Trip Planner for Mount Elgon National Park.
- Porters
- Guides
- Maps
- What to Pack
Planning Your Trip
Full planning is necessary before to starting your journey:
Planning and Research
Read up on the layout, features, and rules of the park. Whatever your interests—hiking to the top, cave exploration, or birdwatching—make an agenda.
The car and its Accessories
Make sure your car is off-road capable and adequately maintained. If you are going to go camping, pack enough food and water, a first-aid kit, navigational equipment, and spare tires.
Permits and Fees:
Get any required permits—like camping and entrance fees—in advance. Learn about park policies, such as those pertaining to camping and trash disposal.
Permits, Guides, Porters
While porters might be optional, permits and a guide are not. No worries. It is quite simple and straight forward to get organized for the trek.
The friendly staff at Mount Elgon National Park office in Mbale (head quarters) can help you organise everything you need for the trek, including equipment (tents, camping mats and even boots – though it is recommended that you bring your own).
Alternatively, there is a branch office in Budadiri, which can do the same.
While for some of you it might seem that hiring a porter takes away from the challenge of the trek, please consider this: the income earned carrying your bag is one of the few ways in which the local communities directly benefit from the National Park.
The entire trek will knock you back a few hundred dollars (US). Park fee for trekking (for day hikes).
Choose Your Trails
Trekking routes on Mount Elgon range in difficulty from pleasant strolls to strenuous hikes. Popular trails that each provide different experiences and landscapes are the Sasa, Sipi, and Piswa trails. Choose routes according to interests, time limits, and degree of fitness.
Wildlife Sightings
See the many bird species, antelopes, elephants, and buffaloes that make up Mount Elgon’s varied biodiversity. Though interactions could be less often than in other parks, perseverance and careful observation could pay off with unforgettable sightings.