Mount Elgon Tour experiences enable you to take on journeys of Discovery to Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda. The mountain is a designated Transboundary Biosphere Reserve and among the oldest mountains on the continent. Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano believed to have last erupted several million years ago.
At over 4000 square kilometers, Mount Elgon has the world’s largest Volcanic base. It is believed to have been Africa’s highest mountain, higher than Kilimanjaro but erupted and has over the years eroded. Elgon is currently East Africa’s 4th highest mountain with its peak Wagagai standing at an elevation of 4,321 meters above sea level.
Mount Elgon tour experiences and Discovery journeys are deep-rooted in natural history and rich in diversity. The mountain is among the less traveled Uganda Tour destinations and offers exclusive tour experiences. Below are our most recommended Mount Elgon Tour experiences you can engage in while in the area.
Mount Elgon Hiking
This is the primary and key tour experience in the mountain. Mount Elgon hiking is very adventurous as you trek through the different vegetation zones of the mountain. The lower mountain slopes are covered with a temperate deciduous forest that is home to several wildlife species including forest elephants. This slowly transcends into bamboo forests and eventually the moorland zone.
Mount Elgon’s moorland zone is among the most impressive mountain zones to explore. It contains several plant species including tree heaths, giant lobelias, and groundsels among others. As you hike to the summit, you go through the mountain crater. This has swamps where some major rivers and streams flow from. Hiking through this alone is breathtaking before you finally make it to the summit top that rises from the Crater.
The Mountain Elgon hike is not as strenuous as other mountain hikes in the region. Its rich wildlife and diversity make this mountain hiking experience a journey to remember. There are still so many hidden wildlife treasures to uncover in this Discovery Journey and we highly recommend it.
Birding
Mount Elgon Tour experiences featuring birding expeditions bring in another incredible Uganda safari adventure. The mountainous national park is home to over 300 bird species including endemics. Birding in a mountainous and forested area like Mount Elgon differs a lot from the open savannas.
With the vegetation cover, birding mainly depends on calls and you therefore need to be very vigilant. It is however adventurous as you can easily spot a completely new species that has never been discovered.
Notable bird species in the mountain Elgon area include the Lammergeier, the Hartlaub’s turaco, and the eastern bronze-naped pigeon among others. Birding journeys are doable all year round but more rewarding from November to May when there is an influx of migratory birds. It is easily done in the dry season when the trails are dry and a bit easy to navigate.
Nature walks
Guided nature walks are the best way to connect with the Mount Elgon wilderness. Being an off-beaten path, Mount Elgon tour experiences feature hidden nature secrets that you easily uncover on nature walks.
Several developed trails lead up to the crater and summit in awe and appreciation of Mother Nature. On these trails, you encounter mountain wildlife species like antelopes and if lucky can spot the forest elephants. Many of these (Forest Elephants) moved to the Kenyan side to the Kitum Cave but you can never rule out the possibility of meeting them.
Mount Elgon has many caves that were once inhabited by the migrating Nilo-Hamites and Bantu people. Many of these have rock paintings showing narrations of these communities lived in such hilly areas and their origins. Their legends have been carried over to the younger generations and you learn more about them on guided walks to the caves.
Community Tour Experiences
The Mount Elgon lower slopes are inhabited by the Bantu-speaking Gisu community. They are predominately farmers growing Uganda’s finest coffee, millet, and corn. Also locally known as the Bamasaba, the Bagisu consider Mount Elgon a sacred home of their founding Father Masaba.
Many refer to the mountain as Masaba and still take on pilgrims to the mountain. This is done during initiation from one stage of life to another or when on prayer requests for rain or bumper harvests.
Mount Elgon Tour experiences to the community as unmatched. One of the most prominent community practices is the Imbalu, a community male circumcision that initiates young boys to males. It involves a traditional dance throughout the community as the people gather to witness the occasion. A man is considered brave when they do not make a movement or shake during the rather painful circumcision. It is such a man who will win the most beautiful bride because of his bravery.
Apart from learning about the rich culture, you get to taste locally made coffee and the local millet brew.
Filming and Documentary Tour Adventures
Mount Elgon’s exclusivity makes it an ideal filming and documentary tour destination. The whole Eastern Uganda tourism circuit is less explored and yet full of amazing adventures. With this, we recommended Mount Elgon tour experiences featuring filming.
You can start with the vibrant cultural practices and traditions of the Bamasaba and other communities around the mountain slopes. The wildlife in the park is also great whether you focus on birds or mammal species.
There is little known about the mountain in general and filming tour adventures there is a big deal. Beyond Mount Elgon on your way up north is Pian Upe Game Reserve. The reserve is Uganda’s largest protected area and home to the rare Roan Antelope. Such exclusive Uganda tours are the best option if you are to break away from the usual Tanzania safaris.
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