Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda Tour

When to go: The best time to visit Mount Elgon is May and September, November and December.
Visiting Mount Elgon is an exciting trekking experience, for the interesting flora and fauna, the spectacular water falls (including Sipi falls), several caves and panoramic views. The Mountain lies on the border and it is shared with Kenya. It is home to the Bagisu and the Sabiny people and the area is well known for the high cultivation of good Arabic coffee including Bugisu quality. While ascending the peaks, you meet four different vegetation zones: the montane forest, the bamboo forest, the heath zone and moorland zone, where you can find some endemic species of plants like giant Lobelia elgonensis, particular groundsels, everlasting flowers. At the moment there are not huts available in the mountains, but nice designated camping sites.

The trekking circuit of Mount Elgon

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 – From Kapkway to Tutum Camp (2667m)
In the morning from Mbale, passing via Sipi, you reach Kapkway Exploration Center, UWA headquarter. After arranging the guide and porters, with food and camping gear, you start walking up to Tutum Cave Camp (2667m) through montane and bamboo forest. Tutum cave is spectacular hidden within the forest. Dinner and overnight. Distance of the day: 11 km. Altitude of the day: 900m.

Day 2 – From Tutum Camp to Kajeri Camp (3383m)
After breakfast proceed the hike to Kajeri Camp (3383m) for dinner overnight. Distance of the day: 17 km. Altitude of the day: 900m.

Day 3 – From Kajery Camp to Mude Camp (3.500m)
After breakfast walk sloping down after Muyembe cam to Mude cave Camp (3.500m), where you join the Sasa Trial. Dinner and overnight. Distance of the day: 25 km. Altitude of the day: 120 m.

Day 4 – 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 of the day: 18 km. Altitude of the day: 820m.

Day 5 – 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 is particularly tough with rugged climb of over 1600m.

Day 1 – 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 is about 8 km. and takes average 7 to 8 hours walk.  Altitude in a day: 1.700m.

Day 2 – 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 of the day about 5 km. and 4 to 5 hours walk. Altitude of the day: 600m.

Day 3 – 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 of the day: 18 km.and 8 to 9 hours walk. Altitude of the day: 820m.

Day 4 – From Mude Camp back to Budadiri
After breakfast descend to Budadiri and back to Mbale.

NOTE: The full package can be organised on request including the transfers from and back to Kampala and overnights in Mbale.

The price includes:
Full board and meals during the hike
Camping tent and camping gear
Guide and one porter, carrying max 18kg
Cook
Park Entrance fees

The price excludes:
Equipment for the hike
Extra Luggage
Changes in the program itinerary
Transportation from Kampala and return

Required equipment and organization of the hike

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

How the hike is organized: The group or the individual person is accompanied by a Guide and by one “porters”, 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 gears. The cook will help organizing food while the porter will help in the camping. Drinking water will be found in the mountain, however it is advised  to bring disinfecting tablets.