This park was named after the eighth tallest mountain in Africa that’s Mountain Elgon with its broad base, the mountain runs up to Kenya border to the east and it’s referred to as an extinct volcano within the region. Mountain Elgon national park is where the largest caldera in the world is found extending for over 8mk associated with a number of crater lakes and hot springs around.
The mountain’s tallest peak is the Wagagai with 4321m above the sea level, the park covers 1145km and it was reserved as a national park in 1993. The park is considered by the Bagisu commonly known as Bamasaba as their founding father Masaba. Surprisingly, mountain Elgon has got the widest base of all the mountains in the world. All these features make it worth a place to be visited before leaving the pearl of Africa. Most of the activities done while in mountain Elgon national park includes the
Mountain biking, mountain biking is done along the trail that runs from Sipi trading centre to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa town. This takes around 1.5 hours and bikers are able to watch various waterfalls and the Karamoja plains. Bikes are hired from Sipi River Lodge.
Mountain climbing, the park has got various routes that can be used under the guidance of the rangers, some of the trails that are used to reach the top of Elgon includes the Sasa trail which is the preferred route due to its shortness though tough, this takes four days along the Jackson pool to Wagagai and it starts at 1250m. The Piswa trail which takes seven days starting from Kapkwata village hence giving a spectacular views of the Karamoja plain, this is a 46km trip. Sipi Trail is another route used and it’s a 56km round trip which starts at 2050m at Kapkwai forest exploration centre hence as nice view of the Tutum cave and the Caldera.
Birding, this is another exciting activity performed in the park, as one explore around Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre plus the thick shrub along the loop trails extend to cover Cheptui Falls. This supports bird species including the African Goshawk; Chubb’s Cist cola, White-chinned Prinia, African Blue Fly-catcher, Chin spot Batis, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Doherty’s and Luhders Bush-shrikes, Baglafecht Weaver, Cinnamon Bee Eater, Moustached Tinker bird, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Tacazze Sunbird, Olive- and Bronze-naped pigeons, Black Kite and Black-collared Apalis.
Nature walks, hikers uses the 7km around a 4hours mountain bamboo trail to reach the Kapkwai Cave passes; this takes them through tropical and bamboo forest. Within the trails, many primates, birds and some tree species which are rare including the Elgon teak and Elgon olive can be explored. Another 5km walk to the Chebonet Falls and 3km walk to the Kapkwai caves passes through a ridge. Besides that, visitors who are physically fit can also take up the 11km hike to the Tutum Cave, with the option of camping overnight beside the cave. Hikes are also done in Wanale to Khauka caves and at Budadiri hence seeing the Mudagi cliff and the Drigana lower falls.
Cultural encounters, visitors with hopes of discovering more about Uganda engage in this cultural experience from Sipi Widows’ Group, these take visitors through a number of historical archives including the Arabica coffee origin and the local name of Sipi, they take visitor through the plantation while telling them how to plant, grind, store and wash coffee. Learning about how Sabiny spend their lives as you engage with the local residents, they take you through their cuisines, preparation, cooking lesson. Enjoy the beautiful women handcrafts just to mention but a few.
Sport fishing, Sport fishing is done around the three waterfalls at Sipi outside the park. This is one of an amazing activity that provides exciting to anglers who take pride in battling with fish and the largest can weigh about 3kg, fishing is restricted to designated sites and places Interested sport fishers are urged to bring their own equipment and secure a permit from Sipi River Lodge.
