Uganda is among the best destinations on the African continent where you can enjoy a memorable hiking adventure Safari. The country offers several places where you can enjoy his adventure, however in this article we are going to focus on Mountain Elgon located in the eastern part of Uganda at the country’s border with Kenya.
This mountain which is an extinct volcano is the second highest in Uganda and stands at an elevation of 4321km. its also located within one of Uganda’s national parks which was actually renamed after this mountain – Mt. Elgon National Park. The highest peak of this mountain is located within Uganda’s boundaries despite the fact that it lies in both Kenya and Uganda.
The slopes of mountain Elgon have fertile soils and are covered with different vegetation zones that differ on different altitudes. These vary from the montane forests, open moorlands, groundsel plants as well as the giant. This mountain offers breathtaking natural scenery which attracts several hikers into this faraway countryside to challenge this mountain over and over again.
During this hike up the mountain you will encounter various tourist attractions including the Sipi Falls, the caldera, crater rims as well as the beautiful gorges. You will also see various wild animals including: waterbucks, duikers, forest monkeys, bush pigs, occasional leopards, elephants, tree hyrax Bushbucks as well as small antelopes. You will see various bird species around this mountain considering that this area has a bird list of over 270 different species of birds.
A tour to the nearby communities will offer you an opportunity to visit the ancient cave paintings found near Budadiri, as well as breathtaking hot springs. You will also visit the caves within the crater filled with bamboo forests as well as plantations of coffee. The locals living within this area have exciting cultures, for instance the Gishu people who hold male circumcision (Imbalu) every even year. The circumcision ceremonies are characterized by rigorous drumming singing and dancing. You will have a very fascinating time if you visit this area during these ceremonies.
Below is a brief itinerary of a hiking adventure up Mt. Elgon
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Mt Elgon
That morning a guide from AA Adventures will pick you from your hotel and then you will drive eastwards making a stopover in mabira forest for a guided forest walk. You will proceed to jinja – visit the source of River Nile (the longest river in the world), and the beautiful Bujagali falls. Later you will head to Mbale town where you will dine and spend the night either at Wash & Willis Country Home, or Sipi Falls Rest Camp, or Mbale Resort Hotel
Day 2: transfer to Sasa River Camp
Today you will hike through the Sasa trail and descend down the Piswa trail taking about 4 hours. You will proceed for another 2 hours of hike until you arrive at River Sasa Camp.
Day 3: Transfer to Mude Cave
From River Sasa Camp you will hike for about 2 hours to Patrol Hut from where you will ascend for about one hour to the Mude Cave Campsite where you will have your dinner and spend the night.
Day 4: Ascend to the Wagagai Peak
Today you will arise much earlier and descend up to the Wagagai Peak found at an elevation of 4,321 meters above sea level, a hike that will take nearly four (4) hours. You will spend some time at the peak relaxing and taking photographs before descending down to Mude Cave where you will have your dinner and spend the night.
Day 5: descend to Hunters Cave Camp
Today you will descend for about four hours and eventually camp at Caldera or the Hunter’s Cave where you will have your dinner and spend the night.
Day 6: Descend to Piswa Patrol Hut
Down you will descend further for approximately six (6) hours
for dinner and the overnight at Piswa Patrol hut.
Day 7: Kapchorwa
From Piswa Hut, you will move downwards to Kamnarkut and then transfer to Kapchorwa by foot in all taking you about five (5) hours.
Day 8: Explore the Sipi Falls
Today, after your breakfast you will set out to visit the breathtaking Sipi Falls found north of the town of Mabale within Kapchorwa. Later you will have dinner and spend the night at Sipi Rest Camp.
Day 9: Return back to Kampala
This will be the final day of our adventure. after breakfast you will begin the journey back to Kampala, having a stopover along the way for lunch and finally arriving in the capital city in the afternoon.
We hope that you will enjoy you adventure in this part of the Uganda. Our itinerary is well planned to allow enough time for acclimatizing.
For more about Hiking Adventures in Uganda, visit adventureugandasafari.com
