Mount Elgon Hike – let’s summit Wagagai Peak
Mount Elgon is an extinct volcanic mountain located on the Uganda-Kenya border. It is one of the oldest volcanic mountains in East Africa and it probably erupted first about 24 million years ago and remained active for 14 million years. It was once Africa’s highest mountain far exceeding Kilimanjaro which is currently 5895 meters high. Due to erosion mount Elgon was reduced to 4321 meters making it the 4th highest peak of East Africa and 8th highest on the African continent.
The Mount Elgon hike gives you that opportunity to experience a huge Caldera of around 5 miles (8km) in diameter and is one of the widest calderas in the world. It covers over 4000 km² and consists of largely fragmented rocks and a smattering of lava.
The caldera of Mount Elgon has several lakes and pools as well as springs created by Pleistocene glacial activity.
The highest peak of Mount Elgon is called Wagagai Peak standing at 4321 meters and lies on the northwest caldera rim. Other Peaks are Sudet 4303 in the south, Mutiri 4210 meters in the north, and Tacwon Summit 4165 in the east.
Mount Elgon provides a home for wildlife and conservation of biodiversity within the Mount Elgon National Park. The black colobus and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and over 300 unique bird species, such as hornbill, mustached green tinter birds, and alpine chart among others.
The higher slopes are protected by national parks in Kenya and Uganda creating an extensive transboundary conservation area that has been declared a UNESCO Man and biosphere reserve.
The people who live on the slopes of Mount Elgon are the Sabinys and the Bagisum who are known as the Bomasola, which speak Kupsabiny and Luma Sabo respectively. The Bagisu is believed that the mountain was found by their father Mosaba and refer to the mountain by the name “Mosaba”
Generally, they are welcoming people and hospitable to the visitor or tourists as well. They are both enriched with cultures which are mainly circumcision.
Mount Elgon provides a home for wildlife and conservation of biodiversity within the Mount Elgon National Park. The black colobus and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and over 300 unique bird species, such as hornbill, mustached green tinter birds, and alpine chart among others.
The higher slopes are protected by national parks in Kenya and Uganda creating an extensive transboundary conservation area that has been declared a UNESCO Man and biosphere reserve.
The people who live on the slopes of Mount Elgon are the Sabinys and the Bagisum who are known as the Bomasola, which speak Kupsabiny and Luma Sabo respectively. The Bagisu is believed that the mountain was found by their father Mosaba and refer to the mountain by the name “Mosaba”
Generally, they are welcoming people and hospitable to the visitor or tourists as well. They are both enriched with cultures which are mainly circumcision.
1 Day mount Elgon hike exploration
Nature walk in Mount Elgon Forest
Mt Elgon nature walks consist of short hikes within Mt Elgon forest and it is suitable for low-budget travelers and those who don’t manage hiking to the summit or Wagagai Peak due to bad conditions or lack of time.
Mt. Elgon forest is enriched with flora and fauna beautiful caves and waterfalls.
It also has a primary and secondary forest with a variety of bird species and a diversity of animals like black Colobas monkeys, and white and blue Colobas monkeys.
The following are the trails
1. Chebonet Falls loop which is 5km and takes 3 hours
2. Bamboo forest loop which is 7kms and takes 5 hours of hiking through the Kaptum cave and Chebonet waterfalls.
3. Tutum cave hike which is 11km and takes 9 hours of hiking.
Mount Elgon Day Hike Nature Walk starts at $35,- and is usually a 1-day walk or just a few hours, depending on the chosen route.
3 days or more Mount Elgon Hike
Consist of 3 major trails that lead hikers to the summit which are as follows.
Mount Elgon Hike Sasa-Trail up and down the same route
This route takes 3 -4 days of hiking
Day 1: Budadiri – Bumasola by boda-boda (7km). then Bumasola – Sasa river camp (6km) which will take four hours in the mountain forest zone.
Day 2: Sasa River Camp – Mude Cave Camp (5km) which will take three hours then after lunch proceed to Bingana Falls, which is 5 km and will take two hours, and back to Mude Camp for the second night.
Day 3: Mude Cave Camp – Wagagai Peak which is 4321 meters to around 18 km will take seven to nine hours and back to Mude camp for the third night.
Day 4: Mude Camp – Bumasola which is 11,5 km and takes five to seven hours. From there returning back to Budadiri and back to your Lodge or next destination.
Price for the 3-4 days Mount Elgon hike to Wagagai Peak varies between $500 – $650 depending on duration.
The package includes:
Hiking fee – 3 days / 4 days
Camping fee – 2 nights / 3 nights
Tent- 2 nights / 3 nights
Sleeping bag and mat – 2 nights / 3 nights
Cook – 3 days / 4 days
2 Porters – 3 days / 4 days
Food and water – 3 days / 4 days
Boda Boda facilitation – 2 way
1 night in Sipi before the hike
Mount Elgon Hike Sasa-Sipi trail (4-6 days)
Day 1: Bumasola – Sasa River Camp which is 6 km and takes four hours.
Day 2: Sasa – Mude Camp which is 5,5 kilometers and takes 3 hours.
Day 3: Mude Camp – Wagagai Peak which is 18 km and it takes 6-7 hours.
Day 4: Mude Camp – Kageri which is 21 km and takes 6 -7 hours.
Day 5: Kigeri camp to Tutum cave which is 16 km and takes 4-5 hours.
Day 6: Tutum cave to Kapkwai forest which is 11 km and takes 3-4 hours.
Mount Elgon Hike Piswa trail (4-6 days)
The Piswa trail starts from Kapkwai Ranger Station and it takes 6 days.
Day 1: Kapkwata to Piswa which is 12 kilometers and takes 4-6 hours.
Day 2: Piswa to Hunter Cave which is 17 km and takes 6-8 hours.
Day 3: Hunter Cave to Mude Cave Camp which is 24 km and takes 7-9 hours, Then to the hot springs.
Day 4: Mude Cave Camp to Wagagai Peak which is 18 km and takes 7-9 hours. Then back to Mude Camp
Day 5: Mude Camp to Biringana Falls to Sasa River Camp which is 8.5 km and takes 4-5 hours.
Day 6: Sasa River camp to Bumasola to Budadiri which is 13 km and takes 5-8 hours.
Price for the 4-6 days Mount Elgon hike to Wagagai Peak varies between $650 – $800 depending on duration.
The package includes:
Hiking fee – 4 days – 6 days
Camping fee – 3 nights – 5 nights
Tent- 3 nights – 5 nights
Sleeping bag and mat – 3 nights – 5 nights
Cook – 4 days – 6 days
2 Porters – 4 days – 6 days
Food and water – 4 days – 6 days
Boda Boda facilitation – 2 way
1 night in Sipi before the hike
Requirements for the Mount Elgon hike
During the dry season which starts from December to April
- Swimming costume, if you would like to swim and have a natural shower at the waterfall.
- Good hiking shoes, lights boots, or sneakers
- Water and snacks.
During the rainy season which is from April to November
- Good hiking boots
- Waterproof bags raincoats or jacket
- Water and snacks
As we improvise with the walking sticks at the start of the hiking.
