Will you be visiting Uganda for a hiking or mountain climbing safari? Would you want more details on the many mountains in Uganda? An unforgettable mountaineering adventure awaits you in Uganda, the ideal destination for hiking and climbing. Plan a trekking safari across Uganda and you will not be disappointed. If you have any questions or concerns about Mountain Elgon Hiking Safaris, you can find the answers to all of them and more in our Frequently Asked Questions section.

The Mbale area in eastern Uganda is home to Mountain Elgon National Park, which sits near the Kenyan border. Locals refer to Elgon as “Mountain Masaba” because of a legendary ancestor who supposedly emerged from one of the mountain’s caverns; the mountain’s peak has the world’s biggest volcanic caldera, measuring 40 kilometers in width. The park was named for its most notable feature, the 4321-meter-tall extinct volcanic mountain known as Mountain Elgon.

In addition to a wide variety of trees, animals, and insects, Mountain Elgon Park is home to 299 bird species, including those that are unique to this region of the nation. These include tiny antelopes, elephants, buffalo, forest monkeys, and fauna species. Some of these birds are native to the forest, while others are indigenous to the East African montane moorlands and have evolved to thrive there.

On the slopes of Mount Elgon, you’ll find locals whose distinct culture will enrich your mountaineering journey. River Sipi, which empties into the world-famous Sipi Falls, is one of many rivers that rely on Mountain Elgon as a water source. From towering open moorland carpeted with enormous groundsel and lobelia to montane forest, the mountain slopes sustain a wide variety of altitudinal vegetation zones.

Among the highest points of Mountain Elgon, you may find the Wagagai peak at 4321 meters, the Jackson’s top at 4165 meters, Kiongo at 4303 meters, and Mubiyi at 4210 meters. You may mix several routes going up and down to view the most diversity of things to see, and there are three recognized trails that travel to the mountain summits. Here are the trails:

Path of Sasa
The ancient way to Wagagai is the Sasa Trail, which takes three to four days to reach the top, with a first-day rise of 1,650 meters. Starting in Budadari, the designated trailhead, you will ascend the Mudangi Cliffs via ladders. After that, you will traverse a bamboo jungle for almost three hours. From your campsite to the Wagagai peak of Mount Elgon, which is roughly four hours away, the hike becomes easier on the second day. On the third day, you may reach the top.

Trail of Sipi

The Sipi Falls on a hiking expedition up Mount Elgon
Sipi Falls is a great place to relax after your hike up the Sipi route, which starts at Kapkwai’s Forest Exploration Centre. Complete the journey in four to seven days.

On the first day, you have the option to set up camp inside the massive Tutum Cave. The entrance of the cave is graced with a tiny waterfall, and it was originally frequented by elephants who extracted salt from the rock. As a simpler alternative, you may descend by the sasa path.

Trail of Piswa
Not only does it provide the longest journey across the otherworldly caldera moorland, but it also avoids bamboo stands, making it the ideal path for animal observing. Returning by the Sasa Trail takes six days, while descending via the Sipi Trail takes seven days. Because of its elevation, the Piswa Trail is also thought of being more challenging to hike.

Hiking costs USD50 per person per day for foreign non-residents and foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 50,000 per person per day for East African nationals, according to the 2020-2021 Tariff, which is administered by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and pertains to the Mountain Elgon trekking activity. Entrance fees and guiding costs are included in the cost, however payments for the porter and chef are not.

The process of reserving a trekking safari in Mount Elgon is identical to that of reserving any safari in Uganda; the only difference is the demand. Hiking is a year-round activity, so scheduling is a breeze. Just tell us when you want to go, how much time you have, and what you’re interested in, and we’ll create a package just for you. In order to secure your hiking permits, cooks, potters, lodging, transportation, and all other services for your trip in advance, we will send you an invoice for payment after you confirm your booking with us.

Here at Katland Safaris, we offer a variety of travel choices to Mountain Elgon National Park, ranging from budget-friendly to ultra-luxury. Check out our popular itineraries below to see the Eastern region of Uganda and walk up Mount Elgon. Just visit our website, tell us what you’re interested in, how much money you have, and how much time you have, and we’ll tailor a tour to fit your requirements.

Because mountain climbing is a year-round activity, you may plan a hiking trip to Mount Elgon whenever you choose. The ideal time to plan is between June and August or December and March, albeit this falls around the rainy season, so it’s better to book at least a few weeks or months in advance. The weather may change at any time of year, however. Check out our website for a variety of Elgon tour packages, or get in touch if you want to create a personalized itinerary.

You may reach Mountain Elgon from Entebbe or Kampala by taking a road trip along the Jinja-Sipi route. To beat the traffic, set off early in the morning at 7:00 am. After lunch in Jinja, carry on to Mbale or Kapchorwa for the night. The journey takes about five hours by car and passes through several beautiful landscapes, including the Nile River, the Mabira forest, plantations, and friendly locals. Alternatively, you may reach Mountain Elgon from Kenya by crossing into Uganda. To do so, you’ll need to purchase an East African Visa or a Ugandan visa, which costs USD50, either at the Kenyan airport or online.

Before you start hiking and all the way up the mountain, there are plenty of places to stay. There are lodges, motels, and campgrounds ranging from inexpensive to moderate where you may stay before and after the trek. The midrange and luxury options include the Mbale Resort Hotel, the Sipi River Lodge, and the Mountain Elgon; the budget options include the Noah’s Ark Hotel, the Kayegi Hotel, and the budget rooms at the Sipi Lodge, among many more.

Camping is the sole permitted mode of transportation on the trail; nine simple campsites are strategically placed around the walking circuit. Please ensure your safety and the preservation of the park’s biodiversity by adhering to the restrictions and camping only in the approved areas. Because of the weight of all your gear, we suggest hiring porters for a day to assist you transport your camping gear. You may buy or rent camping gear in Uganda.

Because mountain climbing is a popular tourist attraction in Uganda, you can be certain that climbing Mount Elgon will not put you in danger. Throughout your ascent to the summit of Mount Elgon, you will be accompanied by armed rangers who will ensure the safety of both you and your guides from any potential dangers or uncertainties. Ensuring your safety is our first goal so that you may have an unforgettable time when mountain climbing on Mountain Elgon and other sports.

Because of the shared border between Mount Elgon in Kenya and Uganda, the two countries’ governments have worked together to ensure the safety of tourists visiting both countries. Those who wish to continue their climb into Kenya can do so by transferring from the park headquarters to the Mbale immigration office, where they will complete the necessary paperwork, and then to the Kenya Wildlife Service at the caldera’s hot springs. Reaching the Kenyan side requires a two-day walk.

Mountain Elgon and other trekking destinations are part of Katland Safaris’ incredible mountain hiking adventures. Several mountain climbing safaris have been organized by us to Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We provide cheap packages and may even create custom tours if you contact us.

Our ability to curate unforgettable experiences is a product of the cohesive team we’ve built over the years, which includes both youthful and dynamic employees, as well as seasoned and dedicated directors and managers who are native Ugandans. If you are interested in learning about the experiences of other travelers who have been with Katland Safaris for mountain trekking, you can see their reviews and ratings on safari bookings and trip advisor.