Mount Elgon National Park is a renowned tourist destination in the Pearl of Africa – Uganda. The host to the second highest mountain in the country and is known for its top-tier mountain hiking activity on the slopes of the captivating Mount Elgon. The mountain is bisected by the border between Uganda and Kenya, making it such an iconic landform in the region.
The beautiful scenery of the park attracts masses of travelers every year to come and have the best adventures of their lifetime. Mount Elgon National Park extends up to Kenya with the Ugandan part of the park covering approximately 1,100 square kilometers and the Kenyan part covering 169 square kilometers. The park is located in the eastern provinces of Uganda in Mbale district.
About the Park
History
Its Uniqueness
Activities carried out
Attractions
Where to Stay
History
Mount Elgon National Park was gazetted in 1994 to protect the unique flourishing vegetation and wildlife in the area. There were several concerns about protecting the various small primates that inhabit the area which made the establishment of the park crucial.
The area where this park lies was predominantly governed by the indigenous societies that inhabited the slopes and the vicinity of Mount Elgon. This area was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1929 by the forestry department under British governance. There was a series of insecurity in the area in the early 1990s until the joint forces wiped out the rebel militias from the forests. The forest reserve was then upgraded into a National Park for better tourism opportunities.
Its Uniqueness
Mount Elgon National Park stands out from the rest of the 9 national parks in Uganda due to its stunning physical landforms.
The National Park hosts the world’s largest caldera on Mount Elgon. It forms a beautiful scenery that is good for photography and videography.
Mount. Elgon National Park is also characterized by beautiful flora and fauna which further make it a beautiful place to be. The magnificent scenery made-up of cliffs, gorges, mesas, waterfalls and caves makes it a whole different and exciting destination.
Activities carried out
There are a series of exciting tourist activities that travelers can engage in when in the captivating Mount Elgon National Park. These include but are not limited to;
Mountain hiking. Mount Elgon is one of the most exciting mountains to hike in Uganda. It is the second highest mountain in the country after the Mountain Rwenzori. Its cliffs give a challenging hike and an unforgettable experience to travelers. The hike to the top comes with caldera experiences and visits to Jackson Pool and Peak which are such amazing destinations.
Caving. Visitors to the stunning Mount Elgon National Park can also get to engage in caving adventures. The travelers have the opportunity to explore the hidden caves in the National Park and enjoy their expeditions in unexploited areas.
Bird watching. Mount Elgon National Park is home to various species of birds which can be observed by visitors. The park is home to birds such as cinnamons, egrets, hammerkops, African fish eagles, turacos, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black bee eaters, piapias, oxpeckers, sunbirds, African paradise flycatchers and Darters.
Nature walks. Nature walks are also conducted in the National Park to help travelers explore more of the endowments and enjoy the feel of the natural environment.
Attractions
Mount Elgon National Park is inhabited by a variety of small primates which visitors can get to observe while there. These primates include tree squirrels, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and debrazzas monkeys. They can be observed in the forests on the slopes of the mountain.
Mount Elgon National Park is also a habitat for other mammals, especially the African buffaloes, African Bush elephants, impalas, waterbucks, leopards, warthogs and ellands.
Caldera. The dormant Mount Elgon volcano has a captivating caldera on its top which is an outstanding tourist attraction. It is the largest caldera in the whole world and presents great opportunities for photography due to the beautiful scenery it’s associated with.
Caves and cliffs. Mount Elgon National Park is known for its beautiful caves and cliffs which add up to its extraordinary beauty. There are a variety of caves to explore including the Kitum caves, Chepyail, Ngwarisha, Makingeny and cliffs, especially the Sipi Falls side.
Where to Stay
Lodges near Mount. Elgon National Park:
- Sipi Rafiki Lodge
- Rose’s Last Chance
- Sipi Valley Resort
- Mount. Elgon Hotel & Spa, Mbale