Mountain Elgon
Overview
One of Uganda's most intriguing mountains is Mountain Elgon. Named for Mount Elgon, an ancient shield volcano that erupted more than 24 million years ago, Mount Elgon National Park is situated on the Kenyan-Ugandan border. With a peak height of 4,321 meters, Mountain Elgon is the sixth highest volcano in Africa and has the best surface area of any extinct volcano in the world. Of the park's 1,279 km2 surface area, 1,110 km2 are in Uganda, whereas 169 km2 are in Kenya, which is a lesser amount. Animals abound in Mountain Elgon National Park. The lower slopes of Mountain Elgon are home to buffalo, elephants, and several small animals.
The deep highland forest is home to primates such as the blue monkey and the black-and-white colobus monkey. The Tacazze sunbird and the Lammergeier are among the approximately 300 bird species found in the area. Mount Elgon National Park is the home of the Sabiny and Bagisu tribes. The Bagisu speak Lugisu, a Lumasaba dialect, whereas the Sabiny speak Sebei, a Nilotic language. The Bagisu refer to Mountain Elgon as such because they see it as a representation of Masaba, their founding father. They both engage in subsistence farming.
Physical characteristics
Mount Elgon is a huge, isolated volcanic peak that separates western Kenya from eastern Uganda. With a circumference of 80 kilometers (50 miles), its enormous shape rises 3,070 meters (10,070 feet) over the nearby lowlands. Its higher elevations provide a haven for plants and animals, while its cooler elevations give humans with a break from the sweltering plains below.
The five main summits of Mount Elgon are:
Wagagai (4,321 meters; 14,177 feet) in Uganda
Koitobos (4,222 meters (13,852 feet)), a flat-topped basalt column in Kenya; Sudek (4,302 meters (14,114 feet)) on the Kenya/Uganda boundary
Mubiyi (4,211 meters; 13,816 feet) in Uganda
Masaba in Uganda (4,161 meters; 13,652 feet)
Other noteworthy aspects include:
One of the biggest intact calderas in the world is Elgon's. Subsidiary craters to the southwest: Bududu, Manafwa rings, and Bububo, which sit near the caldera's border and have a central plug, are all around 25 km large. Nearly 50 kilometers from Elgon's summit, the plain is marked by the lesser Tororo.
The Suam River's thermal springs
Bluff at Endebess (2,563 meters; 8,409 feet)
The caverns of Ngwarisha, Makingeny, Chepnyalil, and Kitum: Kitum Cave is more than 60 meters (200 feet) in diameter and extends 200 meters (660 feet) below the surface. Wild elephants frequently visit the cave, which has salt deposits. They use their tusks to gouge the walls and lick the exposed salt. The cave was linked to the Marburg virus when two visitors (one in 1980 and another in 1987) died from the sickness, as detailed in Richard Preston's 1994 book The Hot Zone.
Uganda's Mountain Elgon Hiking Trail
The hiking trails on Mount Elgon are one of its primary attractions. The routes on Mount Elgon are available year-round and don't require any specialized climbing gear, in contrast to other climbs in East Africa. Compared to other hiking paths in East Africa, Mount Elgon's routes are less popular, so you may enjoy the breathtaking scenery without being interrupted. The length and level of difficulty of Mount Elgon's three main hiking paths vary.
The Mountain Elgon Trail in Sasa Uganda
The Sasa trek, which takes four days to complete round-trip, is the shortest but most difficult trek in Uganda's Mountain Elgon. This is the traditional path to Wagagai, the 4,321-meter peak of Mount Elgon. The route starts at the town of Budadiri in the Eastern Region of Uganda at a height of 1,250 meters. On the first day, there is a 1,650-meter ascent. After there, the route heads into the bush, where ladders are used to access the Mudangi Cliffs. A 2.5-hour hike through a stunning bamboo forest follows. Day 3 takes you to Wagagai, whereas Day 2 is a gentler trek.
The Piswa Trail
A kinder substitute for the Sasa Trail is the Piswa Trail on Mountain Elgon. You will cover about 49 kilometers in seven days. On the north flank of the mountain, close to the community of Kapkwata, the trail starts at 2,190 meters. The path is famous for its stunning views of the Kapeguria and Nandi Hills in Kenya and the Karamoja Plains in Uganda.
Mountain Elgon Trail and Sipi Trail
The longest trail is the Sipi trail. It takes four to six days to finish and is 56 kilometers long. Only a few kilometers from Sipi Falls, the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre is where the trek begins. One of its highlights is the section that passes through Tatum Cave, which is famous for its prehistoric cave drawings. Three shorter routes, each between three and seven kilometers, have been made available by the Forest Exploration Center. For visitors and novice hikers who wish to quickly take in Mount Elgon's breathtaking scenery and fauna, these pathways are perfect.
More than 300 bird species may be found at Mount Elgon National Park, which has been named an Important Bird Area (IBA). Those who enjoy birds should be on the lookout for endangered species like the lammergeier. Watch for the cinnamon-chested bee-eater, African goshawk, and African blue fly-catcher.
Ethnic groups in the area
Mount Elgon
Five tribes reside on Mount Elgon and its tributaries: the Bagisu, Mbay, Sor, Sapiiny, Koony, Someek, Pook, and Ogiek, who are most often referred to in the area as Ndorobo.
Why Go to Mount Elgon?
Gorgeous scenery ranging from rainforests to alpine moorlands
Rich cultural legacy – inhabited by the Bagisu, Sabiny, and Ndorobo tribes
Diverse fauna – home to forest elephants, rare birds, and primates
Less crowded hiking routes – a peaceful substitute for Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori
A biosphere declared by UNESCO is an internationally acknowledged conservation area.
More than just a peak, Mount Elgon is a haven for explorers, a hub for wildlife, and a cultural icon. This ancient volcano provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience, whether you're looking for adventure, culture, or nature.