Mount Elgon is the second highest mountain in Uganda, the 4th highest in East Africa and the 8th highest in Africa. Mount Elgon covers a total land area of 494 square kilometers, is part of the wider Mount Elgon National Park and
is found in the eastern region of Uganda (along the border with Kenya). It is a shared mountain between the two countries but the largest part is in Uganda. Scientists believe that Mount Elgon erupted over 24 million years ago and is now extinct volcano today. During that eruption, magma spewed from the bottom and collapsed the volcanic cone. That collapse led to the formation of the world’s largest caldera which measures 40km wide and 60km long. The lower slopes are occupied by the Bagisu andSabiny people. They depend on growing both food and cash crops. Some of the crops include plantain, 
potatoes and beans. However, the fertile volcanic soils around the mountain slopes support some of the largest Arabica coffee plantations in Africa.
Mt. Elgon was initially part of a major forest reserve but was turned into Mount Elgon National park in 1992 because of the significant biodiversity and amazing tourism features in the area. Turning the mountain and area around it into a national park has helped conserve/protect the biodiversity – especially wildlife and plants endemic to the area. Mount Elgon is managed and protected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Climbing Mount Elgon
Mount Elgon has become one of the popular tourist destination in Uganda. It is a favorite for Travelers who enjoy mountain hiking and wish to explore one of the largest Caldera in the world. In Uganda, 
Mountain hiking is also done at the Rwenzori ranges of mountains found in the south western part of the country. The highest peak of the Rwenzori ranges is the Margherita peak which is 5,109m above sea-level. This is also known to be the highest point in Uganda and hence an extremely popular challenge to mountain hikers globally. Mt. Elgon gained popularity as a hiking site because conquering it is not too technical. Even inexperienced mountain hikers can successful reach the top compared to when taking on the Rwenzori mountains. It is also much more affordable to hike mount Elgon as the hiking permits cost just $50 per day (Without cooks and porters).
Which are the main trails when climbing Mount Elgon? As earlier noted, Mount Elgon is less strenuous with temperatures that are not too cold like those experienced in the snow-peaked Rwenzori mountains. 
That said, it takes between 4 to 6 days to get to the top of Mt. Elgon. The number of days taken getting to the summit depends in the trail one uses. There are 3 trails to choose from when hiking Mount Elgon. There is the Salsa (Buddukiro) trail, the Pisa (Kapkwata) trail and the Sipi trail. The choice of trail depends on how many days a Traveler is prepared to spend hiking the mountain. It will also depend on the level of difficulty one is interested in experiencing and the what physical features they wish to see along the way. The Sipi Trail is the most challenging. It takes between 4 to 6 days to reach the summit using the Sipi trail. For the shorted route, one should consider the Sasa Trail.
Packing List for Hiking Mount Elgon
Wondering what to pack when hiking Mount Elgon? Hikers need to have warm clothing to deal with the cold up the mountain. They should also have other comfortable clothes to use along the ways, strong hiking 
boots, walking shoes, rain jackets, sleeping bags and tents. Tents can be hired from the park office. Then there are insect repellents, enough food supplies, energy giving snacks, enough bottled water, cooking equipment, flash lights to use at night and other personal items. A good Tour Agency in Uganda can help you arrange the entire hike. The Agency will help with transportation, arranging porters, meals and everything required on ground to make your hike memorable. Regarding accommodation, there are several options (Luxury, Mid-range and Budget). We recommend considering Mt Elgon View Hotel, Mbale Resort Hotel, Kiyegi Hotel, Mt Elgon Hotel and Golfline Sports Hotel among others.
How to Get to Mount Elgon
Travelers who plan to hike Mount Elgon can choose to get there by air from Kampala to Soroti airfield then connect to the starting point by road. Most Hikers get to the park by road. It takes 4 to 5 hours by road toreach Mount Elgon from Kampala through the eastern highway. The journey may be longer but is much more fun and interesting because you will get to see many things along the way. Uganda has many beautiful features along the Eastern route including vast tea/ sugarcane plantations, Mabira central forest reserve, busitema forest, busy roadside markets and the source of the river Nile. On arrival in Mbale City, you will be required to visit the Mount Elgon park offices located within the city to purchase your hiking permits. After visiting the office, you will be briefed about your intended activities and assigned a park guide. Porters and other relevant persons will accompany you for the hike. The Mount Elgon hiking permits can be purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Kampala.
Other things to do in Mount Elgon National Park
Nature walks: This activity is arranged within the mountain forests and surrounding areas. Tourists get the opportunity to view lots of amazing things in the wild like ridges, cliffs, valleys, rare plant species and 
the montane vegetation. The forests on the slopes of the mountain are home to primates like ververt monkeys, red tailed-monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among others.
Cave Exploration: Mount Elgon National park has got many caves waiting to be explored by adventurous Travelers. Some of the most popular caves include the Kitum cave, Chepnyali cave and Mackingeny cave. These are ancient caves and are believed to have been homes to some of the earliest human on earth. millions of years. Today animals like elephants, antelopes, bats and others visit them for temporary shelter or to lick the salt sticking on the walls.
Camping: Several camping bases have been set up the Uganda Wildlife Authority. These camping sites are built along the hiking trails leading up the mountain. Park authorities do not encourage setting up camps near the caldera. Participants must carry their own camping gear and other necessary items such as warm clothes, sleeping bags, tents and others. The park office in Mbale City hires out camping equipment like tents and sleeping bags.
Birding: Mount Elgon National Park is one of the best places for birding in Uganda. There are many rare bird species that one can spot including the Jackson’s Francolin and Lammergreyer which are endemic to the park. Then there are other interesting species like the African blue fly catcher, chin spot batis, black shouldered kite and African goshawk among others.
Game Drives: Mount Elgon National Park is not entirely covered by large rock mass. There a large tracts of savanna plains down the mountain. Along these flat lands, tourists can be taken for a game drive to observe elephants, leopards, hyenas, antelopes and duikers. Travelers should also expect to see small primates like vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and the black and white colobus among others.
Waterfalls: There are numerous waterfalls found in different parts of the park. These waterfalls are formed from streams flowing up the mountains. The most popular ones are at Wanale, Bulago, Susyi, Chebonet and the famous Sipi falls. These waterfalls are found in areas with beautiful scenery. Photographers will be impressed with what is on show. The Sipi falls are particularly impressive and receive thousands of visitors each year. The high number of local and foreign tourists visiting the Sipi Falls has resulted into the establishment of several accommodation facilities within the area.
Community Tours: Climbing Mount Elgon often involves encounters with the Bagisu and Sabiny people. Spending time with these local communities is an excellent opportunity to learn about their culture and 
how they go about with their daily lives. Visiting them is a great way to experience rural life in Africa. Coffee is a major cash crop in the area and tours to learn about how this cash crop is planted/processed is a favorite with international tourists. During village or Cultural tours, expect to learn about how the local food is prepared and served. The Elders will share interesting stories about their past or perform traditional music and dance. If you happen to visit the Bagisu people during the circumcision period, you may be rewarded with one of the most exciting cultural experiences in the world. The circumcision period around August is the time when young men are initiated into adulthood after undergoing various circumcision rituals amidst jubilation from relatives and friends. To be considered a man, each Mugisu must be circumcised and withstand the pain without any pain-killers.
