Activities in Mount Elgon national park

Activities in Mount Elgon national park: Mount Elgon national park is where tourists meet the world’s largest caldera. It’s home to so many attractions and a place where tourists can be part of a number of activities. Activities in Mount Elgon national park are those things that tourists can do while on a safari in the park. Mount Elgon national park is home to mammals, primates, birds, lakes, and Mount Elgon.

Mount Elgon is the major attraction in Mount Elgon national park bringing thousands of tourists from different parts of the world. Another attraction is the birds which are over 300, water sources, and the world’s largest caldera which is found at the summit of the mountain. With so many attractions in Mount Elgon national park, here are some of the activities that can be done while on a safari to the park.

Activities can be done in Mount Elgon national park

Hiking mount Elgon

This is one of the best activities done in Mount Elgon national park. Mount Elgon is located on the eastern side of the national park where it extends to Kenya. Hiking is the main activity done here by hikers from different parts of the country. Mount Elgon happens to be the second tallest mountain in Uganda hence attracting lots of travelers in Uganda who are hikers.

Hiking on Mount Elgon is carried out every day with hikers aiming at reaching the Wagagai peak which is the tallest point on this mountain. Hikers can reach Wagagai peak using any of the two trails on the mountain (Sasa trail, Piswa trail). Sasa trail is short and tough while the Piswa trail is long but gentle. There is the Sipi trail which is still developing.

Hiking Mount Elgon starts with a briefing from the park authorities who tell the hikers about the rules and regulations of the activity. Later hikers and guides are driven to the starting point of the hiking trails where those who need porters can hire them. Hiking is led by guides and the hikers keep in the group following. During the hiking, hikers are able to meet and see different attractions along the way. Those who reach the summit at Wagagai peak will have an opportunity to see the surrounding areas and the world’s largest caldera.

Bird watching

Bird watching is another activity that can be done in Mount Elgon national park. The national park has over 300 bird species with over 50 afro tropical highland biome species. These birds can be seen during nature walk activities where armed ranger guides and birders move around the park looking for different bird species.

During bird watching in Mount Elgon national park, tourists will be able to see bird species such as Elgon francolin, grey crowned crane, black cuckoo, yellow billed barbet, ayres’s hawk-eagle, ross’s turaco, common scimitarbill, European bee-eater, black goshawk, African emerald cuckoo, red chested cuckoo, white-headed woodhoopoe, red chested owlet, black and white casqued hornbill, barn owl.

Rameron pigeon, black-tailed oriole, chinspot batis, brown crowned tchagra, purple-throated cuckoo shrike, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, African paradise flycatcher, double-toothed barbet, tropical boubou, red-fronted parrot, black-throated apalis, African wood owl, pied cow, white-necked raven, northern fiscal, African black-headed oriole, doherty’s bushshrike, grey throated barbet, and cinnamon chested bee-eater to mention but a few.

Nature walks

On a safari to Mount Elgon national park, tourists can always take part in nature walk activities. Nature walks in Mount Elgon national park are organized to enable tourists to get so close to nature. The nature walks are carried out in different areas of the park where different attractions are seen. During nature walks, tourists see animals, birds, water sources, vegetation and even get to meet some of the local people living around the park.

When to visit Mount Elgon national park?

Although Mount Elgon is accessible at any time of the year, we recommend tourists to visit during the dry season. June to September and December to February are the best times to visit Mount Elgon national park because they are characterized by plenty of sunshine and little rainfall. During the dry season, tourists find dry and passable trails while the vegetation is short with good views of wildlife.

Tourists can still visit Mount Elgon national park during the rainy season which is from March to May and October to November. These months are called the rainy season because they are characterized by too much rainfall and little sunshine. The rain makes the hiking/walking trails muddy and slippery and the vegetation is tall with unclear views of some of the attractions within the park.