What Is Unique About Mount Elgon National Park? Mount Elgon National park is famously known as the largest volcanic base in the world, which is located between Uganda and Kenya boarders. In addition, it is also considered as the oldest and largest solitary and volcanic mountain in East Africa standing at an elevated area of about 4,321meters above the sea level. Mount Elgon National park covers a total surface area of about 1145 square kilometers and it derived its name from the top tourist attractions found in the game park and that is Mount Elgon which is considered as the 2nd highest mountain in the country after mount Rwenzori and it was is known to have been formed due to process of Volcanicity and it is also ranked as the 8th highest mountain on the African continent. More so, the fact that this game park is shared by two countries, here is the unique history about it that Kenya first gazetted it as a national park in 1968 and later, Uganda established as a national park in 1992.
Attractions in Mount Elgon National park.
Exploring within Mount Elgon National park gives you chances to sight see and go through many tourist attractions that are found within the park and some of these attractions include; the beautiful flora within the park whereby there is a rich diversity of many different plant species like ;Lobelia, open moorland vegetation, it is surrounded by thick nice flowers, variety of bird species that are always available in the park for bird lovers to see such as; red-throated wryneck, hunters cisticola, black-shouldered kite and many others, Mount Elgon which is seen as key attraction in the park that has around 4 peaks and tourists can also choose to hike to this mountain which will take you about 3 to 5 days depending on one’s physical ability of an individual, Sipi falls and these falls are formed after river sipi meets up with the end of volcanic rock at the spectacular cave. More so, mountain Elgon National park is a home to large numbers of wildlife species and the advantage that tourists have is that they can always spot these species while doing other activities and some of these include; spotted hyenas, waterbucks, monkeys, duikers, squirrels. In addition, in this park, there are many tribes such as; the Bagisu who can also be referred to as the Bamasamba and these people always stay near the park.
Activities done in Mount Elgon National Park.
Touring around Mount Elgon National park also blesses you with great opportunities to participate in many interesting activities where they get to have new experiences. Therefore, some of these activities include;
Community visits and cultural encounters.
Tourists in Mount Elgon National park can choose to visit within the neighbouring communities within their free time and this is where they get chances to interact with local people from different tribes such as; the Bagisu who are also commonly referred to as the Bamasamba and they are found in a near Mbale town. In addition, visiting these people gives you chances to learn more about their history from their stories and watch their traditional dance performances, which is known as Mbalu that always comprises of spiritual and cultural, learn how they speak their local languages, and watch their annual circumcision ceremonies that are always conducted around the region.
Bird Watching.
Mount Elgon national park is also a great destination for birding safaris because it is a home to over 400 bird species and some of these birds include; Alpine chat, African hill babbler, mountain yellow warbler, dusky turtle dove, Grey cuckoo shrie, Hartlaubsn turaco, Eastern bronze napped pigeon, Black-shouldered kite, Black collared apalis, jackson’s francolin, lammergeyer and many others.
Hiking.
Hiking to Mount Elgon National park is one of the most intresting activities while touring around the park. and there around four major hiking trails that individuals can use in order to be able to reach at the peak of the mountain where they get chances to capture classic views of the park will all its beautiful features such as; sipi water falls and the hike to this mountain is always gentle and easy compared to all other African mountains however, it will still require one to be physically fit. Therefore, the trails include; Sipi trail, Sasa trail, Piswa trail and Saum trail. More so, hiking to Mount Elgon always takes tourists about 4 to 7 days depending on one’s physical fitness and their ability.
Where to Stay in Mount Elgon National park.
Mountain Elgon National park has so many accommodation facilities that are always available for tourists who choose to have their stay within this national park. However, these lodging facilities are ranged differently such as; from budget, mid-range and luxury. Therefore, some of these lodging facilities include; Forest Exploration centre Bandas, Masha Hotel, Savabba guest house, Sipi falls area, the crow’s nest camp, sipi river lodge, Savannah guest house, Sipi falls resort, Mt.Elgon hotel, Kayegi hotel, Mbale resort hotel, wash and wills country home, Twilight campsite, lacam lodge, Community-run camp, Moses campsite, Noah’s Ark hotel, Forest Exploration centre Bandas and many others.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about what is unique about Mount Elgon National park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Achieve Global Safaris who offer the best tour packages while on your Adventurous safari in Uganda.
