5 Days Mount Elgon Trekking & Hiking Safari
5 Days Mount Elgon Trekking & Hiking Safari is an adventurous opportunity to spend 5 days and 4 nights in Uganda, basically on a hike to the summit, the highest peak known as Wagagai Peak of Mount Elgon, which is at 4,321 m high above sea level. Mount Elgon is situated in the eastern part of Uganda in the Mbale region within Mount Elgon National Park, also bordering with Kenya.
Throughout this adventure, you will be in position to summit the highest peak of Mount Elgon via well-defined hiking trails since we have three well-known hiking trails that lead to Wagagai with different sightings along the way.
For instance, there is the Sipi Trail, where hikers on this trail start to ascend from Kapapkwai and enable hikers to visit the Sipi Waterfalls and Tutum Caves, among others. The Sipi trail is considered to be the longest trail, covering about 56 km to make a round trip, followed by the Piswa trail that starts from Kapkwata and covers 49 km to make a round trip.
And the last one is the Sasa trail that runs from Budadiri, known to be the shortest, taking about 4 days or even 3 days to summit the Wagagai peak at 4321 m, and in this case, this itinerary will take you via the Sasa trail, which is the best, easiest, and shortest, thus the most used trail by several hikers. However, during descending, you may opt for a different trail, such as a waterfall trail.
This 5-day Mount Elgon trekking/hiking safari starts from Kampala or Entebbe at your lodge and connects to Mbale for Mount Elgon hiking to make a round trip. During the hike, you will be in position to encounter lots of attractions ranging from the local Bagishu and Sabei, hike via coffee plantations, montane and bamboo forests, encounter mammals such as cats and antelopes, view the beautiful vegetation cover, caves, and many more, then return to Kampala via Jinja for white water rafting/Source of the Nile and end your safari at Entebbe International Airport.
HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Transfer to Budadiri and hike up to Sasa River camp
Day 2: Hike from Sasa River Camp to Mude Camp
Day 3: Hike from Mude to Wagagai Peak and back to Mude
Day 4: Descend from Mude to Mbale
Day 5: Drive to Jinja for white water rafting and drive to Kampala for departures.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Transfer to Budadiri and hike up to Sasa River camp
You shall be picked up from your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe and start the drive to Mbale with an enroute lunch. Upon arrival in Mbale, you will proceed with the journey to Budadiri, where the hike to Summit Mount Elgon starts.
From Budadiri, you will be briefed about the formation of Mount Elgon, the expectations during the hike, the dos and don’ts, etc. Ensure that you hire a porter to assist you in carrying extra luggage before setting off.
After the briefing, you will be offered a hiking stick and alongside armed rangers both in front and behind you, you will embark on a fascinating hike via plantations and local communities and hike up to Sasa camp situated at 2900 m above sea level after covering a 1700 m hike since the hike starts at 1200 m above sea level. At this level, you will be in position to enjoy your dinner and take rest.
Day 2: Hike from Sasa River Camp to Mude Camp
You will wake up at Sasa River camp for an early breakfast, then proceed with your hike to Mude Cave Camp at an elevation of 3500 m above sea level. At this level, you will have covered a 600 m walk within 4-5 hours; thus, you will camp at this point for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Hike from Mude to Wagagai Peak and back to Mude
On day 3, you will enjoy your breakfast at the camp and then set out for a hike to summit the highest peak, known as Wagagai Peak, situated at an elevation of 4,321 m above sea level. This will take you about 9 hours to reach the top after covering a distance of 820 m walk. Once you reach the top, you will be in position to enjoy the cool breath from down the mountain and later descend back to Mude, where you will then enjoy dinner and have an overnight at Mude camp.
Day 4: Descend from Mude to Mbale
On the day you will wake up at the camp, enjoy breakfast and set off to start descending back to Mbale via any other trail. For instance, on day 4, you may descend via the Sipi trail in order to maximize your sighting. Including Sipi River, Sipi waterfalls, caves and many more in addition to sightings during the hike via the Sasa trail. Lunch will be enroute and dinner at the base of the mountain. Dinner and overnight stay in Mbale.
Day 5: Drive to Jinja for white water rafting and drive to Kampala for departures.
On the last day of the safari, you ought not to miss out on white water rafting at Itanda Waterfalls in Jinja or else you may opt for a visit to explore the source of the Nile since the two can’t be done in one day.
Later on, enjoy your lunch in Jinja and transfer back to Kampala via Mabira Forest. Once in Kampala, you will proceed to the airport for departures.
End of 5 Days Mount Elgon Trekking & Hiking Safari
Inclusive
- A 4×4 safari vehicle for ground transportation
- Mount Elgon hiking fee
- Park entrance fees
- Ranger fees
- Accommodation as per Itinerary
- All meals as per itinerary
- All activities included in the itinerary
- Enough drinking water
- Hiking stick
- Porter
Exclusives
- Optional activities
- Life insurance
- Tips
- Other drinks apart from water
- Hiking gear such as shoes, a raincoat, long-sleeved attire, an insect repellent, sun glasses, and a cap
- Other expenses of a personal nature, such as email services, airtime and laundry.
