3 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda
This 3 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda trip will lead you to the East of Uganda which will see you have a glance at mountain Elgon for hiking. On this trip, you can also choose to visit Sipi falls, community walks, etc. on your way you will be able to see a green environment including a sugar plantation in Lugazi and the Mabira forest. These 3 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda takes you to Eastern Uganda where you will engage in mountain/hiking, and visit Sipi falls and the source of the Nile. The Uganda safari starts and ends in Kampala.
3 days Mount Elgon Safari Highlights
Transfer from Kampala to Mbale
Transfer back to Kampala
3 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda in Details
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Mbale
You will start your day with morning breakfast at your hotel, our professional guide will pick you up for transfer from Kampala to Mbale town and then to Sipi Falls in Mount Elgon National Park in Eastern Uganda. On your way, you will pass by Mabira forest and Lugazi sugar plantations as well as tea plantation estates.
You will also have a stopover en route to Namawojollo well known for roasted roadside chicken and roasted plantain is popularly known as Gonja in most of the local languages used within the region. Other features to spot on your way include; wetlands, tea plantations, Lake Victoria, River Nile, Owen falls dam, and Jinja town.
At Mabira forest you can make a stopover. Here you will get a chance to see different tree species and take some pictures. You will have lunch en route, and you will arrive in Mbale town early afternoon.
Go to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offices in Mbale town for registration and later transfer to Sipi falls for your accommodation. Here you will have time for relaxation while hearing the sounds of the falls, dinner, and overnight stay here.
Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda
Recommended Accommodation facilities:
- Mount Elgon hotel
- Mbale resort hotel
- Sipi river lodge
Midrange
- Kayegi hotel
- Wash and wills country home Mbale
Budget
- Masha hotel
- Noah’s ark hotel
- Wimpey hotel
- Mount Elgon view hotel
Day 2 of 3 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda: Hiking Mount Elgon
After the morning breakfast, set out a packed lunch for yourself before meetings the park guides who will give all the necessary briefing you and be ready to guide through the trails on the mountains, there will also be porters that can help you carry your luggage just in case it is heavy. The amount paid to the porter is entirely agreed upon between you and the porter s there is no stand amount that has been set out.
You will start with any trail you may wish to start with such as Kapkwai, Kapkwata, or Budadiri Forest Exploration Centre. During the hike, you will have a great adventurous time. Later, return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight
Recommended Accommodation:
- Mount Elgon hotel
- Mbale resort
- Sipi river lodge
Midrange
- Kayegi hotel
- Wash and wills country home Mbale
Budget
- Masha hotel
- Noah’s ark hotel
- Wimpey hotel
- Mount Elgon view hotel
Day 3 of the 3 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda: Transfer Back to Kampala
Start your day with a light breakfast meal as you ready to set off for Kampala. On your way, you will have a stopover in town and head to different attraction sites around such as Itanda Falls, Bujagali falls and the source of the Nile, Masese fish landing site, and jinja sailing club among others. Also, have your lunch at one of the hotels around the city and continue to Kampala.
End of the Trip
3 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda Inclusions
Safari includes:
- Transportation in a tour van/Land cruiser
- Service of an English -speaking tour guide/driver
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Park admissions
- Accommodation on full board
- Entrance fees to all destinations as per the program
- Transfer to and from the airport
Safari exclusions
- All activities not mentioned in the program
- Phone calls bills
- Tips
- International transfers
- Gratitude to tour guides
- Personal insurance
- Personal effects of any nature
- Hotel fees before and after the safari
Background Information of the 3 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari Uganda
Mount Elgon is an eye-catching volcanic mountain found in the east of Uganda and also shared with Kenya as it is at the border of the two countries, it is said to be the 4th highest East African Mountain standing at an altitude of 4,321M high, and it’s an extinct volcano with the main activity of hiking. It is slightly tricky to climb to the top (Wagagai peak), and hence hikers are expected to be fit enough if they aim to reach their highest peak!
The mountain has a number of trails that the hikers use to hike to the top. The mountain is also home to the magnificent Sipi fall, gorges, hot springs, and caves. Numerous animal species like; elephants, forest monkeys, and small bird species. Remember that a complete circuit of hiking/trekking takes around 4 to 5 days!
Mount Elgon National Park
At 4,000 square kilometers, Mt. Elgon has the largest volcanic base in the world. Located on the Uganda- Kenya border, it is also the oldest and largest solitary, volcanic mountain in East Africa. It is a vast form, 80km in diameter, and rises more than 3,000m above the surrounding plains. The mountain’s cool heights offer respite from the hot plains below, with the higher altitudes providing refuge to flora and fauna
Mount Elgon National Park is home to over 300 species of birds, including the endangered lammergeyer. The higher slopes are protected by national parks in Uganda and Kenya, creating an extensive transboundary conservation area that has been declared a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve
A climb on Mt. Elgon’s deserted moorlands unveils a magnificent and uncluttered wilderness without a summit- an oriented approach common to many mountains. The ultimate goal of the hiking safari is to reach the top of Mt. Elgon with the final ascent to the 4,321M Wagagai peak, but the descent into the vast 40 square kilometer caldera.
Sipi Falls in Mount Elgon
Sipi Falls
These are a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda in the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of Sironko and Mbale. The waterfalls lie on the edge of the mountain Elgon National Park near the Kenya border.
The Sipi falls area is the starting point for many hikes up mountain Elgon. The most popular route starts in Budadiri and follows the Sasa trail to the summit and then descends down the Sipi trail back into the Sipi falls. Hikes around the falls offer stunning views of Karamoja plains, Lake Kyoga, and the slopes of mountain Elgon.
With a cooler climate than most of the other areas, Sipi falls is a nice place to unwind, relax and literally chill out away from the daily hustle of town and town life. Being on the foothills of Mt. Elgon, Sipi falls, offers a number of alternatives to the mainstream river activities in and around Jinja.
Rob’s rolling rock, a local outfit trained by Italian climbers offers abseiling along the sides of the main 100 m Sipi waterfalls as well as climbing on 14 bolted sport routes with a range of difficulty. Other activities include hiking around the area
The Sipi River is named after the “sep” a plant indigenous to the banks of the river. Resembling a type of wild banana, sep is a medical plant, the translucent green frond with a bolt of the crimson rib is used for treating measles and fever.
The Sipi falls area is particularly famous for locally grown Bagisu arabica coffee. Bagisuarabica only grows at an altitude between 1,600 and 1,900 meters. Coffee tours are organized by guides with knowledge of coffee.
