Hiking Mount Elgon in Uganda
Mountain Elgon is one of the famous mountains in Uganda that most hikers seek for, though it’s not highly explored by many hikers. Hiking Mount Elgon in Uganda can be done throughout the whole year, and it’s easier to climb, without any technicality.
Standing at 4200m, makes mountain Elgon to be on the list of the altitude seekers, to have a great experience to conquer the summit. The mountain is shared by both Uganda and Kenya as it lies on the Eastern boundary between the two countries, however best accessed from Uganda. The highest point, named “Wagagai” with beautiful Caldera, is located entirely within Uganda which provides a great opportunity for trekkers to add on from Rwenzori Climbing and Virunga Massif. Mount Elgon is a huge volcano with the largest crater of the major peaks in Africa.
It has many of the same attractions, with a milder climate and lower elevation, and requires no special equipment or technical experience.
Hiking Mount Elgon in Uganda can be accessed with 3 different routes thus, Sasa trail, Sipi trail and Piswa trail. The hiking takes 4 to 6 days, depending on which trail you will decide to use, depending on your hiking capability. Sasa trail is the shortest, taking 4 days, with tough hiking, and Piswa trail is the longest, taking 6 days.
However, you can combine two or three of the routes to have a great experience to enjoy your hiking, though they have different approaches, and starting points. This allows a traverse of the caldera and a visit to the hot springs, as you enjoy your hike.
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. You will need to be very fit to easily take on this beautiful challenging route.
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 campsite where you can raise your tent and enjoy your night stay. Potters can as well be arranged to help you with your luggage at a small fees. The park ranger will be your guide all through your trek on hiking Mount Elgon in Uganda.
Your visit to hiking Mount Elgon in Uganda can be combined with other attractions such as community walk to explore the community tours such as tea and coffee tours around the area.
There are number of wildlife, and birds to sight along the way, such as bush backs, elephants, buffaloes, monkey, baboons, to mention a few.It is another world and unlike any other group of mountains.
You can as well decide to just do a day nature walk around near the park entrance in case you would not wish to hike for many days. One days trek or 2 – 3 days trek can as well still be arranged. You need to be in good body shape and you will enjoy your trek around.
Other Attractions
You can as well visit and explore the famous Sipi falls, and have wonderful hiking tours to the falls.
Since you will drive through Jinja and Mabira forest, a boat trip on River Nile can be arranged at the source of the Nile, Jinja or go for a more fun adventure like squad biking, white water rafting on the Nile, kayaking and horse riding.
You can as well combine Mount Elgon on your, Uganda Safari across to Kidepo Valley National Park, or Murchison Falls National Park.
Hiking Mount Elgon in Uganda is a beautiful adventure, you can plan for 6 to 8 days round trip with a pickup and drop off in Entebbe/ Kampala, with summit to the peak. Though shorter hiker can be arranged in case you wish not to reach the peak.
Kindly get in touch with us at Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris, for the trek planning to Mount Elgon. You can as well make another arrangement of hiking to Mount Rwenzori, and get to the summit of the “mountain of the moon”.
