Alien Safaris Uganda, Uganda Safaris

Mt. Elgon National Park

Mountain Elgon national park is located on the border of Uganda and Kenya. The mountain is named after the Elgonyi tribe who once lived in huge caves on South side of the mountain.
Mountain Elgon is the second highest peak in Uganda called Wagagayi peak, 4321m.
It contains the largest intact caldera, a collapsed crater covering over 40km at the top of the mountain surrounded by a series of rugged peaks.
The Bugisu and the Sabiny are the two ethnic tribes around the mountain. They practice subsistence farming and conduct circumcision ceremonies every year to prepare young men/Women for challenges of adulthood.
The two communities have made agreements with the park for sustainable harvest of traditional forest products.

Vegetation:
The botanical diversity of the park includes giant podocarpus, juniper and Elgon olive trees cedar Juniperus procera, pillarwood Cassipourea malosana, elder Sambucus adnata, pure stands of Podocarpus gracilior and many orchids.

Of the 400 species recorded for the area the following are of particular note as they only occur in high altitude broad-leaf montane forest: Ardisiandra wettsteinii, Carduus afromontanus, Echinops hoehnelii, Ranunculus keniensis (previously thought endemic to Mount Kenya), and Romulea keniensis.

Animals:
Elephants and buffalo can be found on the lower slopes. The park is also home to a variety of small antelope and forest monkeys, including the Black and White Colobus and Blue Monkey.
Over 300 birds can also be found in the area, including the endangered Lammergeier, African GosHawk, and Baglafecht Weaver. Maathai's LongLeg an endangered dragonfly was discovered here in 2000 and named after Nobel Prize winner Wangaari Maathai.

Attractive Activities:
 Extended hikes.
 Interesting and unique flora and fauna
 Magnificent Sipi falls
 Enormous caves
 Scenic peaks
 Gorges and hot springs which bubble up at 480c
Climate:
Best time to visit is during drier season from June to August, March and December.

No technical equipment is skill is required as all major peaks are accessible.

Accommodation
 Executive at Forest cottages at Kapkwai
 Four wooden bandas self contained
 Meals are provided at Chefs delight
 Suam and Kapkwata Guest houses and the forest Exploration center
Others are in Mbale Town
 Mountain Elgon Hotel
 Mbale Resort Hotel
 Sunrise Inn and Country home
How to get there
The park can be accessed through Jinja road – Iganga up to Mbale town.
The distance takes three hour to reach the park from Kampala