from 1 review
6 days
Daily Tour
20 people
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Mt. Elgon is a dormant volcano located on the border of Uganda and Kenya. It is the fourth highest mountain in East Africa, with its highest peak, Wagagai, reaching an elevation of 4,321 meters (14,178 feet). The mountain is a popular destination for hiking and trekking, offering a variety of trails for visitors of all skill levels, including the challenging peak hiking tour.
The tour typically takes between 5-7 days, depending on the pace of the hikers. The trail is well-marked and passes through several ecosystems, including montane forest, bamboo zone, and moorland, giving hikers the opportunity to observe the diverse flora and fauna of the mountain.
The peak hiking tour starts at the park headquarters, then proceeds to the Sasa trail. The trail is steep and rocky, and hikers must be in good physical condition to tackle this route. Along the way, hikers will pass through several villages, giving them the opportunity to interact with the local communities and learn about their culture and way of life.
The hike to the summit is challenging, with steep inclines and rocky terrain, but the views from the top are breathtaking, with a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The summit of the mountain is also a great place for bird watching, with several bird species that are native to the mountain.
It is important to be well-prepared for the hike, including bringing appropriate clothing and gear, such as waterproof clothing, hiking boots, warm clothing, and a sleeping bag. It is also important to be aware of the altitude, as hikers may experience symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. It’s also important to acclimatize before climbing to the peak.
Overall, the Mt. Elgon peak hiking tour offers a unique and unforgettable experience, with beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and a chance to challenge yourself physically and mentally. It’s an opportunity for you to test your physical limits and experience the beauty of nature at its best.
Day 1: Arrival in Sipi, Uganda. Check in to accommodation at Bluestay homestay or any other Lodge.
Day 2: Have break fast at 7:30 am. 8:30am we drive to Kapkwai gate. Between 830pm to 9 am, we clear the payments(Entrace fees, porters, meeting the porters, the cooks etc). At 9:30 we start hiking to our first hike destination , “ Tutum cave” at an elevation of (2667). While on the hike, we will have a good view of the plains, the communities settling around Mt Elgon National park boundaries. We will also get a chance walk through the secondary forest, bamboo forest, and the primary forest. This also an opportunity to observe the birds and wildlife in the forest habitant . We will camp at Tumtum cave for a night and plan for the next days’ hike
Day 3: We start the hike from Tutum cave to Kajere River camp at 8:30am. The hike takes 17km. The hike takes about 6 hours depending the pace of the hikers. While on the hike, you have the opportunity of walking through the extended primary forest, bamboo forest, the montane vegetation and part of heather land. We will camp at Kajere River camp cave for a night and plan for the next days’ hike
Day 4: We have breakfast between 7am - 8am Afterwards we have a briefing to prepare for the hike. We set off for Mude cave camp which stands at an elevation of 3500m. The hike is 22 km and would take 8 hour depending on the pace of the hikers. You will have the opportunity to go through the heatherland and see the second highest peak of the mountain called “Mubi” with an elevation of 4210m. You will also pass through the proposed camp called “Muyembe River Camp”. As we continue moving along we will have a chance to see senicios, giant leberias, beautiful landscapes of the mountain (gordges, valleys, calderas, moutain rivers). From there, desend to Mude cave camp, from where we will take a break from the long hike.
Day 5: This day is when we make our last hike to summit “Wagagai”. We start the hike as early as 6am. During this hike its not recommended to have breakfast, instead we encourage the hikers to carry enough snacks that they will eat while on the hike. The hike from Mude Cave Camp to and fro the summit is 18km. During the hike we shall have a chance to view jackson pool, Jackson summit, Jackson table, the crater lakes, Elgon Mountain on the Kenyan side, the caldera, and the hotspring. We will later make it to the summit “Wagagai” from where we will take several pictures and then start desending back to Mude cave camp. We will have lunch at the camp and prepare to get to the next camp. It will take us between 2 - 3 hours to get to the next camp - Sasa River Camp where we will take a break from the day.
Day 6: We have breakfast at 7:30am and we start descending down the mountain at 8:30. We walk through Mudang cliff ladders. While on the Mudang cliff ladders, you have the opportunity to have the sky view of the community settlments in the valley from where we will pass through as we continue our mountain descending journey. Once we reach the valley on a place called Bumasola trading center, we will pick local transport to Budadiri UWA office for check out.
Sipi Falls, Sipi, Uganda
Mount Elgon, Uganda
Sipi Falls, Sipi, Uganda
Sipi Falls, Sipi, Uganda
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