Activities to do in Mount Elgon national park : Due to the current happenings at Mbale district this rainy season strongly believing to find it all spread out because of the heavy floods in the district Mbale region holds one of Uganda’s greatest treasure mountain Elgon and one of Uganda’s famous national parks Mount Elgon national park.
Mount Elgon National Park is one of the top termini in the republic for hiking and mountaineering treks subsequent Rwenzori Mountain, in eastern Uganda.
Mount Elgon National Park stems its name from Elgon Mountain, on which it is formed. The Elgon Mountain is historically known to be a dormant volcanic mountain, Mountain Elgon was once Africa’s uppermost mountain but due to periods of incessant corrosion, its height has progressively reduced. There are two communities in Uganda that appeal to Mount Elgon as home, and these are the Bagisu and the Sabiny.
Mount Elgon National Park in Uganda, experiences a moderate and humid climate, given the fact that it is positioned on a mountain.
Mount Elgon National Park has diversity of vegetation fluctuating from montane forest to open moorland which includes giant lobelia and groundsel plants. The flora cover in the national park diverges with altitude. Most of the high elevations of the national park are branded by montane forest, bamboo, olive trees, giant groundsels, lobelia and moorland with heaths. Nevertheless, the park’s lower altitudes contain tussock grass and rocky ground hence making an area of mostly moist climatical conditions
Mount Elgon National Park is household to quite a numeral of exceptional wildlife type. The park is a locale for over 300 species of birds such as: the eastern bronze-naped pigeon, Jackson’s francolin, Hartlaub’s Turaco and the endangered Lammergeyer. The park also has various species of animals such as; elephants, buffalo, antelope and duiker, as well as primate species like; blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and the black-and-white colobus monkeys. And all these can easily be sighted at any time in the national park.
Attractions in Mount Elgon National Park.
There are numerous magnetism at the park that sightsees can observe some of them are:
Caves, Jackson’s Pool and Peak, Mount Elgon Peaks and the Caldera,
Nkokenjeru and Wanale Ridges, Sipi Falls and Nyero Rock Paintings, amongst many more. These and a number of other unmentioned attractions can be sighted in the park and on your trail to the national park, Activities to do in Mount Elgon national park.
Activities Done in Mount Elgon National Park.
Guests scheduling to travel to the national park can engage in escapade thrilling doings such as;
Hiking: as of the fact that the park is positioned along the famous mountain Elgon this implies that mountain climbing is the major activity at this area most guest come to with the aim of hiking mountain Elgon and the rest come in as a by the way issue.
Birding: home to over 300 bird species. Guests who are bird lovers can occupy in bird inspecting events in the national park. Thru a birding excursion, guests sight unique bird species like; Chubb’s Cisticola, the White-chinned Prinia, African Blue Fly-catcher, Moustached Tinker bird, Tacazze Sunbird and the Black Kite among others.
Cultural/Community Tours: Visitors in Mount Elgon national park can visit the nearby village communities within and outside the national park. During cultural/ community visits, tourists get a chance to interact with the local people in these villages, learn about the history and culture of the people, tour coffee farms, as well as watch entertaining performances from the local dance groups. During a cultural/ community tour, tourists can visit the Sipi Widows’ Group and Budadiri Community Walk.
Guided Nature Walks: Mount Elgon National Park in Uganda offers its visitors guided nature walks, with hikers having a chance to sight the park’s primates, bird and rare tree species. Visitors on a nature walk are also able to see spectacular attractions in the national park such as the caves, caldera and waterfalls.
The Sasa Trail: This is the shortest yet toughest hiking trail. This hiking route starts at Budadiri town, through the local BaMasaba communities, permitting hikers to explore farm lands and interrelate with the locals. Hikers via the Sasa trail must look forward to eagle-eye amazing attractions like the bamboo forest and Jackson’s Pool before finally reaching the mountain summit at Wagagi.
The Sipi Trail: This is the lengthiest trail leading to Wagagi peak. It starts at the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre. Posing hikers with striking opinions of caves, flora and the Caldera. The Sipi trail takes hikers through the Tutum Cave, entering the caldera and finally leading to Wagagi peak.
The Piswa Trail: The trajectory is extended and yet it is the calmest of all three trails. The trail beings at the Kapkwata village, situated on the northerly side of Mount Elgon. Guests using this trail can be sure to eyesight delightful and breath-taking lures like the Karamoja plains, the Nandi and Kapeguria hills in Kenya, the caldera and hot springs, which are positioned near the caldera.
When to visit Mount Elgon National Park in Uganda.
Visitations to mountain Elgon national park are at any given time of the year. Nonetheless, it is best for guests to appointment the park from during its dry seasons because as the area can mean to be somewhat flooded during rainy periods. It is significant for guests to also note that given the fact that the national park is positioned on the Elgon Mountain, it can rain at any assumed time. Due to that fact that drives to the packing tips.
What to pack to Mount Elgon National Park.
Guests who are itinerating Mount Elgon National Park in Uganda for hiking or mountaineering actions should pack the following items to avoid any disturbances; a tent, sleeping bag, rain coat, hiking boots, cooking equipment, enough food, toiletries, a flash light, hat/cap, hiking gloves, warm clothing, a first aid kit and enough mineral water, these items will help give you a good and comfortable time on your visit.
Accommodation in Mount Elgon National Park in Uganda.
Guests in search of accommodation while in the national park can find accommodation in the following facilities; Suam Guesthouse, Kapkwai Bandas, Moroto Bandas, Pian-Upe Wilderness Camp and guest house; as well as other accommodation facilities outside the park like; Masha hotel, Sipi River Lodge and Sasa River Camp among others which all provide a great facility to its clients with tight security everywhere.
In what way to get to Mount Elgon National Park.
Guests can effortlessly entree Mount Elgon National Park from Kampala city. The national park is just 235km from Kampala via road. Guests will have to drive for about 3-4 hours to get to the park. For those drifting from Mbale town will have to travel about 20km to get to the national park.
