Mount Elgon Hiking & Climbing: Mountain Hiking Safaris

Mount Elgon is a massive extinct shield volcano located on the border between Uganda and Kenya in the Eastern Part of Uganda. This mountain is one of the best destinations for Mountain Hiking safaris in Uganda – making it a perfect destination for climbers looking for a challenge away from the famous Rwenzori Mountains. It is the second highest point in Uganda after the famous Rwenzori Mountains with its highest peak, Wagagai, sitting at 4,321 meters (14,177 feet) above sea level. Mount Elgon Hiking & Climbing is a remarkable adventure experience that takes visitors through some of the most scenic elevations with stunning views of the vast landscapes across both Uganda and Kenya. Although this Mount Elgon is less popular when it comes to Mountain Hiking Safaris in Uganda or climbing adventure, especially because it is not located on the popular southwestern Uganda safari circuit, hiking & climbing Mount Elgon is rewarding and worth.

Mount Elgon is estimated to have formed 24 million years ago, making it one of the oldest volcanoes in East Africa—older than Mount Kilimanjaro as per the estimates by the geologists. This mountain has one of the largest intact volcanic calderas in the world, measuring roughly 8 km in diameter and covering about 40 square kilometers making it one of the largest high altitude calderas in Africa and the world at large. Unlike the most calderas in Africa, the Caldera on Mount Elgon formed millions of years ago and today the caldera is heavily eroded, shaped by centuries of rainfall and vegetation growth, giving it the new current look.

Climbing & Hiking Mount Elgon Experience – What to expect on a Mountain Hiking Safari on Mount Elgon

Hiking Mount Elgon offers visitors an unforgettable experience as they navigate through stunning landscape teeming with breathtaking natural beauty. Jusst all other hikes and climbs, the journey starts from the slopes where you pass through farmlands before reaching the lower montane forests. As you navigate the forest, you’ll witness different bird species, the rustle of colobus monkeys, and the scent of wild orchids. As you continue with your hike up the mountain, the towering trees fade away as you start witnessing the bamboo forests – you can also witness the stunning canopies below as you advance with your hike.

Higher up Mount Elgon, the scenery transforms dramatically into open moorlands teeming with giant lobelias and groundsel plants – visitors get a rare chance to witness this prehistoric atmosphere. You’ll pass through different area including the water falls and Caves – the nearby Sipi Fall add more beauty to your hike. You’ll finally reach the famous volcanic Caldera on top of the mountain as you near the summit.

The sweeping views of the vast caldera are rewarding (one of the largest high altitude Calderas in the world), you’ll witness its rugged rim encircling an immense basin carpeted with alpine vegetation and glistening streams. On clear days, the panorama stretches endlessly across the plains of Uganda and Kenya, allowing visitors to view the stunning region from above – especially at sunrise and sunset as the horizon melts into a haze of golden light.

The trekking circuit of Mount Elgon – Mountain Hiking Safari

Elgon Mountain Trekking 1. Sipi Trail 5 days 4 nights

This trail is easier and more gradual and it passes through interesting sites like Tutum cave.

Day 1 of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safari: From Kapkway to Tutum Camp (2667m)

Mountain Hiking Safaris

In the morning from Mbale, passing via Sipi, you will reach Kapkway Exploration Center, UWA headquarters.

After organizing the porters with the food supplies and camping gear, you start walking up to Tutum Cave Camp (2667m) through the montane and bamboo forest led by the guides.

Tutum cave is hidden within the forest. Dinner and overnight. Distance covered: 11 km. The altitude of the day: 900m.

Day 2 of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safaris: From Tutum Camp to Kajeri Camp (3383m)

After breakfast proceed the hike to Kajeri Camp (3383m) for dinner overnight. Distance covered: 17 km. The altitude of the day: 900m.

Day 3 of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safaris: From Kajery Camp to Mude Camp (3.500m)

After breakfast walk slowly down after Muyembe camp to Mude cave Camp (3.500m), where you join the Sasa Trial. Dinner and overnight. Distance covered: 25 km. The altitude of the day: 120 m.

Day 4 of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safaris: From Mude Camp to Wagagay Peak (4321 m) and return to Mude

After breakfast, you walk through the moorland zone up to the main peak, Wagagai, and return to the Mude campsite for dinner and overnight. Distance covered: 18 km. The altitude of the day: 820m.

Day 5 of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safaris: From Mude Camp descend to Budadiri

The trekking ends descending to Budadiri, the gate of the national park nearby Mbale.

Trekking 2. Sasa Trail 4 days 3 nights

Sasa trail is the fastest way to the main peak. However, on the first day, the ascent is particularly tough and rugged for over 1600m.

Day 1 of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safaris: From Budadiri to Sasa Camp (2.900m)

In the morning you reach Budadiri (1250 m), nearby Mbale town, at the gate of the Mount Elgon National Park.

After arranging the guide and porters, with food and camping gear, you start walking until Sasa River Camp (2.900 m) for the dinner and overnight.

The distance covered is about 8 km. and takes an average of 7 to 8 hours walk.  Altitude of the day: 1.700m.

Day 2 of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safaris: From Sasa camp to Mude Camp (3.500m)

After breakfast at the camping site, proceed through the forest to Mude Cave Campsite for dinner and overnight. Distance covered is about 5 km. and 4 to 5 hours walk. The altitude of the day: 600m.

Day 3 of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safaris: From Mude Camp to Wagagay Peak (4321 m) and return to Mude

After breakfast, you walk through the moorland zone up to the main peak, Wagagai, and return to the Mude campsite for dinner and overnight. Distance covered: 18 km. and 8 to 9 hours walk. The altitude of the day: 820m.

Day 4 of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safaris: From Mude Camp back to Budadiri

After breakfast descends to Budadiri and back to Mbale.

NOTE: Both Sipi and Sasa trails can be combined to make a seven day- full package on request.

Required equipment and organization of Elgon Mountain Hiking Safaris

Required equipment for the hike: rucksack, sleeping bag for low temperature and sleeping mat, one plate, cutlery, mug, knife, trekking shoes, poncho or raincoat, heavy warm jacket, hand gloves, scarf and hat, one jumper, a torch.

How the hike is organized: The group or the individual person is accompanied by a Guide and by one porter, who has the duty of transporting some of the luggage for up to 18kg per person (the rest is extra luggage and it will be chargeable at extra cost).

Acacia Safaris provides the food menu, cooking equipment, tents, and camping gear. The cook will help in organizing food while the porter will help with the camping.

Drinking water will be found in the mountain, however it is advised to bring disinfecting tablets.