Mountain Elgon National Park, situated on the Uganda-Kenya border, is named after Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano that first erupted around 24 million years ago. Once towering higher than Kilimanjaro, millennia of erosion have reduced its height to 4,321 meters, making it the eighth-highest peak in Africa. The park was initially managed as a forest reserve beginning in 1929 before Uganda designated it a national park in 1992. The park spans 1,145 square kilometers, with most of it lying in Uganda. This area provides crucial water catchment for Lakes Kyoga, Turkana, and Victoria, eventually feeding the Nile River.
Activities
Visitors to Mountain Elgon National Park can enjoy various activities, including hiking to the Wagagai Peak, the park’s highest point, bird watching (with over 300 species), exploring caves like Kitum Cave with its salt-licking elephants, and cultural encounters with the Sabiny and Bagisu tribes.
Getting to Mt Elgon
To reach the park from Kampala, it is approximately 235 kilometers along the eastern route, taking about 4 to 5 hours through Jinja and the source of the Nile to Kapchorwa. The park is also accessible from Mbale town, a few kilometers away, making it a convenient destination for those exploring eastern Uganda.
Planning a safari in Mountain Elgon National Park and require a 4×4 car for the trip- we at Rent A Driver Uganda offer well-serviced 4×4 cars for solo tourists, couples, families and small groups who would love to do some hiking or camping at Mountain Elgon. You can contact us now by sending an email to info@rentadriveruganda.com or call us now on +256-700135510 to speak/ chat with us.