How much does it cost to visit Mount Elgon national park?
How much does it cost to visit Mount Elgon national park?: Mount Elgon national park is one of the protected areas in the eastern part of Uganda. The protected area was gazetted as a national park in 1992 to protect different wildlife and other attractions that were there at the time. Uganda Wildlife Authority is the government agency managing and controlling all activities in this national park.
Thousands of tourists who are planning to visit Mount Elgon inquire how much a safari to Mount Elgon national park would cost. Well, there are many factors that determine the total cost of a safari to Mount Elgon national park. Among the factors include number of people traveling, number of days, activities to do, accommodation, time of the year, and mode of transport to mention but a few.
Things that determine the cost of a safari in Mount Elgon national park
The mode of transport
The mode of transport used during your safari in Mount Elgon national park does influence the total cost. Flying to any airstrip near the park is more expensive compared to traveling by road transport. Air transport is very quick but also roads transport is faster because one needs 5 to 6 hours to get to the park from Entebbe which is about 240km away.
Number of people traveling
The larger the group traveling to Mount Elgon national park the cheaper it is for everyone. This is because, tourists get to share the costs like accommodation, guide fees, transport and others. Tourists who travel alone end up paying a high amount of fees because they have no one to share the costs with. Tourists who are looking at cheaper safaris are asked to travel as a group or join any if available.
Duration of the safari
The number of days you are planning for safaris to Mountain Elgon national park do determine the cost of the trip. Tourists who are on a limited budget can have a short safari while those who have enough money can have any number of days they want in the park depending on the activities they are to do.
Tourists who are visiting Mountain Elgon national park for hiking activities need to know that the fees for hiking is paid every after 24 hours. Every day a hiker pays an amount of money based on their resident status. The more the days of hiking the more the cost of the safari and the reverse is true.
Time of the year
The total cost of the safari to Mount Elgon national park can also be determined by the time of travel. Safaris to any destination in Uganda including Mount Elgon national park tend to be high during the peak season which is the time a lot of people are within the park. The safari packages do reduce during the low season because a few tourists are visiting the park. The local tour operators do reduce prices in the low season to attract the few tourists that are traveling.
Park entrance fees
To access Mountain Elgon national park, one is required to pay entry fees at the gate. Tourists pay entrance fees based on their resident status for example foreign non-residents, foreign residents, and citizens of East African member states which is confirmed by showing a valid national park identity card or passport. Foreign residents should be having a valid working permit of more than a year.
Adults can access Mountain Elgon national park at a fee of $35 if they are foreign non-residents, $25 if they are foreign residents, and UGX15,000 in case they are citizens of East African member states. East African tour company drivers from registered tour companies access Mount Elgon national park at zero cost.
Tour company vehicles pay UGX30,000 to access the park and this lasts for 24 hours
Park activities
There are different tourism activities that are carried out in Mount Elgon national park. Each of the activities has its own price and it’s the prices that determine the total cost of the safari. While on a safari in the park, tourists can do mountain hiking, bird watching, nature walks, rock climbing, and mountain biking to mention but a few.
Bird watching and nature walks cost $40 for foreign non-residents, $30 for foreign residents, and UGX 30,000 citizens of East African member states. Mount Elgon hiking costs $50 for foreign non-residents, $40 for foreign residents, and UGX 50,000 citizens of East African member states. Mount Elgon rock climbing costs $65 for foreign non-residents, $60 for foreign residents, and UGX 55,000 citizens of East African member states.
In conclusion, a safari to Mount Elgon national park is very affordable for everyone who has ever wished to travel there. The cost of the safari is determined by the mode of transport you use to get to the park, activities to do while there, the group size, and the time you want to be on the safari among others.
