Climbing Mount Elgon
Climbing Mount Elgon, you ascend an ancient shield volcano that marks the border between Uganda and Kenya. This geological giant is celebrated as the oldest volcano of its kind in East Africa. Its crowning glory, Wagagai Peak, soars to 4,321 meters (14,177 feet) and beckons with a trek that weaves through a rich variety of ecosystems. The slopes of Mount Elgon are draped in a rich tapestry of montane forests, bamboo belts, and high-altitude moorlands, each hosting an array of flora and fauna. This mountain is a sanctuary for nature lovers and a playground for adventurers, offering a journey through the very essence of the wild.
The mountain presents several trails for hikers, such as the scenic Sipi trail and the gentler Piswa trail, each offering distinct experiences of Elgon’s natural beauty. The best time to visit is during the dry seasons, from June to August and December to March, when the weather is most favorable for trekking. Planning and booking in advance are recommended due to the popularity of these periods.
As a reputable tour operator, we ensure the safety and success of your Mount Elgon trek. Our experienced guides lead you through the ascent, emphasizing gradual acclimatization to mitigate the risks of altitude sickness. With our expertise, climbers are well-equipped for a memorable and safe journey to the summit, making the most of this extraordinary adventure.
Mount Elgon, a dormant volcano straddling the Uganda-Kenya border, offers a variety of trails for trekkers seeking adventure and natural beauty. The mountain’s highest peak, Wagagai, sits at 4,321 meters (14,177 feet), and the trails leading to it are as diverse as the ecosystems they traverse.
The Sipi Trail is a 56-kilometer round trip that takes four to six days to complete. Starting at 2,050 meters (6,726 feet) above sea level at the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Center, it is considered the longest but most rewarding trail to the peaks of Mount Elgon. The trail begins gently but becomes more challenging from the third day onwards, especially from Kajeri Camp. It passes through the northwestern mountainside, through Tutum Cave, and into the caldera before reaching Wagagai Peak.
The Sasa Trail, also known as the Buddukiro trailhead, is the shortest but steepest route to the peaks. It begins in Budadiri Town at 1,250 meters (4,101 feet) and takes four days for the round trip. The trail offers a chance to experience local Bamasaba farming settlements and their unique culture. The most challenging part of the climb is over 1,600 meters (5,249 feet) and is completed on the first day before traversing the park’s extensive bamboo forest and passing Jackson’s Pool on the way to Wagagai Peak.
The Piswa Trail, or Kapkwata Trailhead, is a 49-kilometer round trip that takes seven days and is known for its gentle gradient. It starts from the village of Kapkwata on the northern side of Mount Elgon and crosses a softwood plantation to the Podocarpus forest. This trail is renowned for its wildlife and bird species, and it offers magnificent views of the Karamoja plains of Uganda and the Nandi and Kapeguria hills of Kenya. The Piswa Trail also passes breathtaking hot springs on the way to the caldera and peaks.
Other hiking options include the Suam Trail, which is the longest and rarely used among the Mount Elgon trekking trailheads. It starts at Suam Trading Center on the Uganda-Kenya border and follows the Suam River through the steep and spectacular Suam Gorge to the hot springs on the eastern side of the Kapkwata caldera.
For a successful trek on Mount Elgon, essential gear includes layered clothing adaptable to changing temperatures, sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof backpack, a cold-rated sleeping bag, navigation tools, a headlamp, trekking poles, UV protection, a first aid kit, and a hydration system. Optional items like a camera and binoculars can enhance the experience, while snacks are vital for maintaining energy levels. Choose from the following treks for your Mount Elgon adventure:
Climbing Mount Elgon
1 Day Sipi Falls Mount Elgon Hike from Kampala
Kampala 1-Day Tour Sipi Falls Mount Elgon Hike is an affordable and safe, guided Uganda hiking tour to Sipi falls located on the foothills of Mountain Elgon just at the edge of Mount Elgon National Park and around 270 km from Kampala. The Falls are located in the Eastern part of Uganda (in the Kapchorwa district) near Mbale and close to the Kenyan border. Sipi Falls (elevation of 1,775 metres) is a spectacular series of waterfalls located in Mbale roughly 5 hours by road from Kampala. Our trip takes us to Kapchorwa where you reach the base of the Sipi falls, and hike with knowledgeable guides as you explore the 3 falls. This area is majorly where most hikes to Mt. Elgon begin. When you reach the top, the second-highest of the Sipi Falls comes first. It plunges 85 metres before concluding in a spectacular splash. The next fall is the smallest, at 65 metres. The last fall is the tallest at 100 metres. The second of the Sipi Falls is the highest, with a magnificent drop of 85 metres. Following this is the smallest fall, dropping 65 metres. Finally, the grandest and tallest plunge is the last at a lofty 100 metres. Hiking up to these falls gives a beautiful scenic view, of Lake Kyoga, the Karamoja lowlands, coffee plantations, and other surrounding areas. The hike covers about 7 km and could take nearly 4 hours but of course, depending on one's pace and ability. Our 1 Day Sipi Falls hike tours offer an exciting challenge as well as breathtaking views that cannot be found anywhere else in Africa.
2 Days 1 Night Uganda Hiking Tour - Sipi Falls On the Foothills of Mt Elgon, (Driving) from Kampala or Entebbe
Our 2 Days Sipi Falls tour is a short overnight trip to one of the most sought waterfalls in Uganda that are situated close to Mount Elgon National Park in Eastern Uganda. Sipi falls are found in the Kapichorwa district in Uganda and are a great destination for hiking & trekking. The tour begins from Kampala and the drive takes you through the towns of Jinja and Mbale and on to Sipi Falls (a 6-hour journey). You spend the afternoon visiting a coffee plantation to learn all the stages of coffee production right from planting, weeding, pruning, harvesting, drying, roasting, grinding, and packing. You will be allowed to taste the freshly prepared coffee tea at the farm. The following day you hike Sipi Falls beginning from the top, starting with the tallest fall which is 100 meters, and then descend to the main fall, ascend again on the second fall which is 85 meters, then descend till you reach the shortest fall which is 75 meters. The total hike will take you around 4-5 hours. During the hiking, you will be able to view the beautiful sceneries of Mount Elgon, Later you have lunch before your return trip back to Kampala.
3 Days 2 Nights Mt Elgon Hike Sasa Trail Uganda From Kampala or Mbale
This is a short and rewarding 3-day Hiking Trek up Elgon in Uganda that follows the Sasa River trail, starting and ending point of the hike is Budadiri in Uganda. This trip is guided by professional guides in Mt Elgon National Park and is undertaken in conjunction with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers. Mt Elgon, the fifth-highest in East Africa, straddles Uganda and Kenya, about 140km northeast of Lake Victoria. Measuring 80km from north to south and 50km from east to west, more than half of it lies on the Ugandan side. Its caldera in particular is almost entirely in Uganda. The Sasa River trail is accessed through Budadiri centre, the location of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The hiking trail begins at Bumosola (1770m) and continues up into the majestic high mountain and bamboo rainforest and out onto the high plains to reach the Maude Camp. Day two summit of the Wagagai peak at 4321m is only a couple of hours trekking on from Maude and can be made without heavy packs as it returns back to the Maude Camp. Day 3 is a long and unrelenting descent. In 3 – 4 hours you will be down and ready to board back down to Budadiri.
4 Days 3 Nights Mt Elgon Hike Sasa/ Sipi Trail (Begins at Budadiri & ends at Kapkwai Park gate) – Uganda
This is a short and rewarding 3-day hiking trek up Mount Elgon in Uganda. Hike to the summit of Mount Elgon at 4321 metres, and be rewarded with fantastic views above the plains of Eastern Uganda from Wagagai Peak, Mt Elgon’s highest peak. The trip uses the Sasa River trail that follows the Northern Route on the western flank of the mountain which is the shortest but steepest for climbing Mt Elgon from Uganda. The hiking trip starts at Budadiri located within Mount Elgon National Park, at the foothills of Mount Elgon, and ends at Kapkwai Park gate. On the first day, you’ll be driven 6km from Budadiri (1250 metres) to the trailhead at Bumasola (1711 metres). From here you hike up to stop for the night at Mude Camp. Day two, we summit to the top and enjoy panoramic views of the caldera, and hills and valleys stretching into the distance on all sides. On day three, we ascend into the Caldera and either finish at Kajere Camp or Tutum Cave Camp – Tutum cave being further by around a further 3 hours of hiking. On day four, we descend back to the Forest Exploration Centre at Kapkwai.
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