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 hike to Wagagai peak
Mount Elgon Vegetation

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.

Mount Elgon Vegetation

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.

Mount Elgon Forest
Mount Elgon hiking trails
Mount Elgon Day hike Forest Exploration
Day Hike on Mount Elgon

3 DAYS MOUNT ELGON HIKE – BUSHIYI TRAIL

Bushiyi trail is the shortestest mount elgon hike to wagagai the highest peak of Mount Elgon.

This is considered an ideal for travelers who have few days to summit and return. The trail is found in Bududa District which is approximately 32km from Mbale city. Bududa is a place known of hills and steep valleys, since it’s hilly it requires travelers who are strong and physically fit to conquer to the peak ‘Wagagai ‘

The trail is surrounded with beautiful vegetation of both primary, secondary and bamboo forest with various animal species like the white and black colobus monkeys, caves , waterfalls and scenic landscape views.

 

ITINERARY

DAY 1
On day one of the hike, you will have an early morning breakfast at the hotel in Bududa. A motorcycle ride (boda boda) takes you from the hotel to the BUSHIYI ranger post which is run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

From there you will be briefed and meet the hiking team including the ranger guides, porters, and chefs, you will hike for 19km to DUBI camp through the rain tropical forest/ Montane rain forest, Then take a break at Shilonko camp for lunch. However, the first day ends at DUBI camp where you will have dinner and spend a night.

DAY 2
Have an early morning breakfast at DUBI camp and then continue hiking for 9km to Wagagai Peak, where you will be in a heath zone. Having left the Montane rainforest behind. The Heather Zone, it’s an open area that allows you to have breathtaking views of Mount Elgon. You will also see peaks on both the Kenyan and Ugandan sides.

Reaching the highest peak of Mount Elgon ‘Wagagai Peak’, you will feel a sense of accomplishment, having conquered the eighth-highest peak in Africa. After a long hike, you will feel happy to have reached the destination though exhausted.

Take photos and view the amazing landscape of Mount Elgon and after descending to DUBI camp, Relax and capture the sunset photos. After dinner enjoy your second and last day in the wilderness.

DAY 3
Descend to the BUSHIYI ranger post for official checkout. And this will make the end of your stay in the forest.

Hiking Mount Elgon Uganda

3 DAYS MOUNT ELGON HIKE PACKAGE

  • Hiking fees. (3 days)
  • Camping fees. (2 nights)
  • Tents. (2 nights)
  • Cook. (3 days)
  • 2 Porters. (3 days)
  • Meals. (3 days)
  • Sleeping bag &mat. ( 2 nights)
  • Boda boda. ( To & from)
  • Accommodation. ( 1 night B&B)

PRICE
Foreign non residents. $500 p.P
East African residents. UGX 1.000,000 p.P

4 DAYS MOUNT ELGON HIKE SIPI – BUSHIYI TRAIL

The 4 days Sipi – BUSHIYI trail is the most flexible hike to the Peak. The hike starts from Sipi at Kapkwai Exploration Center (Uganda Wildlife Authority office) and ends at BUSHIYI post (Uganda Wildlife Authority office) in Bududa District.

The hiking starts through the beautiful green lushed vegetation of the primary, secondary, and bamboo forest, here you will enjoy the stunning views of the changing vegetation zones from the Montane rain forest to the Heather vegetation zone that surrounds the hiking trail. As you continue your hike to the summit.

ITINERARY

DAY 1
You will have an early morning breakfast in Sipi before heading to the Kapkwai Exploration Center by either a car or a motorcycle. Check in at the Kapkwai Exploration Center gate where you will be briefed about what happens during the hike and get to know the hiking team including the ranger guides, porters, and chefs, before the hike starts. And you will hike until Tutum Cave.

After leaving the Kapkwai exploration center, you will see different species of plants and animals including the black and white colobus monkeys, velvet monkeys, medicine plants, bamboo forest, and a variety of bird species.

Hike for 11km to Tutum Cave Camp which is at an elevation of 2667m above sea level. Have lunch and rest for a while near the serene cave. After that proceed to Kajeri camp which is 14km away. Since it’s the longest day of hiking it requires a lot of mental preparation. Have enough rest as you spend your first night in the forest.

DAY 2
On the second day, you will leave Kajeri camp which is at an elevation of ( 3,383 m ) above sea level for Mawongogo cave camp.

DAY 3
The third day takes you from Mawongogo Cave camp to Wagagai Peak, As you get closer to the peak, you will see beautiful everlasting flowers before the vegetation becomes scanty leading you to a rocky place. At this point, you will start to see some amazing views of Kenyan peaks from a distance. Enjoy the cool breeze as you get closer to Wagagai Peak.
On reaching Wagagai Peak enjoy the magnificent view and take pictures. Leaving Wagagai Peak you descend to DUBI camp where you will rest for a night.

DAY 4
Finally, on the fourth day, you will leave DUBI camp, rest at Shilonko, and then head on to the BUSHIYI ranger post for official checkout.

Summit Wagagai Peak Mt Elgon

PACKAGE FOR 4 DAYS MOUNT ELGON HIKE

  • Hiking fees. (4 days)
  • Camping fees. ( 3 days)
  • Tent. (3 nights)
  • 2 portors. ( 4 days)
  • Meals. ( 4 days)
  • Sleeping bag &mat. ( 3 nights)
  • Cook. ( 4 days)
  • Boda boda. ( To & from)
  • Accommodation. ( 1 night B & B)

PRICE

Foreign non residents. $600 p.P.
East African residents. UGX 1,350,000 p.P.

Jacksons Pool Mount Elgon
Forest at cave on Mount Elgon
Wagagai Peak achievment

3 days or more Mount Elgon Hike Sasa Trail

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 and trekking trails

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.

summit Wagagai Peak

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.

Hiking Mount Elgon

More things to do on Mount Elgon

Sipi Falls Hike

Wanale Falls

Cave Adventure

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