Mount Elgon national park in Uganda is among the largest volcanic base in the entire world at 4,000km2.  Mountain Elgon National Park is situated in Uganda on the border of Kenya and it is the largest and oldest volcanic mountain in East Africa. It has 80 km in diameter and stretches more than 3,000m above the surrounding plains.  Also has higher altitudes which providing a refuge for fauna and flora.

Mountain Elgon national park is a natural habitat for over 3000 bird species, including the endangered Lammergeyer, forest monkeys, elephants, Small antelopes as well as buffaloes that are usually staying on the mountainside. Mountain Elgon is managed by the national park in Kenya and Uganda, making it a conservation area that was declared a Biosphere Reserve& UNESCO Man

The Size of Mount Elgon: 1,121km²

Mountain Elgon is the one of oldest physical features in Uganda, it first erupted around 24 million years back. Mountain Elgon was once the highest mountain in Africa beyond Kilimanjaro’s current 5,895m. As it is among the oldest volcanic mountain, this has led to reducing its height to 4,321m and made it to be the 8^th highest peak on the continent of Africa as well as the 4^th peak in East Africa.

Mountain Elgon National Park is home to four tribes that is the Bagisu, Sabaot, Sabiny, and Ndorobo. The Bagisu are also known as Bamasaba and they take Mount Elgon as to be the picture of their founding father Masaba.

Climbing mountain Elgon national park is the best an amazing experience in East Africa and boasts a milder climate, lower elevation and its price is less than climbs in neighboring Tanzania or Kenya. This mountain has 5 major peaks and Wagagai is the largest, it is found in parts of Uganda. Mountain Elgon is the second tallest volcanic mountain in Uganda and the 8^th peak in Africa.

The lower slopes of Mount Elgon are found in a tropical montane forest vegetation with extensive stands of bamboo. Above 3000m the forest fades into heath and then afro-alpine moorland, and covers the caldera, a collapsed crater which takes 40 sq. km. The moorland is covered with rare plant species, wildflowers and you will see duiker bounding a long grass plus lammergeyer. You can also see some primates like Red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and countless bird species, including the rare Jackson’s francolin, white-starred forest robi, and alpine chat and among others.

Some of the exhilarating tourist activities on Mount Elgon National Park

Walks to the fall

Walks to the fall tend to be muddy but they will offer you beautiful views of the area. While on your way to the bottom of all three levels of waterfalls, but you have to get a local guide as it is not possible to walk off on your own, this local guide will help you explain the flora and fauna as well as negotiate the passage through private property.

Forest Exploration.

The Forest Exploration Centre has 3 trails which take between 3 and 7 km. They will offer you an excellent opportunity to experience Mt. Elgon’s unique plants and wildlife within few hours.  A fourth trail has also opened to reach the enormous Tutum Cave which covering 11 km from the Centre.  It will take you through various vegetation types and give you a chance to see wildlife such as blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, and a lot of bird species.

Bird watching.

Mountain Elgon is the best place for bird watching mostly around Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre. It supports the African Goshawk; White-chinned Prinia, Chinspot Batis, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Dohertys and Luhders Bush-shrikes, Baglafecht Weaver, Moustached Tinkerbird, Hartloub`s Turaco, African Blue Flycatcher,  Tacazze Sunbird, Olive- and Bronze-naped pigeons, Black Kite and Black-collared Apalis, Cinnamon Bee Eater, Chubb’s Cisticola.

Hiking and nature walk.

Hiking and nature walk in mountain Elgon national park is a very interesting activity and it has a wonderful experience which you should not miss out on. While hiking the mount, you will get an opportunity to see and the beautiful views across the caldera to both sides of Kenya and Uganda as well as down to the plains below.

After climbing mountain Elgon, you can also visit Bwindi impenetrable national park for a wonderful experience that is gorilla trekking and get an opportunity to explore more about these primates. You can visit Murchison falls national park and take a boat cruise on the river Nile where you will see various water wildlife animals like hippos, crocodiles and many more or you can do a game drive and view a lot of wildlife animals such as buffaloes, giraffes,  Uganda kob, hippos plus countless bird species.