Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National park is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda bordering Kenya. Mount Elgon National Park was gazetted in 1993. and it was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983. Mount Elgon covers a total area of 1,279Km2 where Uganda covers an area of 1,110Km (430) square meters and Kenya also covers a total area of 169km2 65 square meters.
Mount Elgon has several peaks including Wagagai peak which is the highest peak of the Mount. Other peaks including Jackson’s Summit which stands at 4165 meters, Kiongo peak at 4303, Mubiyi at 4210 meters.
Climate / Weather of Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon has the moist to moderately dry climate .it receives an average of around 3,000mm of rainfall annually, making which makes it a water catchment area, however the forest zone or area receives maximum rainfall.
Attractions in Mount Elgon National Park
Birds
Mount Elgon National park is a home to over 300 bird species including Jackson’s spur fowl, eastern bronze-naped pigeon, African Goshawk, Baglafecht Weaver, Black and White Casqued, Chin-spot Batis and the Baglafecht Weaver, black collared Apalis, Doherty’s and Luhder’s Bush-Shrikes, Golden Winged and Tacazze sunbirds, Hartlaub’s turaco, Mackinon’s Fiscal , Black-shouldered Kite, cubb’s Cisticola, Crowned Hornbills, eastern bronze-naped pigeon, , Ross’s and Hartlaubs Turacos, White-chinned Prinia Hartlaub’s turaco, Tacazze sunbird and many. The park has around 40 Endemic bird species which can be found in this Area.
These Endemic bird species include: Rwenzori Turaco (Gallirex johnstoni), Moorland Francolin, Moustached Green Tinkerbird and other more.
Wildlife
Mount Elgon National Park has a variety of animals including Defassa waterbuck, Elephants, Oribi, Bushbucks, Buffaloes and Spotted Hyena, also black-and-white monkey, buffallos
Sipi Falls
Mount Elgon is surrounded by a serie of beautiful three water falls that are very iconic and this fall has other 3 fall which are kapsurur falls, chebonet falls and wanele fall all the these located in sipi village in kopchorwa, mainly sipi is the heighst of all as it is 100 meters ,328 feet and gives the best hiking experience and breath taking.
Activities to do in Mount Elgon National Park
1.Bird watching in Mount Elgon National Park:
The park is home to over 300 bird species, making it an authentic spot for birdwatchers. From colorful sunbirds and turacos to views overhead, Mount Elgon offers ample opportunities for birdwatching of all those species.
2.Hiking Mount Elgon:
Mount Elgon is a paradise for hikers and trekkers, with a variety of trails catering to different fitness levels. The goal is normally to reach the Wagagai Peak as it is 40km with 14,177 feet, the highest point on the mountain, is a challenging but rewarding experience. However, mount Elgon has other peaks like sudek peak with 4,222 meters and 13852 feets, koitibos peak and mubiyi peak.
3.Nature walks :
Mount Elgon offers a good guided nature walk experience with amazing views in the forest zone through their traill like sasa trail, piswa trail and other more giving visitors an opportunity to explore Uganda’s diverse ecosystem and rich biodiversity.
4.Cultural Tours:
mount Elgon national park gives the tourists an opportunity to engage with different traditions, customs and how they are living their way of life by this we can refer to Bagisu tradition, dance and their culture at large.
Best Time to visit Mount Elgon National Park
The national park of operates and offers services all sessions around the year, although it is advised and good to visit the park when you can have the most out of it and then you are assured of the best experience around the park so in that case the best session to visit and tour the park can be around the dry session that can be time around June to august and December to march for the best experience however mount Elgon still carries on all around the year.
Conclusion
Mount elgon national park offers the best experience for all travelers, visitors and considered as the most high-ranking national park in Uganda among other Uganda national parks well known for giving the most epic memories to the visitors and best experience it gives from the views and sights of the mountain at its different peaks of its own, best at offering unmatched hiking experience by Uganda hiking tours/safaris.