Where Is Mount Elgon National Park Located? Mount Elgon in the located in the Eastern region of Uganda and it is situated just a few kilometers away from Mbale town and it is considered the second highest mountain in the country after Mount Rwenzori standing at an elevated area of about 4321 meters above the sea level. Mount Elgon national park cover a total surface area of about 4000 square kilometers and it is volcanic mountain which is known to have been formed by the process of Vulcanicity and it is shares boarders with other countries like Kenya and because of its strategic location this mountain forms up an extensive trans-boundary conservation area between the two countries. Mountain Elgon national park is known to be among the oldest physical features found in Uganda because it was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1992 and it was later established as a national park in 1968. More so, this national park derived its name from Mount Elgon, which is considered extinct volcanic mountain, and with the eruption that happened years ago.
Activities done in Mount Elgon National park.
Tourists exploring within mount Elgon National park get abundant chances to participate in many interesting activities where they gain new experiences such as; hiking up to the top of the mountain however, this activity requires individuals who are physically fit and have good hiking skills because it always tends to be tiring and they should also be in good health conditions whereby they are free from diseases like; pressure and conical heart problems and there are four major trails that tourists can use and these include; the Suam trail, piswa trail, Sipi trail, Sasa trail, mountaineering, guided nature walks where they are always accompanied with park guides who lead them through, bird watching where bird lovers get chances to sight see many bird species such as; marsh widowbird, black-collared apalis, jacksons francolin, white-starrred forest robin among others.
More so, tourists can opt to engage in cultural encounters where they get to interact with the Bagisu people who are also well known as the Bamasaba who consider this mountain as the embodiment of the Masaba their founding father and the Sabiny people where they get to learn more about the culture, history and the way of the way of lifestyle of these people. They can go for rock climbing, mountain biking, community visits, camping and wildlife viewing among others. In addition, the best time to visit this national park is best during the dry season which is between months of June to September and fro mid-December to February.
Attractions in Mount Elgon National park.
Mountain Elgon national park has so many attractions, which lead many people to travel from many, parts all over the world to visit the park and some of these include;
Caves.
In Mount Elgon national park, there are number of caves that are situated along the slopes of the mountain in Mbale, in kitugum, kapchorwa and some are found in Kapkwai. In addition, the Kapkwai caves are considered the ones easily accessed because they are strategically located near the forest Exploration centre.
Wildlife.
Mountain Elgon national park is a good destination to travel while on an adventurous safari in Uganda because it is a home to many wildlife species. Therefore, tourists can be able to spot animal species like; spotted hyenas, squirrels, bush duikers, waterbucks, buffalos, antelopes, elephants. There are also primate species such as; the black and white colobus monkeys, the red tailed monkeys, the blue monkeys and many others.
More so, Mount Elgon national park is seen as a birders paradise because it harbours around 300 bird species such as; the Jackson’s francolin, the endangered lammergeyer, the Eastern bronze napped pigeon, Hartlaubs turaco, Alpine chat, moorland francolin, hunters cisticola, red-throated wryneck, moustached green tinker bird, black collared apalis, Wyn’s weaver, tacazze sunbird, black shouldered kite and many others.
There are more other attractions that tourists can check out while on their tour in Mount Elgon National park and these include the Mountain Elgon Peaks and the Caldera which is known to have been formed from the Magma that was drained from the Volcanoes chamber, the Nkokenjeru and the wanale ridges which stand at an elevated area of about 2,347 meters above the sea level covering a distance of about 25 kilometers along the tongue of the lava, Nyero rock paintings, jackson’s pool and peak, Sipi falls, the tewei hill, Pian Upe wildlife, Matheniko Bokora wildlife reserve. More so, this national park is surrounded by a good vegetation cover such as; bamboo forests, olive trees, montane forests, moorland and heaths, giant lobelia and groundsel plants among others.
Contact our trusted tour operators in case of more information about where Mount Elgon National park is located and Book with our tours and travel company such as; Achieve Global safaris who offer the best tour packages while on a safari in Uganda.
