Self drive offers opportunities for traveller to draft their own itinerary upon their chosen destinations, immerse them selves in the park’s natural beauty, driving through the parks scenic routes with out restrictions and exploring Mount Elgon national park at their own pace,
Mount Elgon National Park lies on the border between Kenya and Uganda. The mountain is located 100 kilometers northeast of Lake Victoria, above the equator. The nearest larger towns on the Ugandan side are Mbale and Soroti. Mount Elgon is a 4,321m high extinct volcano which a million years ago stood taller than Kilimanjaro does today. Although the mountain straddles the Uganda-Kenya border, its loftiest peak, Wagagai, lies within Uganda. Surprisingly, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is part of the Mount Elgon conservation area. Pian Upe is part of the Karamoja plains on the northern side of the mountain. The park is Africa’s oldest and largest volcanic mountain, with a summit elevation of 4,321 meters with unique features such as landscape, caves, cliffs, and valleys. Not forgetting that it is a home to a wide variety of wildlife, over 300 bird species including the rare Lammergeyer eagle its diverse ecosystems like montane forest, moorland, alpine vegetation makes it a unique destination for self drive addicts.
Self drive activities on mount elgon national park:
Mount Elgon National Park offers various self-drive activities for adventure-seekers that include;
- Scenic Drives, explore the park’s scenic routes, offering unique views of the mountain, valleys, and surrounding landscapes.
- Game Viewing, drive through the park’s habitats, spotting wildlife like elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes.
- Bird Watching, the park has over 300 bird species, meanwhile is a haven for bird addicts.
- Hiking and climbing, take on the challenge of climbing Mount Elgon, or explore shorter hiking trails.
- Caving explores the park’s caves, including the famous Kitum Cave.
- Photography captures stunning images of the park’s unique landscapes and wildlife.
Self Drive Requirements
Ensure you travel with;
- Valid passport and visa if required.
- Vehicle insurance (comprehensive and third-party)
- Vehicle registration and ownership documents
- A valid driving license
- 4WD vehicle is recommended due to the parks rouge terrain.
- Spare tires, tools, and emergency equipment
- Navigation tools (GPS, maps)
- Accommodation bookings (inside or outside the park)
Self Drive Tips
- Fuel up before entering the park
- Use 4WD due to rough terrain
- Drive slowly and carefully
- Follow Park rules and guidelines that is report to the park headquarters at Kapchorwa and pay entrance fees (USD 30 per person, per day)
- Be prepared for changing weather conditions
Private Transfer:
Entebbe Airport to the park is served by a number of tour organizations providing private transfer services. You can set up a car to come right to the park or to neighboring towns like Mbale and pick you up.
Here are Recommended Agencies for Private Transfers
Accessibility
You can use the following routes depending on which one is convenient
- From Kampala (Uganda) take the Kampala-Mbale Road (approx. 230 km, 3-4 hours) turn off at Mbale town towards Kapchorwa (approx. 30 km) follow signs to Mount Elgon National Park
- From Nairobi (Kenya), take the Nairobi-Eldoret Road (approx. 320 km, 4-5 hours turn off at Eldoret town towards Kitale (approx. 70 km) continue to Kapchorwa and follow signs to the park
Please note that some of these routes require border Crossings to access the mount Elgon National Park;
- Malaba Border (Uganda-Kenya)
- Busia Border (Uganda-Kenya)