Volcanic Mountains in Uganda : Uganda has numerous volcanic mountains however the most profound volcanos in Uganda are mount Elgon, Mufumbira ranges and mount Moroto. These mountains were formed thousands of years ago due to volcanic activities some of which are active, dormant or extinct volcanoes. These mountains are homes to sources of rivers, forests, national parks, wildlife to mention but a few.
MOUNTAIN ELGON.
Mountain Elgon is an extinct Volcano which is found in the eastern region of Uganda bordering of Uganda and Kenya. Mountain Elgon has Wagagai (4,321) as its highest peak and is home to Mount Elgon national park which has a diverse species of wildlife and birds. Mountain Elgon has numerous beautiful montane vegetation that includes; montane forest, moorland, groundsel and heather vegetation. This extinct volcano also has a variety of tree species such as Elgon Olive, African Juniper, Elderberry to mention but a few. mountain Elgon range is approximately 270km from Kampala the capital city of Uganda and is Located near Mbale city the biggest town in Eastern Uganda. This mountain has four main peaks namely; Wagagai, Mubiyi, Sudek, Masaba and Koitobos.
Tourist activities at Mountain Elgon.
Bird viewing. Mt Elgon is a nest to very many bird species and is blessed to have a forest exploration centre where a tourist can find all the different knowledge about birding spots. These numerous bird species at Mt Elgon include; African Goshawk, White chinned Prinia, Chinspot Batis, Chubb’s Cisticola, African Blue Fly-catcher among others. This shall indeed give one on a Uganda bird safari at Mount Elgon a beautiful experience.
Cultural encounter; The Bagisu and Sebei people are the group of people that live on the slopes of mountain Elgon and these group of people have a very interesting culture that is unique and rich for example; the Bagisu people carryout general Circumcision openly for men every even year while the Sabiny people circumcise their women claiming it helps reduce their sexual desire thus reducing cheating.
Mountain Biking; While on a safari at Mt Elgon, a tourist can get biking experience especially around Sipi falls be able to view the beautiful falls and the surrounding in Kapchorwa district.
Volcano Climbing; using the various trails that run through the different peaks of mount Elgon, one can climb up to the highest peak of Wagagai and be able to take get an aerial view of the surrounding.
Agro Tourism; The slopes of mount Elgon have very fertile volcanic soils that encourage the growth of arabica coffee, Irish potatoes, among others these provide a great opportunity for a tourist on a Mount Elgon safari to find out the ways of growing and preservation coffee and how they earn from it.
Mountain Moroto;
This mountain is found in the plateau region of Karamoja and is located around 439.1km from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. This mountain is home to beautiful savannah grass lands and various wildlife and bird species. Mount Moroto is home to Kidepo valley national park and is filled with various wildlife species that include; Lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, leopards, ostriches, wild dog, eland, hyena, jackals, zebra, cheetah Jacksons hartebeest, oribi, klipspringer, antelopes, spotted hyena, warthogs, Guenther’s dik dik, caracal among others.
Bird watching; Mt Moroto is home to various bird species and is blessed to have a forest exploration centre where a tourist can find all the different knowledge about birding spots. These numerous bird species at Mt Moroto include; African Goshawk, White chinned Prinia, Chinspot Batis, Chubb’s Cisticola, African Blue Fly-catcher among others. This shall indeed give one on a Uganda bird safari at Mount Elgon a beautiful experience.
Cultural encounter; The Karamojong people are a group of people that have settled on slopes of mountain Moroto and the Karamojong group of people have a rich and diverse culture that is unique and r example; the women are to fight the men if the woman beats the man, the marriage is cancelled. There is also blood taking ceremony where the man in honour of marriage takes the blood of a cow to mention but a few. The Karamojongs are mainly pastoralist and therefore it shall be interesting for a tourist to visit and learn the day-to-day ways of living, how they are copying up in a dry environment among others.
Mountain Biking; While on a safari at Mt Moroto, a tourist can get on a biking on the ranges of mount Moroto and the areas around. This activity can be thrilling and fun filled making ones Uganda wildlife safari around Mt Moroto interesting and worthwhile.
Volcano Climbing; While on a Uganda safari on mount Moroto, one can use the various trails that run through the different peaks of mount Moroto and climb up to the highest peak of and be able to get an aerial view of the surrounding.
The best season to visit the volcanic mountains of Uganda is during the dry seasons of January February, December, June, July, August and September.
