A starter guide to planning a safari to Mount Elgon national park

A starter guide to planning a safari to Mount Elgon national park: So, you have decided it’s time to go on a safari to Mount Elgon national park? What a wonderful decision! Of all the destinations and experiences around Uganda, a safari in Mount Elgon national park is the ultimate travel bucket list item. A trip to eastern Uganda would be incomplete without a safari to Mount Elgon national park.
To plan a safari to Mount Elgon national park you need some basic information. The information does help you to have a travel experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Mount Elgon national park is one of the tourist destinations in Uganda with a number of attractions that you can explore while there.
A starter guide to planning a safari to Mount Elgon national park

Where is Mount Elgon national park found?

Mount Elgon national park is located in Uganda in the eastern part of the country. The 1110 sq. km piece of land is found in Mbale district on the borders of Uganda and Kenya. 110 sq. km piece of land is found in Uganda and about 96 sq. km piece of land is found in Kenya. The national park was gazetted in 1992 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect different attractions that were in the park at the time.

What attractions are found in Mount Elgon national park

Mount Elgon national park is 1110sq .km with lots of attractions in different areas of the park. Among the attractions include animals, birds, water sources, rocks, vegetation, and Mount Elgon. During a safari in Mount Elgon national park, tourists will be able to explore the different attractions within the park by taking part in different tourism activities organized there.
Things to do in Mount Elgon national park
Mount Elgon national park has so many attractions (birds, Mount Elgon, lakes, animals) meaning that tourists can have different activities while in the park. Different activities are organized within the park to enable tourists to have an opportunity to explore the different attractions that are within the park.
Some of the activities within Mount Elgon national park include birding watching where birders get to see more than 300 bird species, hiking Mount Elgon, nature walks, community tours, and visiting the rocks to mention but a few. Tourists can do as many activities as they can within Mount Elgon national park if they have time and can afford to do them.

What are the best months to visit Mountain Elgon park?

January, February, June, July, August, September, and December are the best months to visit Mount Elgon national park. These months are the best because they have good weather conditions which are characterized by little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. Tourists who come from countries that have winter conditions do enjoy this type of weather.
Tourists who visit Mountain Elgon park during the dry season will find the vegetation short and scattered meaning that they will have clear views of the different attractions in the park. There will be little or no rainfall in the park and the hiking/walking trail will be dry and passable giving tourists access to most of the park areas.
Tourists can still visit Mount Elgon park from March to May and October to November. These months are called the rainy season months because they receive too much rainfall and little sunshine. These months favor budget travelers because they get discounted tour packages. The months also favor the birders because there Is plenty of food for birds and that is the same period when migratory birds are in the park.

What to pack for Mount Elgon national park safari?

There are specific items you need to pack for your safari in Mount Elgon national park so as to have the best time while there. Among the items, you need to pack include a waterproof backpack, waterproof hiking shoes, a pair of gaiters, long cotton stocks, long-sleeved clothes, a sleeping bag, sunglasses, hats, gloves, toilet tissue, torch, headlamp, sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water bottle, energy giving snacks, a camera, and a pair of binoculars.

Getting to Mount Elgon national park

Road transport is the most convenient way of getting to Mount Elgon national park in the eastern part of Uganda. Kampala/Entebbe is the starting point of most safaris in Uganda including those heading to Mount Elgon national park. Tourists starting from Entebbe will drive through Kampala, Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, and then Mbale where the park is located. This drive from Entebbe/Kampala can take about 7 to 8 hours.