Mountain Elgon is the oldest and isolated volcanic mountain in the while off east Africa. It is located in the north east of region of Uganda along the border of Uganda and so it can be accessed from both countries and there are trails that you can follow. You can always hike up to the top but during our exciting Uganda mountain climbing safaris, or you can stop at any point you wish to.
Mt. Elgon is known for having the largest volcanic base all across the world with a diameter of 80km wide and it raises up to 3000m high above the surrounding environment. Mt. Elgon is also is characterized as the oldest solitary mountains and within just about a few days, interested people are very capable of hiking up to the top and then also back.
This kind of adventure begins with a real cup of tea and it will go as follows
On day 1: Arrival
Our company guide/ driver will be at your hotel very early to pick you up so that you can start your trip. He will have plenty of time to brief just before your long drive to the Eastern part of Uganda towards Sipi Falls which are found along the slope of Mount Elgon. You will go drive through Mukono, then to Mabira and then to Jinja which is the biggest natural forest in Uganda. As you drive through Jinja, you may visit the amazing Source of the Nile, from there you continue to Mbale and there you will spend the night. Your night and dinner will be at a hotel of your own choice for example Mbale Resort Hotel or at Sipi Falls Rest Camp
Day 2: Hike up to Piswa Patrol Camp (2850m)
Have breakfast from your hotel and then start on your drive along the murram roads that lead to Kapkwata. When you get at the ranger station, you will find a number of rangers as well as porters so from there, you will start the hike following the Piswa Trail. This walk involves a gentle climb going through some cultivated areas until when you get to an area occupied by the Podocarpus forest, a place dotted with big number of monkeys as well as various bird species. You will spend the night and have your dinner at the camp which will be Piswa Patrol Camp.
Day 3: Hike to Hunters Cave (3870m)
Hunters Cave is located 3870m high up therefore you need to have your breakfast really early and then start on this long and yet steep mountain climbing journey. Hunters Cave is situated just below the rim of that famous caldera, it is set up in camping tents and also has a really beautiful landscape which has covered with lots of giant groundsels. You should there in the evening and after your dinner, you will have plenty time to stare in the sky, enjoy the Milky way which is very visible. You should always prepare very well for the cold and sometimes it’s actually freezing during the night. It is true that there are days when the temperature goes below the freezing point.
Day 4: Hunters cave to Mude Cave Camp
This camp located 3500m high and it’s a very short journey to cover, it takes you to the caldera rim so that you have the opportunity to enjoy that magnificent view. If it is a clear day, you will clearly see the highest peaks of the mountain along the border of Uganda-Kenya from this point. You will take a long trek, go through the marshy areas number streams and rivers flowing. You will continue with your adventure, go visit the hot springs which flow into Kenya and when you get to the hot springs, spend some time relaxing your feet in the hot spring water. From here, you will follow the Sasa Trail which goes through the giant caldera, the scenery is very beautiful , there are so many giant groundsels, sometimes the dykers or the hyrax are seen in the place. In the evening, you should be at the southwest end of this exhilarating caldera heading down to Mude Cave Camp where you spend the night and also have your dinner.
Day 5: From Mude back to Sasa River Camp (2900m)
Sasa is located 2900m high and to get there in time, you need to do is start on your journey immediately after your morning breakfast. Be sure to carry only what you need in a small back-pack because this might be really hectic and very tiring by the time you get to Wagagai Peak which is located 4321m high. This is Uganda’s second highest peak after Rwenzoris’ Margherita which lies at 5,109m. It is quite a journey although it’s not that steep and it takes just about 3 hours to get to the summit. Once there, you will enjoy that amazing view of the surrounding area, you will see the crater and have a clear view of the Kenyan side. If you don’t want to climb up to the Jackson Summit, you have spend more time resting and then walk back from Wagagai Peak back to Mude Camp and continue to Sasa River Camp where you will spend the night.
Those who can continue climbing up to Jackson Summit which 4165m. You however need to need to be very careful because this place is very steep therefore ropes and crampons are required by any one climbing over those loose and huge rocks. From Jackson, you head back to Mude Cave Camp to get your belongings and descend further to Sasa River Camp which is overlooking Sasa River and it’s located in the middle of an afro-montane forest. Descending will not be that easy either because the trail is muddy and slippery.
Day 6: Descend to Budadiri Ranger Station which is located 1250m high
After breakfast, you have to slope all the way down to Budadiri station. This is a long way, steep too and yet very slippery. From a distance, you will have a view of those amazing terraced hills which surround the mountain, you will pass through villages and community shambas and will find so many kids who will be excited to see you. You will continue and you next stop will be at the Budadiri Ranger Station, From there, you will drive to your hotel which will be Mbale Resort Hotel, Sipi River Lodge or any other.
Day 7: Drive back to Kampala and out
This day marks the end of your 7 days tour with us. After breakfast, you will drive back to Kampala. You may visit a few places in Jinja like the famous Bujagali Falls located the other side of River Nile, Ssezibwa falls or any other places since there are many other place along that route. The driver will drive you straight to Entebbe if you have a flight to catch otherwise, he will drop you at the hotel of your choice in Kampala.
for more information about destination Uganda, visit adventureugandasafari.com
