Climbing Wanale Ridge
Climbing Wanale Ridge is one of the hidden gems of Uganda however; it is a developing tourist attraction in the Eastern region of Uganda. It is a small, mountainous part of the country boasting not only a difficult hike supporting gorgeous views, but it’s also around the corner from a set of three thundering waterfalls, known as Sipi Falls. Wanale ridge in Mbale district is situated in the Eastern part of Uganda on the land of the Gishu speaking people. Although many people always mistake Wanale ridge to be part of Mount Elgon to be Mount Elgon, the hilltop is independently located right above Mbale town at a distance of about 7 Kilometres literally lying at the foot hills of ridge. It is visible to even the neighbouring districts of Tororo, Bukedea and Bududa.
A little bit of the historical information about Wanale ridge is that the hilltop was also named as “Nkokonjeru Rock” which is translated in English as “White Rock” by Semei Kakungulu who was a colonial agent during the colonial rule period. This towering ridge adjacent to Mbale town has shimmering stony hills that look like a white sheet that is why Semei Kakungulu named it the white cock. However, some people believe that Wanale hill was named after one of the sons of Masaba who was believed to be the elder of the Bagisu people. It is thought to be the origin of Nabarwa, the Kalenjin woman who declined to marry Masaba unless he gets circumcised thus circumcision of young boys as they turn into adulthood is a become as cultural norm (Kadodi) for the Bagisu people and this tradition is done every after a year. Wanale ridge has beckoned many climbers who visit Mbale since Sir H. Hesketh Bell, and then Her Majesty’s Commissioner made it a town on June 26, 1906 according to the Official Gazette of East Africa and Uganda Protectorate Vol. VIII No 161.
Hiking Wanale ridge requires good physical ability/fitness because the hilltop is raised at about 6,864 feet above sea level covering a huge portion of Bugisu land. From Mbale town, one can determine three splendid looking waterfalls which all originate from the mountain top and someone can mistake it for Mt Elgon. The 3 waterfalls make a splashing loud sound that and its glittering white rock coating is viewed from a far. The Wanale ridge is blessed with impressive caves, deep valleys, escarpments, rocks and a few water lined cliffs.
Hiking the Wanale hill is quite challenging as reaching its peak is exhilarating because of its steepness however; it takes about 1 hour to reach at the top of the hill depending on your physical ability. The hike takes you through the challenging nature in hills, jumping over rocks, small water streams, caves and forests, through the breath taking nature and forest walks over water streams. The hike through several homesteads with coffee, banana and carrot plantations also makes the hike very exciting while meeting the children barely dressed and barefoot and elders staring at you.
Hiking Wanale ridge is guided by a well-trained local guide whom you meet and provide a briefing about the hike and also share a few skills on how to reach at the top of the hike. Climbers are recommended to carry a backpack containing water, and snacks. For those who intend to swim, carry your swimming suite. As you get closer to the top of the hill, streams of water making water falls will be sighted, company tele-communication masts too will be sighted, and finally the top of the ridge provides great photographs. Standing at the top of the ridge offers a feeling of pride and greatness with such beautiful views. Wanale ridge has had a magical appeal for many who have been in Mbale district, as it looks to be a stone throw away from the town.
Wanale hill is blessed with fast water running waterfalls that can even be viewed while at Mbale town. One of the waterfalls called Namastyo make very deep tunnels of about 2 miles from the top through the bottom of the rocks. The waters fall from the top of the Wanale ridge giving beautiful views of the waterfalls down to a steep cliff onto the valley. The fall of the waters make a thunderous sound on to the rocks forming steam like mist environment hence a great place for a break.
During the hike, there several activities such as camping and sightseeing shine the light on Wanale Ridge as Bugisu’s temple of nature and some of the attractions you will find includes Caves and waterfalls. It is believed that there is a number of caves on the Wanale ridge however there is about one commonly known caves to people, that is the Khaukha cave which is believed to have been the home of the early Bamasaba people who dwelt in it before. Khaukha cave is well known for its well-designed walls and has significant water stream which is named Mwausa by the elders. Khaukha cave is along the western side of the ridge and it acts a stopover during the hike. The waterfall disappears down in the rocks under. It is completely obscured and immersed then the water re-emerges and hits the surface from its underground pathway in villages of Bumboi and Mooni. You will hear a clapping sound, a rumbling and roaring, a wave of white surging down the mountain side and a huge wall of mist crashing down.
Apart from hiking Wanale ridge, Mount Elgon also neighbours the towering ridge thus it is yet another spot for hiking experience in the Eastern part of Uganda during your Uganda safari. Mbale city is also blessed with fine coffee that is Arabic Coffee, this features coffee plantation tours in the area. Cultural tourism is also another attraction around the Wanale ridge ranging from the Bagisu interesting dishes like the Malewa, Bufukye, Makila, Kamalwa, Kumushelekhe and Shinoko. However, Malewa is the most prominent dish among the Basigu and is made out of the Bamboo shoots found only on Mount Elgon, these Bamboo shoots are dried above a fire place for about three days and later prepared as sauce to be eaten with Matooke.
Accommodation for Wanale ridge can be found around Mbale town since it is a few minutes’ drive from Mbale city. Your meals can also be prepared in Mbale town, snacks and drinking water for the hike. Accommodation around Mbale town area is affordable and easily accessed. We recognized few places they include; Elgon Hotel, Mbale resort Hotel, Kayegi Hotel, Wash and Wills Country hotel, Hotel Eldima, Sunrise Inn, Green Garden Hotel to mention a few.
