Mountain Elgon is the largest Volcanic Mountain in Uganda. It’s one of Uganda’s oldest physical features and first erupted 24 million years ago.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Mountain Elgon is home to the Bagisu and the Sabiny, with the marginalized Ndorobos forced to dwell deep within the forest of Benet. The Bagisu, also known as the BaMasaba, consider Mountain Elgon to be the embodiment of their founding father Masaba and refer to the mountain by this name.
Having the largest volcanic base in the world of 4,000km², Mt. Elgon is bordering Uganda and Kenya.
This park protects over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Lammergeyer. The ultimate goal on reaching the top of Mountain Elgon is not the final ascent to the 4321m Wagagai Peak, but the descent into the vast 40km² caldera.
Detailed itinerary:
6 DAYS MOUNTAIN ELGON TOUR AND GORILLA SAFARI
Day 1: Kampala – Kapchorwa
Leave Kampala in the morning, drive towards Mountain Elgon in Kapchorwa district for relaxation at Sipi River Lodge is located.
Day 2: Tour Sipi Falls
Sipi falls is a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mountain Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border. You will have dinner and overnight at Sipi River Lodge.
Day 3: Drive to Budadiri/ Bumasaba
After breakfast, drive you to the trail head at Budadiri/ Bumasola to start hiking – Ascending to the Wall of Death! Although conjuring horrifying images, this is simply a steep section where Uganda Wildlife Authority has constructed a series of ladders, ramps and boardwalks through the cliffs. Relax and overnight at Mude caves camp. (1770m – 3500m)
Day 4: Ascend to the highest peak- Wagagai
After breakfast, leave the camp for the summit at Wagagai and then back to the camp. (3500m – 4321m – 3500m) The Wagagai peak is the unobvious high point of the Caldera- view lots of attraction while standing at the Uganda’s second highest point after Margarita peak on Rwenzoris.
Day 5: Descend back to Budadiri or Bumasaba
Slope back to Budadiri for relaxation as you wait for dinner and overnight at Sipi River Lodge.
Day 6: Drive back to Kampala
After breakfast, you will drive to Kampala city for relaxation as you wait for dinner and overnight at Kampala Serena Hotel.
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, drive to the home of mountain Gorillas in Uganda. The amazing journey will take you through the African traditional home stead – stopover at the Uganda Equator for memorable photographs and water experiments. Proceed to Mbarara town for lunch and then to the park for dinner and overnight at Mahogany Spring Lodge.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking
After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters (with packed lunch and water). Have 30 minutes briefing about gorilla tracking. Thereafter, join your trackers and head up the slopes of the Forest to visit one of the habituated groups of gorillas. The trek is quite strenuous, so you should be able to hike for 2-5hours on steep mountain trails before meeting gorillas camouflaged in thick vegetation. Enjoy their view and take photographs for a maximum of one hour. Return for lunch and relax as you wait for dinner and overnight at Mahogany Spring Lodge.
Day 9: Drive back to Entebbe Airport – Departure
After breakfast, you will drive back to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight back home.