5 Days Mount elgon hiking safari

The 5 days mount elgon hiking safari takes you to the Eastern part of Uganda where you will participant in mountain climbing on East Africa’s fourth highest mountain standing at a height of 4,320 meters where you will reach the peak of Wagagai. The peak contains the largest Caldera in Africa. Other peaks on Mount Elgon national park include; Sudek peak at 4,303 meters, Koitobos peak at 4,320 meters and Mubiyi peak at 4,210. Mount Elgon national park contains many attractions including the montane and bamboo forests, Crater lakes, several caves, waterfalls, different vegetation zones, different bird species and animals including the bushbucks, Antelopes, wild cats to mention a few.This safari starts from Kampala through Jinja and ends in Kampala or Entebbe depending on your schedule. Drive through Mabira then Jinja which is the source of River Nile; take the junction that branches off the route to Busia. The journey with reward you with great views of the landscape, Mabira forest, tea and sugar plantation in Lugazi and Jinja, the newly constructed Jinja bridge on the Nile River, Lake Victoria and the people of the land. It takes about 5 to 6 hours’ driving from Kampala to Mbale/Sironko district and back.

Highlight of the 5 days safari

  • Day 1: Transfer to Mount Elgon national park
  • Day 2: Ascend to Piswa Camp
  • Day 3: Ascend to Hunters Cave Camp
  • Day 4: Mude Cave Camp
  • Day 5: Descend and return to Kampala/Departure

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Mount Elgon national park – Sipi falls

After early morning breakfast at your hotel in Kampala, depart Kampala at around 7 am and embark on your journey to Mbale with en-route views of the beautiful landscape and the rewarding plantation and Lake Victoria. Have your hot lunch in Mbale town before you proceed to Kapchowra where we find magnificent Sipi falls taking about 2-3 hours on the zig-zag road to the hill. On arrival at the Sipi fall office, get a local guide who will guide you to the Sipi falls. There are 3 levels of Sipi falls, the highest fall being at 100 meters, second at 85 meters and the third falls at 75 meters. Depending on the time, you may visit all of the falls or one or two of them before night fall. Return to the starting where you will meet your driver to connect to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay;

  • Sipi River lodge for Luxury
  • Noah’s Ark lodge for mid-range
  • Lacum lodge for budget

Day 2: Ascend to Sasa Camp through Budadiri (2,850 metres high)

Wake up to a delicious breakfast and the morning views of the landscape. Thereafter transfer to the Budadiri exploration Centre where you will start the hike. You will be briefed about the hike and also get a porter for yourself. Ensure you have your backpack containing what you will need to use during the hike including food, water and camping gears. Hiking start at Budadiri at a height of 1,250 meters and the hike is a bit steep and quick however the Uganda Wildlife Authority set up secure steps up on a cliff for easier climbing. The trial crosses through the montane rainforest and bamboo forest until you reach the lunar landscape above. This hike takes about 7 to 8 hours to reach Sasa River Camp with is at a height of 2,900 meters and it is from this camp you will have your dinner and dinner overnight.

Day 3: Ascend to Mude Camp (3,500 meters)

Wake up to continue the hike, first have your breakfast at the campsite, and then resume the hike through the forest to the summit base camp which is about 810 meters elevation taking about 4 to 5 hours to reach the peak that is the on the top of the Caldera called Wagagai peak that stands at 4,320 meters. On reaching the peak, relax and take pictures of the Caldera before you start descending to your overnight camp that is Mude Cave Camp through Jackson summit of about 4,200 meters which also provides fascinating views of the scenery for pictures. Dinner and overnight stay Mude Cave

Day 4: Descend from Mude to Budadiri

After breakfast the camp site, you will start descending back to Budadiri where you will meet your safari driver to connect to Mbale town where you will late lunch. Proceed to check-in a hotel to relax and rest from the hike. Dinner and overnight stay;

  • Sipi River lodge for Luxury
  • Noah’s Ark lodge for mid-range
  • Lacum lodge for budget

Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala/Departure

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then check-out to embark on your journey back to Kampala. En-route stop in Jinja to visit the source of the Nile and lunch before you proceed to Kampala. The safari guide will either drop you off at a location you advise or take you to Entebbe airport for your evening flight back home.

End of 5 Days Mount elgon hiking safari

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