Main Info
Mount Elgon National Park
Brief:
At 4,000km² Mt. Elgon has the largest volcanic base in the world. Located on the Uganda-Kenya border it is also the oldest and largest solitary, volcanic mountain in East Africa. Its vast form, 80km in diameter, rises more than 3,000m above the surrounding plains. The mountain’s cool heights offer respite from the hot plains below, with the higher altitudes providing a refuge for flora and fauna.
Mount Elgon National Park is home to over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Lammergeyer. The higher slopes are protected by national parks in Uganda and Kenya, creating an extensive trans-boundary conservation area which has been declared a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve.
More details: https://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/mount-elgon-national-park
What to do
1. Hiking / Nature Walks
Lucky hikers in Mt Elgon will enjoy being amongst the parks primates, birds and rare tree species. Trails lead past caves, viewpoints and waterfalls, with the option of camping overnight on the mountain slopes.
2. Abseiling
This thrilling activity is done down one of the cliffs of the Sipi falls. You drop down 100m overlooking the ridge next to a pool, take a dip in the pool before ascending back up the cliff to the top of the hill.
3. Bird Watching
Birding in Mt Elgon national park will give you species that you cannot find anywhere else. The common trail is one in Kapkwai forest exploration center, which continues along Chebonet river. Here you are likely to see the white-chinned Prinia, Luhders and Doherty’s Bush-shrikes, Chubb’s Cisticola, African Goshawk, African Blue Flycatcher and Baglafetcht weaver.
4. Water Falls
The mountain rivers plunge over massive cliffs on the northern and western sides of Mt Elgon forming some of the most beautiful falls. Among these are three beautiful falls together known as the Sipi Falls. These are outside the park and a hike to all the three is a fulfilling experience. The lowest of the falls flows over 100m cliff, followed by Simba at 69m and then Ngasire at 87m.
More waterfalls are found in Wanale, chebonet, Bulago and Sisyi.
5. Caves
Like most mountains, Mt Elgon slope have caves, which were left by moving, lave. The most accessible are Kapkwai cave and Khauka cave on Wanale Ridge. Hikers used the caves as shelter and currently they act as locations for camps.
6. Agro Tourism Encounters
The best coffee is from this rich and fertile region of Mt Elgon. Experience the entire coffee process by taking a guided walk through the coffee shambason the slopes of Mt Elgon. You will visit the shambas and homes to experience coffee planting demonstration, picking, grinding, storage, and washing. The coffee from here is Arabic and also known as Sipi or Bugisu coffee.
Itinerary
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Trip Overview
Mt. Elgon is an extinct volcano with the widest surface area on the planet (400 square kms). The park has varied attractions that include the beautiful Sipi falls, gorges, craters, rock hyrax, as well as huge caves. This mountain also has unique fauna that includes montane forests, spectacular flower species, bamboo forests, and giant Lobelia with also a good representation of flora that includes wild cats, birds, bushbucks, hyenas, and antelopes. It is also a cultural hot spot famous for its colourful adulthood initiation ceremonies.
Most trekking expeditions up Mt. Elgon are based in the Sipi Falls area. Hikes around the falls offer stunning views of the Karamoja plains, Lake Kyoga, and the slopes of Mt. Elgon. Sipi offers activities such as rock climbing and abseiling and walks through communities with a rich heritage and culture.
Key Trip Highlights
✅Highlights
✅Sipi Falls
✅Hiking and abseiling
✅Beautiful mountainous scenery
✅Source of the Nile
✅White water rafting
✅Nature walks
Itinerary details
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
You will be met at the airport by our safari guide who will transfer you to the hotel reserved for you in Kampala. Dinner and overnight will be at this hotel.
Day 2: Travel to Mt Elgon
You will after an early breakfast drive eastwards to Mt. Elgon. You will have a stopover at Ssezibwa Falls for a cultural feel and continue to Mbale town located on the foothills of Mt. Elgon. Enroute you will drive past tea and sugarcane plantations, lush green forests and grasslands, colorful fruits beautifully displayed by the roadsides and enjoy a varied display of landscapes and local communities. You will have lunch in Mbale and proceed to Sipi village located between beautiful hills and waterfalls. Your dinner and overnight will be at one of the lodges adjacent to the Sipi falls.
Accommodation: Luxury and Average range
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Exploration of Mt. Elgon
You will have breakfast and thereafter hike to the Mt. Elgon Forest Exploration Center for a briefing on the activities of the day. There are two hike option areas to choose one from. The popular forest exploration center trail loop site makes one enjoy the cool mist at Chebonet falls, Kapkwai cave, the talking tree and a spectacular viewpoint of the low land areas below. The other is the long ‘arm’ of Mt. Elgon that bears the Wanale trails loop with vertical cliffs of ridge and several cascading waterfalls that make a very scenic drive. These two-day hike areas have short walk trails ranging between 3km and 11km that offer an excellent opportunity to experience Mt. Elgon’s unique plants and wildlife in a short period. In both, you will enjoy views of regenerating forests, fields of colourful flowers, extensive stands of bamboo and a variety of birds and wild animals. You will retire to a dinner and overnight at your lodge in the Sipi areas.
Accommodation Options: Luxury and Average Range
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Visit to Source of the Nile and return to Kampala
You will depart Sipi village after breakfast and transfer to Jinja to visit the source of the River Nile. You will have lunch in Jinja then continue to the Bujagali falls for beautiful views of the waterfalls well-known for white water Rafting, as well as cultural entertainment comprising acrobatics, dances, and storytelling. You will then drive to Kampala, arriving in the evening. You will have dinner and overnight at your hotel.
This 4 Days Sipi Falls package includes;
• Transportation (type of car ) 4WD min van with pop up roof for excellence safari view.
• All fuel for the trip.
•Driver / guide.
•Guide ranger fees.
•Accommodation and meals as per itinerary.
•All activities are described in the itinerary.
•Park fee is according to the program.
•Meals are according to the program.
However, the 4 Days Sipi Falls trip excludes: Personal Expenses like: tobacco, telephone, drinks, laundry, porter fee, personal insurance, air tickets, Visa, and tips to guides
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