Mount Elgon National Park (Uganda)

Mount Elgon National Park Uganda | Volcano Hiking Safari

Mount Elgon National Park features crater hikes, waterfalls, caves, and scenic trekking routes on the Uganda–Kenya border.

Mount Elgon National Park lies on the Uganda–Kenya border and features an extinct volcano, waterfalls, caves, and scenic hiking trails. The park is ideal for trekking, nature walks, and bird watching.

• Wagagai Peak: Standing at 4,321 meters (14,177 feet), this is the highest point of the mountain and the eighth highest peak in Africa.
• The Caldera: A massive, ancient volcanic crater with an 8 km diameter and 40 km² surface area, featuring hot springs and dotted with small crater lakes.
• Sipi Falls: A stunning series of three waterfalls located just outside the park boundary, popular for hiking, rock climbing, and fly fishing for rainbow trout.
• Kitum Cave: A famous cave known for the elephants and buffaloes that venture deep inside at night to lick the natural salt from the walls.
• Jackson's Pool and Peak: A natural pool at 4,050 meters in the shadow of the 4,165-meter peak (a volcanic plug), named after an early explorer

• Hiking and Mountaineering: The park is ideal for climbers of all skill levels, requiring no special technical equipment to reach the peaks. Popular trails include the Sasa, Sipi, and Piswa routes, which can be done in 3-7 days. Guides are mandatory for safety and can be arranged through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
• Bird Watching: With over 300 recorded bird species, including the endangered Lammergeyer and Jackson's francolin, the park is a birdwatcher's paradise.
• Nature Walks and Mountain Biking: Shorter, self-guided or guided trails around the Forest Exploration Centre and the Sipi area offer opportunities to see primates, waterfalls, and unique flora.
• Cultural Encounters: Engage with the local Bagisu and Sabiny tribes, known for their unique cultural traditions and Arabica coffee production.