Mount Elgon National Park

Volcano-based park on Kenya-Uganda border with caves, waterfalls and diverse highland habitats.

Towering about 4,222meters above sea level, covered in mist and drizzle Mt. Elgon is a soaring volcanic giant that is a sight to behold! The lush montane forest is thick and evergreen on the floor, but as you hike up, the foliage changes and the best place to see the forest is on the Chelulus circuit of the park. Mixed bamboo and Podocapus is the next forest zone which is a common feature on the mountain. The heath zone is characterized by dense scrub and wildflowers. The alpine moorland zone boasts of the highest number of endemic plant species on the mountain while the open moorland grassland is dotted with clusters of giant groundsel and lobelia plants that are unique to East Africa.

Vegetation

The diverse terrain and dramatic ascents of altitude, combined with the vagaries of rainfall and weather, produce four distinct vegetation zones on Mt. Elgon. They include:-

The Lush Montane Forest (2000m-2500m): The forest is of the dry, highland evergreen type and includes over 100 species as well as epiphytic orchids, ferns and trailing lianas. The best place to see this type of forest is on the Chelulus circuit.

Mixed Bamboo and Podocapus Zone (3000m-3500m): Together with the forest contain the highest biodiversity on the mountain.

Heath Zone (3000m-3500m): is characterised by dense scrub, brilliant wildflowers

Moorland Zone (3500m-4321m): Boasts of the highest number of endemic plants species on the mountain. The open moorland grassland is dotted with clusters of peculiar Giant grounded plus Lobelia plants, which are unique to East Africa.

When to go

Open year-round; the Mt. Elgon area can be wet throughout the year. The driest months are December to February. There is a cross-border tourism initiative where tourists climb on the Kenyan side and descend on the Ugandan side or vice versa for convenience.

What to take with you

Whether camping or just visiting for a day trip, visitors are advised to carry with them the following; personal effects, drinking water, food, camping equipment if the visitor intends to stay overnight.

Also important are; Camera, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellant, first aid kit, sunglasses, appropriate hiking/mountaineering gear and reserve car fuel

Park Size

169 sq. Km

The salt-mining elephants of Kitum Cave are definitely a spectacle. Tonnes of elephants, dubbed ‘the troglodyte tuskers’ stream down the cave to dig out salt elements from the ground. The park boasts of caves formed from ancient lava tubes namely Kitum, Making’eny, Chepnyalil, Ngwarisha and Kiptoro. Cave exploration and excursions in the bat infested caves are common with outdoor junkies that love the thrill of being in the wilderness. Making’eny cave, located about 1.5km from the Kitum caves has a spectacular waterfall over its mouth. A hike up is refreshing and the views breathtaking. The park has two internationally recognized designations; Important Bird Area (IBA) and UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) sites.

Mt. Elgon offers great opportunities for hiking to Endebess Bluff and Koitoboss peak, Picnicking and Cave exploration, Primate and Bird watching, Cross border tourism, Horse riding, Botanical diversity, Spectacular waterfalls and beautiful picnic sites, Photography and Self-guided walking tours at nature trails and Hot springs at the border of Kenya and Uganda.