Mt.
Elgon National Park
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The park is located
near Mbale in the Eastern part of Uganda. It covers 1,145
sq km and was named after Mt Elgon (4,321m), an extinct
Volcanic Mountain that lies on the border of Uganda and
Kenya. In the ancient times this mountain stood taller than
Kilimanjaro Mountain, which is the highest mountain in East
Africa. The Mountain is shared by Uganda and Kenya but its
highest peak Wagagai peak (4321m) lies in Uganda. The mountain
has got three other major peaks, which are Kiongo (4303m),
Mubiyi (4210m) and Jackson’s summit (4165m). |
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Mt. Elgon is also locally known
as Mt. Masaba. Masaba is the name of the founding ancestor
of the Bagisu who is said to have emerged from a cave on the
slopes several centuries ago.
Mt. Elgon is an important watershed for various rivers including
the Sipi River, which forms the famous Sipi falls. The slopes
support a rich variety of altitudinal vegetation zones ranging
from montane forest to high open moorland studded with the
other-worldly giant lobelia and groundsel plants. |
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Though the spectacular
scenery is the main attraction, the park has a variety of
fauna species found in the park. These include forest monkeys,
small antelopes, elephants and buffaloes. The park also harbours
over 300 bird species with many species being not recorded
elsewhere in Uganda.
These birds’ range from forest birds, as well as several
endemic species adapted to East Africa’s montane moorlands.
Twelve of the species listed for Elgon occur in no other Ugandan
national park and these include Jackson’s francolin,
Moorland Francolin, Moustached green tinker bird, Red-throated
wryneck, black-collared apalis, Hunter’s Cisticola,
Alpine chat, Marsh Widowbird and Weyn’s weaver.
Other attractions found in the park include ancient cave
paintings close to the trailhead at Budadiri, spectacular
caves and hot springs within the crater, as well as the
famous Imbalu dances and ceremonies held by the local people
during initiation ceremonies.
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Tour Attractions:
• Elgon Mountain Climb]
• Sipi falls
• Traditional cultural dances
• Caving and sport fishing
• Bird Watching
• Nature and Community Walks
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