Mount Elgon National Park

January 16, 2025

Mount Elgon National Park

Elgon National Park boasts the magnificent mountain Elgon which is the fourth highest mountain in Africa, It borders Uganda and Kenya covering 4,321 meters above sea level, and the Kenyan part of the park covers only 169 kilometers squared. Mount Elgon is best for its lava tube caves full of elephants.

It has a crater, tarns, lava caves, streams, forests, and valleys. The park is named after Mount Elgon an extinct shield volcano, it’s a water catchment for two rivers Nzoia and Turkwel, The Nzoia flows to Lake Victoria and Turkwel flows to Lake Turkana. The park is home to numerous animals and over 240 bird species.

Mount Elgon National Park is located northeast of Lake Victoria it boasts a surface area of 50 to 80 kilometers which is the largest in the world, it’s believed to have erupted about 24 million years ago. It’s also the largest and oldest volcanic mountain in East Africa.

Activities at Mount Elgon National Park

Birding

Mount Elgon National Park is with over 240 species of birds. Some of these are; White-chinned Prinia, chubbs Cisticola, Ludhers bush shrike, African blue flycatcher, Banglafecht Weaver, African goshawk, chin spot basis, Doherty, MacKinnon’s fiscal, Tacazze birds, Lammergeyer, Jackson’s francolin, cinnamon chested bee-eater, eastern bronzed napped pigeon, red-headed parrot, and Hartlaub’s turaco to mention a few

Hiking

Tourists can hike the mountain and come across a large number of plant species, birds, insects, gorges, enormous caves, waterfalls, and wildlife. There hiking trails take you through the elephant bluff, enormous caves, and beautiful sceneries. Climbing to the top will depend on the hikers’ pace and fitness

Game viewing

The park also boasts various wildlife such as giant forest hogs, waterbucks, elephants, buffalos, hyenas, bushbucks, antelopes, blue monkeys,

Nature guided walks

Tourists can explore the montane forests on foot and come across birds, small mammals, over 100 tree species, and flowers and enjoy panoramic views of the vast lands.

Camping

Visit elephant caves

There are four elephant caves where one can see elephants. They always go to the caves to scratch the salt lick deposits. These caves are Kitum, Ngwarisha, Mikingenyi, and Chepnyalil the longest extending up to 200 meters

Where to stay

The accommodation sectors in the park are Banda’s, Mount Elgon Lodge, and other public campsites, the campsites have bathrooms, toilets, and kitchen other basic facilities you might need.