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Climbing Mount Elgon

Climbing Mount Elgon takes you to conquer the second-tallest mountain in Uganda an extinct volcano in the east of Uganda and on the western side of Kenya

Climbing Mount Elgon

Climbing Mount Elgon takes you to conquer the second-tallest mountain in Uganda. Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano inside Mount Elgon national park on the eastern side of Uganda and on the western side of Kenya. Having the largest volcano base which is about 80 kilometers in diameter, Mountain Elgon rises to 4000 sq. km.

Mount Elgon has five major peaks which are Wagagai at 4321 meters, Sudek at 4302 meters, Koitobos at 4222 meters, Mubiyi at 4211 meters, and Masaba at 4161 meters. Wagagai is the tallest peak on Mountain Elgon and professional or well-trained hikers can reach its summit in 4 to 5 days.

Climbing Mount Elgon

Climbing Mount Elgon is an everyday activity done by hikers from different parts of the world. On the starting day of hiking, hikers move to the park offices where they meet the park authorities who teach them the rules and regulations of hiking. After that, the hikers drive to the starting point of the hike depending on the hiking trail they are to use. Hiking trails are Piswa, Suam, Sasa, and Sipi trails with each having its only challenging and different days of getting to the summit.

At the beginning of each trail, there are porters who are available to help hikers carry excess luggage at a small fee. Armed ranger guides give hikers walking sticks to help them balance throughout the hike and the journey to the summit begins. Hiking is done 7 to 8 hours a day for 4 to 5 days for those hikers who are hiking up to the summit.

While climbing Mountain Elgon, the hikers get an opportunity to meet different attractions on the slopes for example the birds, animals, rocks, water sources and they also get to see the beautiful places surrounding the mountain. At the summit of Mount Elgon, it’s where hikers get to see the arrest caldera lake in the world and hot springs on one of the sides of the lake.

While at Wagagai peak, hikers can record videos and take photos of whatever they want for future remembers. After having some good time at the summit of the mountain, hikers can descend back the mountain which is this time not as hard as ascending. While moving down the mountain, the hikers are able to meet some of the attractions on the slopes of the mountain as well as the surrounding areas.

Packing gear for Mount Elgon hiking

Every hiker needs to have the right gear for the hiking activity to go on smoothly with less difficulty. The packing gear for Mount Elgon climbing includes a sleeping bag, light backpack, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, stocks, body belt, waterproof hiking shoes, ankle gaiters, sunglasses, hats, gloves, toilet tissues, torch, travel towel, wet wipes, headlamp, insect repellent, sunscreen, drinking water bottle, energy giving snacks, a camera, and a pair of binoculars.

How much does it cost to climb Mount Elgon

Mount Elgon is found inside Mount Elgon national park an area controlled and managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority a government agency that controls and manages activities within the park. Hiking Mount Elgon is an activity which requires a fee of 50$ for foreign non residents, $40 for foreign residents, and UGX50,000 citizens of East African member states.

Tourists should know that they need to pay park entrance in order to access Mount Elgon national park and climb Mount Elgon. Park entrance fee for Mout Elgon national park is 35$ for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents, and UGX15,000 citizens of East African Member states. The entrance fee as well as hiking fee can be paid at Uganda Wildlife Authority offices or at the park gate in Mount Elgon national park.

best time to climb Mount Elgon

Any hikers can climb Mountain Elgon at any time of the year however there are some months that are better than others. The driest months of the year which are June to September and December to February are the best to visit Mount Elgon national park and hike Mount Elgon. Hikers need to climb Mount Elgon in the dry season because that is when the region receives little or no rainfall and plenty of sunshine.

Hiking Mount Elgon in the dry season, hikers will find the hiking trails dry and easier to walk through, the vegetation is dry and short therefore hikers get a view of each attraction on the slopes of the mountain and the skies are clear enough allowing hikers to get clear pictures, videos as well as sightings.

Hikers can still visit Mount Elgon national park to climb Mount Elgon during the rainy season but this favors the budget travelers. The rainy season happens from March to May and October to November a period which is characterized by too much rainfall and little sunshine. The rainy season is when a few travelers are traveling because of the bad weather so tour operators reduce tour prices attracting budget travelers.

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