight camping.

• Mountain Biking in Mountain Elgon
  

Mountain biking trail runs from Sipi trading Centre to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa town. It should take 1.5 hours and provides views of various waterfalls and the Karamoja plains. Bikes can be hired from Sipi River Lodge.

Over the past few years of exploring, a few main routes have been opened in the area, the nature of the routes are a downhill single track-mostly compacted local trials which are perfect for riding and most of the times always empty of people, Whilst mountain biking in Sipi falls is still in its infancy there is unlimited potential since it has the perfect terrain for all types of biking, another exciting possibility is to climb Mt.Elgon with bike. So if you are into your biking get yourself here for great unforgettable experience..

• Mountain /Volcano Climbing in Mt. Elgon

Many travellers find Mt. Elgon an exciting alternative to the more strenuous climbs in East Africa. It is easier to access throughout the year, less congested and has many of the same attractions, with a milder climate and lower elevation. Climbing the peaks requires no special equipment or technical experience.

The Sasa trail is the shortest but toughest route to the peaks, traversing the community land and allowing you to explore BaMasaba farming settlements and culture.

The round trip takes four days and starts at Budadiri town at an elevation of 1,250m. The toughest climb of over 1,600m is completed on the first day, before crossing the park’s largest area of bamboo forest and passing Jackson’s Pool on the way to Wagagai Peak.

The Sipi trail (four to six days, 56km round trip) starts at 2,050m at the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre.

It is the longest trail to the peaks, 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.

The Piswa trail (seven days, 49km round trip) is long and the gentlest trail. 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.

There are also other Alternative hiking options and here the various routes can be combined, ascending the Sipi/Piswa/Sasa Trail and descending along the Sasa/Sipi Trail for example. This allows a traverse of the caldera and a visit to the hot springs.

• Transboundary Hike/Cross Border Tourism:

The higher slopes of Mount Elgon are shared with an adjacent national park in Kenya and a transboundary hike can be arranged.

After ascending to the caldera with a UWA guide, climbers cross the border to descend with a Kenya Wildlife Service escort.

The best time to climb the park is during the dry season of June to August and December – March and also when preparing for mountain climbing, rain gear and both cool and warm clothing are required as the area is subjected to sudden weather changes. Visitors should also take camera, binoculars, hat, torch, wildlife guidebooks and insect repellant.

For health and safety reasons hikers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the symptoms and treatment of hypothermia and the various forms of altitude sickness .

Be aware that a above 2500m,altitude sickness can affect any ,irrespective of fitness ,previous mountain experience, or age.

The risk is reduced by slow ascents to enable acclimatization, while the most effective treatment is immediate withdrawal to a lower altitude.

Therefore affected hikers should not descend into calderas, which one must climb upwards to leave.

• Nature Walks in Mt. Elgon

A full-day nature hike leads from Budadiri to the Mudange cliffs, known as the Walls of Death, at the boundary of the national park.

These cliffs are located in the tropical forest, and blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus and baboons are likely to cross your tracks.

At Sipi Falls, guides from the local community can organize walks of a few hours up to a full day around local viewpoints.

In Kapchorwa, a 20-minute Sunrise Trek at 6am from Noah’s Ark Hotel leads to the nearby Tewei Hill to watch dawn spreading across the vast Karamoja plains at the base of the mountain.

• Rock Climbing in Mt. Elgon Rock

climbing takes place outside the park at Sipi. There are 14 climbs requiring various levels of rock scaling techniques, and all equipment can be hired from the Sipi Falls Tourist Guides Association.

The toughest is a 35m climb while the easiest is 15m. Both command a picturesque view of the main falls and the Karamoja plains.

How To Get To Murchison Falls National Park Uganda, Wildlife safari in Murchison Falls Uganda

Accommodations Safari Hotels, Safari Lodges in Mount Elgon National Park Uganda

• Masha Hotel. Budget

Masha Hotel is Located at the western end of Kapchorwa town on the approach road from Mbale and is a beacon for the town.

It is provides excellent budget services and the rooms are all kept clean and are well air rated.

Hotel also provides Conferencing facilities and these are given upon customer’s demand and according to the needs of the customers.

It has fully stocked restaurant, bar, Menu that includes traditional Uganda cuisines, Continental and Indian dishes.

The budget like accommodation provides number of services and these include

Pool table, Visit the wonderful Sipi Falls. Guided walks to the base of the falls, Experience a series of day walks at the Forest Exploration Centre on Mount Elgon only 7kms from Kapchorwa and also visitors can use Masha as a base from which to start or finish treks on Mt. Elgon.

• Noah’s Ark Hotel

Noah’s Ark hotels and safaris is located at the slopes of Mt Elgon towards the peak in eastern Uganda it is located 100 meters off the main road overlooking the entire town and the Karamoja and the Teso Plains.

The hotel has 3 branches with the capacity of over 100 clients ranching from USD 10 to 100 depending the clients’ budget.

We provide quite a unique service that other service providers do not offer with a variety of cuisines both local and continental and with organic coffee, foods unlimited coffee on the house, meat roasting.

We also offer dinner and breakfast without any additional costs. We do have a variety of accommodation ranging from cottages, suites camping tents and other services like Abseiling, Rock climbing, Sunset watching, community walks, coffee tours sipi falls hike with spectacular sceneries and our traditional dance group.

You may be surprised about the nature of warm welcome by our hospitable staff who will provide you with unlimited info you need.

What is amazing is 30 meter resting hut with a bar overlooking a mini falls of sipi, banana and coffee plantations, meandering sipi river and natural breeze that gives you a quiet and roaring sound and calls from our birds that will make you have an extended day.

• Sipi Falls Lodge.

Sipi Falls Lodge is located in the Mount Elgon West area of eastern Uganda.
Situated in high altitude farmland to the northwest of the mountain, close to the Sipi Falls, this pleasant lodge has cosy public areas in a central building.

Guest accommodation in a range of different style cottages set in extensive grounds which include a considerable waterfall.

Sipi River Lodge provides various choices of accommodation styles to tourists. The accommodations facility is located next to the main house.

Inside the main house clients are likely to find a clean dining room which is warmed by a log fire, comfortable reading lounge and airy veranda, stylish bar.

The lodge management tries to grow their own vegetables, fruits in their gardens and the activity is done throughout the season.

Some of the items prepared in the lodge such as meat and cheese is bought from the local markets in the area.

All the breads, cakes are made by trained lodge staff and are served fresh. Due to the fact that the lodge is positioned in one of the world’s best coffee growing areas, coffee is got from the nearby gardens and later prepared in the lodge kitchen.

The most interesting secret at Sipi lodge is that in their bar visitors can get collection of around 14 different types of whisky’s and they also keep a collection of over eight single malt favorite .

The rates include large cooked breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and cakes and 4-course evening meal.

The lodge has two Cottages identified as Aniet and Kapsurur cottages and these have separated, spacious and elegant in design. Offering the best views of the waterfall found anywhere on the property, when you arrive here you won’t want to leave!

Features include; ensuite bathroom with a double shower, king sized double bed, second twin bed, lounge and veranda. These beautiful cottages blend a unique design of vibrant colour, local craftsmanship, modern fittings and African flavour.

Sipi lodge also has Chepkui Cottage which is romantic, cosy and being perched on the hillside with stunning views of the precious Sipi falls.

The cottage services and facilities include the en-suite flushing toilet and power shower, a master bedroom with giant double bed and a separate lounge with sofas, day bed and a bunk bed.

The cottage can comfortably accommodate up to five guests and is perfect for families, large groups or couples.

The rates for the cottages are as follows below;
$210 – 2 adults
$285 – 3 adults
$359 – 4 adults
$434 – 5 adults
The prices for family travellers change depending on the number of adults and the age of the children .Activities in the area are mostly centered on trekking, both amongst the surrounding farmland and up into the forest of Mount Elgon National Park.

Sipi Falls Lodge is almost certainly the best option in the area and one which generates very reliable services.

• Kayegi Hotel

The hotel facility is Located on Plot 45B Masaba road, approximately one kilometre from the Post office building, It is a midrange hotel providing very comfortable services as far as accommodation is concerned.

Kayegi hotel is relatively new and has got very impressive views of the Mt. Wanale in the country side.

The Facilities offered in the hotel are 25 well-appointed self-contained rooms, Bar and Restaurant, Conference Hall, Beautiful gardens, Great service staff, Wireless internet, Ample and secure parking space

Kayegi Hotel offers a lovely and favorable environment for workshops, retreats and seminars. We have a 70 person (all seated with desk) or 150 person (all seated without a desk) purpose built conference hall

Rates

Deluxe Single USD 35 per night
Deluxe Double USD 40 per night
Deluxe Twin USD 50 per night

Rates include bed and breakfast

• Mount Elgon Hotel.

This stalwart former government facility, is located about 2km from the town Centre along masaba road .the hotel has been beautifully refurbished by new, Italian owners.

The hotel building is set in spacious grounds recently provided with swimming pool and terrace.

At Mount Elgon Hotel & Spa you’ll discover some of the finest cuisine and entertainment In addition to the main restaurant, the hotel offers in-room dining from 6 a.m. to 11p.m, ice cream and specialty coffee at Roots Bar plus a wide range of wines and whiskies and the following services are also provided to visitors, High Class Accommodating, Bar and Restaurant, Conference and Banqueting, Spa, Mini Golf, Hotel Shuttle Service.

The hotel provides opportunities for guest to Rest & Relaxation.

And these services are provided in the Spa which is devoted to syncing your mind and body, not your IPOD.

Slip into a robe and slippers and renew your senses in an environment of relaxation. With a wide range of services devoted to your well-being, you’ll find the perfect way to reinvigorate yourself and on Treatment Spa focuses on nurturing guests from the inside out.

Our soothing atmosphere and array of indulgent services, combined with special touches will leave you renewed and refreshed. While you are here, relax in our Jacuzzi that offers all relaxing comfort.

Mount Elgon Catering and Banquets offers Business Meeting, Festive reception, family anniversary, wedding celebration, gala evening, Christmas party, -here you will find the appropriate setting for your particular function.

They tend spoil guests with first-class service and culinary delights from a variety of buffets to the exclusive gala dinner according to your requests and concepts.

Mount Elgon is an ideal venue for exclusive celebrations in exceptional ambience. The main Conference Center is available for banquets of all kinds for up to 300 persons. We offer other alternative venues for smaller groups.

The Wanale cliffs provide a lovely backdrop, especially when lit by the yellowing early evening light. The Italian architect has included a crazy golf course, feature which is as fun as it’s expected. The hotel rooms are big, with wooden floor, DSTVS and hot baths.

A restaurant serves acceptable meals in the Ugandan much approximately 12000-16000 range. The tariffs are reasonably priced. Arrange of about 50 rooms plus are available in the hotel

• Mbale Resort-Mide-range

Hotel lies in beautiful grounds with a superb swimming pool plus a gym, and Sauna. Even if the you do not stay here its popular place to relax and use the facilities.

The attractive bar ,restaurant and well poolside bar are both provided with DSTV and are good places to watch local and international games and eat decent if unspectacular meals.

However the deluxe rooms are extremely cramped and it’s worth paying a little extra for a slightly larger executive room with2nd –floor balconies overlooking the pool and palm trees.

The hotel is situated about 2Km from the town Centre and can be reached by following the republic route east.

Prices

US $26 small single room

US$43/47 single/double/squeezed deluxe rooms

US$46/51 Single/double/roomier executive

US$60/70 Single/double/rooms in the extension

Budget Accommodations

• Mount Elgon View Hotel.

The long serving hotel is conveniently located in an annex, just across Kumi Road. It has the Tax Park, restaurant, bar, and internet .it offers clean and a table chair and similar-quality rooms using clean common showers.

Bus horns will wake you before dawn but it’s worth it to be able to wander on to the rooftop balcony to enjoy the sunrise over mbale’s roofs cape and Wanale cliffs beyond.

It offers large double rooms with secure parking, common showers, and rooms annex.

• Wash and Wills Country Home Mbale –Mid-Range

Wash & Wills Country Home Mbale is magnificent accommodation place located on the Maluku Estate overlooking beautiful scenery afforded by Mount Elgon.

An unrivaled blend of style and character make Wash & Wills Country Home ideal for those visitors seeking leisure, parties, workshops, seminars, wedding receptions and honeymooners alike. We offer safe and secure parking for our visitors.

The hotel has 30 self-contained rooms, 8 suites, 6 Executive double and 16 deluxe twins all equipped with TV sets, a mini bar and wall fans.

Deluxe self-contained Ushs45, 000-.
Executive double Ushs 55,000-.
Suites Ushs 65,000-.
Rooms’ rates include breakfast and the hotel has well decorated rooms which are all self-contained.

The services provided by the hotel are, Health Club, Swimming Pool under construction, Tennis Court, Pool Table, Darts, Recreation facilities, Parties, Restaurant, Conference Facility.

The hotel has a restaurant and a well-stocked bar and the hotel also has a conference room and a business center to meet your basic business requirements like internet, printing, scanning and telephone.

Uganda National Parks | Safari Destinations in Uganda

Uganda is a gorgeous place to be and is truly the treasure chest of the African continent. Uganda’s abundance of life in the wild has always inspired peak Safaris in Africa and this is undoubtedly expected to continue in the future. Read More about Uganda Safari Destinations

Queen Elizabeth National Park. Located within the western rift valley floor, Queen Elizabeth National Park was gazetted in 1952 as Kazinga National Park attaining its nomenclature from the 45m long Kazinga channel that bisects the park adjoining Lake George and Lake Edward.

Queen Elizabeth National Park overlooks the highest point in Uganda Rwenzori Mountains with their snowcapped peaks as they were described by Ptolemy in 150AD as the mountains of the moon. Read More about Queen Elizabeth National park

Lake Mburo National Park, The nomenclature of Lake Mburo National Park like most of other African areas cannot go without a legendary connotation.

The legends have it that the two brothers named Kigarama and Mburo settled in the area that is currently occupied by Lake Mburo grazing their long horned cattle across the open savannah plains that thrive up to today.Read More about Lake Mburo National Park

Kidepo National Park, Located in the north eastern part of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park covers a geographical landscape of 1,442km².

It is in the district of Kaboong about 220km from Moroto the biggest town in the sub region and 700km from Kampala the Uganda’s capital city.

Kidepo Valley National Park was established in the year 1962 and it contains 77 species of mammals, 475 bird species of which 60 are endemic to the park on the standards of Uganda. Read More about Kidepo National Park

Mgahinga National Park, which was established in 1991 covers a geographical surface of 33.7km² making the smallest national Park in Uganda.

Mgahinga National Park is the second habitat that contains the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas and it is the only national park in Uganda with counts of the rare and endangered golden monkeys which only thrive in the Virunga massif in the whole world. Read More about Mgahinga National Park

Murchison falls National Park, Regarded as Uganda’s largest protected area, Murchison Falls National Park was nowhere until 1952 when 3,840km² of land in the North West part of Uganda were established as a national Park.

Perched on the northern extreme of the western arm of the great East African rift valley, Murchison Falls National Park is 80km from Masindi town which is the largest town in the sub region and 311km² from the city of Kampala, the Uganda’s capital. Read More about Murchison falls National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in the south west of Uganda stretching for 321Km² at an elevation of 1,160 – 2,607 m above sea level.

Bwindi is one of those areas in East Africa with large expanse of Afro montane lowland forest which dates back to the pre-historic era and is known to have survived the last ice age. Read More about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Mount Elgon National Park, Spreading to over 1,121km² of land, Mount Elgon National Park lies with in the eastern side of Uganda close to Kenyan boarder 255km from Kampala which is the country’s capital city.

Mount Elgon which was once the tallest in Africa before it was eroded to being the fourth tallest in East Africa rises up to 4,321m above sea level and is the oldest and largest single standing volcano in East Africa having last erupted approximately 24 million years ago. Read More about Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Rwenzori National Park, had earlier been described by Ptolemy a Greek geographer in 150AD as Lunae Montes translated as the Mountains of the moon and were thought to be the origin of the Nile River which is the longest in world and one of the natural wonders encountered by Uganda safari undertakers. Read More about Mount Rwenzori National Park

Kibale National Park, The park is located in the western part of Uganda sharing the districts of Kabarole and Kamwenge and is 358km surface transfer from Kampala the Uganda’s capital city and 26km from Fort Portal the largest town in the area.

Kibale National Park is entirely forested landscape that stretches to 795km² of land coverage and it is one of the mature remaining tropical rain forests in Uganda. Read More about Kibale National Park

Semuliki National Park, Spreading to over 220km² of land surface, Semuliki National Park is located in the west of Uganda in the county of Bwamba, Bundibugyo district.

The park contains a range of species among which include 441 bird species and 53 mammal species. Established in 1993, Semuliki National Park is recognized among the newly established Uganda safari parks in Uganda. Read More about Semuliki National Park

Uganda Wildlife Safari Tours

Uganda has a count of ten (10) national Parks of which four of these are typical savannah with great counts of wild game. Kidepo, Murchison, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks present memorable wildlife safaris in Uganda.Read More about Uganda Wildlife Safari Tours

3Days Chimpanzee Tracking Safari in Uganda, The Kibale National park also known as the primate capital of the world is located in the west of Uganda and is gifted with 13 primate species. View Itinerary

3Days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Lake Mburo National Park offers you a short wildlife encounter that is closer to Kampala. The impressive savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo. View Itinerary

3Days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Murchison Falls National Park commence and end in Kampala. The safari involves white Rhino tracking in Ziwa Sanctuary, chimpanzee. View Itinerary

3Days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park is also the best short wildlife safari that you can have in Uganda. Starting and ending in Kampala. View Itinerary

6Days Uganda safari Adventure, starts and ends in Kampala. The safari takes you through the pearls of western Uganda in including the Queen Elizabeth National Park.View Itinerary

6Days Uganda Wildlife and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari takes you to Murchison Falls and Kibale National Park. It allows you to explore the African Big five. View Itinerary

6Days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Kidepo and Murchison Falls National Parks allows you to explore the big five of land animals in detail. The lions, elephants, Buffaloes. View Itinerary

7Days Uganda Wildlife Safari takes to Queen Elizabeth National Park with its counts of wild life including the elephants, lions, leopard, buffaloes, antelopes, Nile crocodile. View Itinerary

13Days Uganda Classic Wildlife Safari, as its name suggests offers you an opportunity to explore the African game in its wilderness. Starting with the virgin wilderness. View Itinerary

Uganda Gorilla Safaris

Enjoy the world`s surprising Gorilla trekking Uganda African safari destination offering Uganda Gorilla tours / Uganda gorilla safaris – Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Park Uganda.Read More about Uganda Gorilla Safari Tours

3Days Uganda Gorilla Tour to Mgahinga is a Short Uganda Gorilla Tour Trip-Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour to track Gorillas in the Virunga Region-Mt. Mgahinga Gorilla Park.View Itinerary

3Days Bwindi Gorilla Safari in Uganda is a Short Uganda Gorilla Safari-Uganda Gorilla Tour taking you trek gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP. View Itinerary

4Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Bwindi & Wildlife Tour Lake Mburo National Park, takes you Gorilla trekking in Uganda as well as to a Uganda wildlife tour in Lake Mburo park. View Itinerary

6Days Uganda Gorilla Safari & Wildlife Safari in Uganda, is an amazing Uganda Gorilla Tour to Bwindi Forest. Our 6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari commences. View Itinerary

7Days Uganda Gorilla Safari tour Bwindi, Uganda gorilla safari tour taking you gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest. View Itinerary

10Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Holiday & Wildlife Safari in Uganda, A Uganda Gorilla Safari Holiday Tour/Uganda Safari including Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Wildlife tours in Uganda`s Major Game Parks. View Itinerary

12Days Gorilla Safari Uganda & Wildlife Safari tour in Uganda, is a long Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park featuring Wildlife Tour to Uganda wildlife safari parks.View Itinerary

16Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees, Wildlife, Culture and Scenic Safari. This is a Long Uganda Safari Tour taking you in all Uganda`s wildlife Safari game parks. View Itinerary

21Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Tour, Chimpanzee trekking & Wildlife tour is a life time Uganda Safari Africa adventure that is suitable for travelers with long holidays & want to explore as much as they can. View Itinerary

Short Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours

1Day Gorilla Tracking Safari in Rwanda -1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Tour Volcanoes Park is an amazing gorilla excursion that you cannot have anywhere else in the region. View Itinerary

2 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda, is a 2 Days Gorilla trekking safari tour in Rwanda & one of the best short gorilla safaris that you can undertake.View Itinerary

3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda,The 3 Days Short Rwanda Gorilla safari tour starts and ends in Kigali /Kigali Airport but includes Gisozi genocide. View itinerary

4 Days Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking Safari–Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tour in Volcanoes NP enables one double track mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. View Itinerary

Long Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tours | Long Gorilla trekking Safaris in Rwanda

6 Days Primate Safari in Rwanda – 6 days short Rwanda gorilla safari tour is designed to enable you go Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and have a detailed encounter with the primates of Rwanda.View Itinerary

7 Days Rwanda Gorilla Chimpanzee Birds Safari is a Rwanda Gorilla tracking Safari, Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking Tour & Rwanda Birding Trip. View Itinerary

10 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari tour Adventure, is a Long Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari tour, and a highlight Rwanda Gorilla Safari, Chimp trekking & a Rwanda wildlife tour. View Itinerary

11 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Safari in Rwanda is one of the comprehensive safaris that can be taken in the destination Rwanda. The safari features a perfect blend of wild game, primates including gorillas and chimpanzees and then Culture. View Itinerary

Rwanda Wildlife Safari Tours | Wildlife Safaris in Rwanda

3 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari to Akagera National Park. is a perfect short wildlife encounter in the rolling savannah plains of the eastern Rwanda where Akagera National Park is situated overlooking the Tanzanian Plains. View Itinerary

3 Days Rwanda Chimpanzee Safari to Nyungwe Forest National Park, is a thrilling encounter in the pre-historic forest of Nyungwe where counts of habituated Chimpanzees are found.… View Itinerary

5 Days Wildlife and Chimpanzee Safari in Rwanda takes you to the wild game viewing haven of Akagera National Park and the chimpanzee trekking destination of Nyungwe Forest National Park. . View Itinerary

9 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari is one of those extended safaris in Rwanda that do not feature gorilla trekking. Starting and ending in Kigali, the safari takes you to Akagera National Park which is the only savannah park…View Itinerary

More Info About – Mount Elgon National Park Uganda Mountain Climbing adventure Safari Tours

Mount Elgon is not frequently visited like other higher and more famous mountains in East Africa.

However when the trails on mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro become increasingly crowded and degraduated ,hikers come to appreciate the precious mount Elgon’s .

A climb on Mt. Elgon’s deserted moorlands unveils a magnificent and uncluttered wilderness without the summit-oriented approach common to many mountains: the ultimate goal on reaching the top of Mt. Elgon is just descent into the caldera area of forty kilometers squared but not a final ascent to the Wagagai Peak which is 4321m,.

Mt Elgon was once Africa’s highest mountain, far beyond Kilimanjaro’s current 5,895m. But due to Millennia of erosion it has reduced its height to 4,321m, pushing it back to the 4th highest peak in East Africa and 8th on the African continent and this extinct volcano is one of Uganda’s oldest physical features and its first erupting occurred at around 24 million years ago.

It is home to three tribes, the Sabiny, Bagisu, and Ndorobo, the Ndorobo being the marginalized tribe, were forced to live deep within the Benet forest.

The tribe Known as the BaMasaba considers Mount Elgon to be the embodiment of their founding The Bagisu father Mas, also aba and hence they decided to name the mountain by this name.

The Bagisu and Sabiny are subsistence farmers and conduct circumcision ceremonies every other year to initiate young men into adulthood.

Local people have long depended on the forest produce and have made agreements with the park to continue to harvest resources such as bamboo poles and bamboo shoots (a delicious local delicacy.)

It has one of the largest intact calderas in the world and has number of caves i.e. Chepnyalil cave, Ngwarisha cave, Cave at Makingeny, and Kitum caves: Kitum Cave is estimated to be over 60 m wide and penetrates down to 200 m.

The cave is blessed with salt deposits and this attracts the elephants to frequently lick the salt exposed by gouging the walls with their tusks, The cave become dangerous following the release of the publication by Richard Preston’in his book titled The Hot Zone in 1994 following its its association with the Marburg virus which claimed two people who had visited the cave (one in 1980 and another in 1987) contracted the disease and died.

The mountain is composed of red laterite soils and it is the catchment area for the several rivers like the River Saum, which final became the downstream of Turkwel and which drains into Lake Turkana, Lwakhakha River and The Nzoia River which flow to basins of lake Victoria. Kitale which is the nearest town becomes the foothills of the mountain.

All the surrounding areas in the mountain are being protected by the parks two boarding counties i.e. Uganda and Kenya.

The name of the mountain is derived after from Elgeyo tribe who were the inhabitants of the huge cave found on the southern part of the mountain and the cave was known as Ol Doinyo Ilgoon (Breast Mountain) by the Maasai and as Masaba on the Ugandan side by the Bamasaba.The mountain consists of five major peaks i.e. Wagagai (4,321 m), in Uganda, Sudek (4,302 m or 14,140;ft) on the Kenya/Uganda border, Koitobos (4,222 m or 13,851;ft), a flat-topped basalt column in Kenya, Mubiyi (4,211 m or 13,816;ft) in Uganda and Masaba (4,161 m or 13,650;ft) in Uganda

Mount Elgon is a massive solitary volcanic mountain on the border of eastern Uganda and parts of western Kenya.

Its vast form, eighty kilometers in diameter, rises three thousand seventy meters above the nearby surrounding plains and this has acted providing a welcome relief in different parts of the word.

The terrain which is mountainous introduces various forms to an otherwise monotonous landscape in the region.

The cool heights of the mountain provide good living conditions for humans from the hot plains below, and its higher altitudes provide a refuge for wildlife and plant life.

Some rare plants are found on the mountain, including, Carduus afromontanus, Ardisiandra wettsteinii, , Ranunculus keniensis, Echinops hoehnelii, and Romulea keniensis.

Mount Elgon experiences dry seasons from June to August and December to March .Night-time temperatures are cold at high altitude.

Mount Elgon National Park is home to over three hundred species of birds, including the endangered Lammergeyer.

Forest monkeys, Small antelopes, elephants and buffalos also live on the mountainside. The higher slopes are controlled by national parks in Uganda and Kenya, which creates a large trans-boundary area for conservation and has also made it to be declared a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve.

Other Related Pages

• Attractions Mount Elgon National Park.
• Tourist activities in Mount Elgon National Park
• Accommodation in Mount Elgon National Park

For Safari Booking We Accept

We are highly reviewed on TripAdvisor & Safari Bookings.

Our Partners

People who always support and endorse our work