Mount Elgon

The attraction is related to the countries:UgandaKenya

Elgon is an extinct volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya, the fourth highest mountain in Africa. It is located northeast of Lake Victoria. Mount Elgon is surrounded on all sides by rugged peaks – over 4,000 meters high. The volcano was named after the ancient Elgonyi tribe that once lived in caves on the southern slopes of the mountain. The Maasai call the volcano “Ol Doinyo Ilgoon” (or “Masawa”), which means “Woman’s Breast.”

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General Information

The mountain is also known for its salt caves, where elephants come en masse. The caves allow these graceful giants to obtain the necessary amount of the vital mineral, and tourists have the opportunity to observe this rare natural phenomenon.

Many herbivores experience what is known as “salt starvation” because their diet does not provide them with the necessary amount of nutrients and minerals, including salt, so they are forced to find an alternative source. In many safari parks, rangers leave salt for the animals, giving scientists and tourists a great chance to observe the herbivores gathering around the treat. In addition, sometimes even predators come to the salt to feast on it in their own way!

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In Mount Elgon National Park, elephants have discovered a natural source of salt, and therefore tourists often come here to watch the large herd of more than 100 animals gather every night in the vast caves in the volcanic formation of the ancient caldera to lick the naturally occurring salt that emerges from the rock due to intense rainfall. There are a total of four caves in the park: Kitum, Makineni, Chepnyalil and Ngwarisha, all of which can be explored. Kitum is the largest cave, going 200 meters deep into the mountain.

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In more remote caves often find shelter spotted hyenas and other animals, and in the vegetation around hides leopards, hoping for easy prey.

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Mount Elgon itself can be seen from Endebesse Bluff, offering panoramic views of the many gorges, lakes, rivers and hot springs lurking in the shadows of the mountain peaks.

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Elgon is much closer to Kampala than Ruwenzori, but tourism has always been less developed here. Mount Elgon National Park came into existence in 1993 and is in the lowest category: admission costs $25/day. (children $15).

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The nearest town Mbale (Mbale) is 3 hours by bus from Kampala. The park administration office (19-21 Masaba Rd., +256-045-33170) is located here. Group treks with climbing from UWA cost $90/person/day. Tents, sleeping bags and foams are available for hire at any of the many campsites or at the UWA office in Mbale – prices range from Sh5,000-15,000. Shoes, warm summit clothing and a rain cape must be your own.

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With a diameter of up to 80 km and an elongated caldera at least 8 km wide, Elgon is the most powerful shield volcano in Africa and one of the largest in the world. Now its heavily eroded slopes abound with caves and its foothills with forests. The first European to summit Elgon was Englishman Frederick Jackson – it happened in 1889, that is, in the same year as the conquest of Kilimanjaro. The volcano is considered one of the symbols of both Uganda and neighboring Kenya: the rugby cup played annually between these countries is named after the mountain.

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Elgon is surrounded by relatives of Kenya’s Maasai people. The herders of the Kalenjin people are known for their running abilities. Other aboriginal talents lie in the military field: a few years ago the Ugandan authorities had to sweat disarming the rebellious Sabaot tribe.

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The bus station and the required matatu parking lot are located at opposite ends of Mbale, so you can’t do without a cab (Sh5,000) or boda-boda (if luggage is small, Sh1,000). From the parking lot at Kumi Rd. taxi park (aka Clock Tower taxi park), cars exit on the Mbale-Moroto highway and turn right north of town onto the road that skirts Elgon from the north and heads toward the Kenyan town of Kitale. At varying distances to the right there are minor paths leading to the three tourist centers of the national park – Budadari (about 30 km, 1 hr, about 5000 sh.), Sipi (about 50 km, 1.5 hr” about 10000 sh.) and Kapchorwa (about 60 km, 2 hr, about 15000 sh.). Budadari is home to the UWA office and is the start of the closest route to Mbale along the Sasa River – hence the name Sasa trek. Climbing this trail takes about eight hours and requires an overnight stay (there are 3 camps with tents and huts along the trail).

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In Sipi there are famous waterfalls flying off a steep ledge 70-100 meters high, picturesque villages of natives and Manyara Caves. Near the falls, a second trek begins, leading to the Elgon Caldera via the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre (there is a UWA post). There is another group of caves near the center. The longest route begins at Kapkchorwa with two campsites, the first at the park service post at Piswa, where a side trail branches off the main route to the village of Kapkwata.

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Mt. Elgon is well irrigated by rainfall, so there are many rivers running down the slopes. The Sipi is the most beautiful, but far from the only water cascade in this national park. If the most beautiful Elgon waterfalls belong to Uganda, the most famous cave is in the Kenyan sector of the massif. This fame is of a bad kind: Kitum Cave is considered a natural reservoir of deadly viruses that have already killed several travelers.

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Elgon is home to rare colobus monkeys and hundreds of bird species, and the rivers on the volcano’s slopes are home to trout. UWA fishing permits can be purchased at any service office or at Sipi River Lodge ($50/1 d.). They also rent spinning rods and other gear ($30/1 day).

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