Best of Africa Tours and Safaris Limited | Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve

Elgon is a 4,321 m high extinct volcanowhich in prehistoric times stood taller than Kilimanjaro does today. Althoughthe mountain straddles the Kenya border,its loftiest peak, Wagagai, lies withinUganda and is best ascended from theUganda side. Elgon is an importantwatershed, and its slopes support a richvariety of altitudinal vegetation zonesranging from montane forest to high openmoorland studded with the other-worldlygiant lobelia and groundsel plants.Spectacular scenery is the main attractionfor hikers on this oft-neglected andrelatively undemanding mountain, butthere is also a variety of forest monkeysand small antelope, along with elephantand buffalo. A checklist topping 300birds includes many species not recordedelsewhere in Uganda. Other attractionsinclude ancient cave paintings close to thetrailhead at Budadiri, and spectacularcaves and hot springs within the crater.

Size:
1,121 sq km

Location:
Near Mbale on the eastern border with Kenya.

Getting there:
Mbale ken 3-4 hours from Kampala along a good tar road. The trailhead at Budadiri, 206 nom Mbale, is accessible by public transport.

What to do:
Day walks From Budadiri or within the Mount Elgon Forest Exploration Centre; hikes of four days or longer traverse the peaks. Well worth visiting is the lovely Sipi

When to visit:
The lower slopes are line throughout the year. The drier months (June to August, December to March) are best For hiking.

Where to stay:
up-market lodge at Sipi Falls. Midrange hotels in Mbale. Budget lodging at Sipi Falls, Mbale and Budadiri. Within the park, camping onlyvailable near the Buhoma entrance gate