Mt. Elgon Factsheet

You are Here: Home  Useful Info   Mt. Elgon Factsheet

Basic Info: Mount Elgon is an extinct Volcano that erupted 24 million years ago sitting on an area of 1,145sqkm. This mountain has it's highest peak as Wagagai, which is 4,321m above sea-level. This makes it the fourth highest mountain in East Africa. Major features in Mount Elgon include a plethora of waterfalls, hot springs and the extraordinary caldera, which is about 8 kilometers in diameter. Most of the National Park is montane forest, with vegetation that has adapted to the contrast of tropical heat and freezing nights.

When to Go
No technical experience is needed to climb Mt. Elgon and hiking takes place the whole year with the months of June to August and December to March being the best season to visit.

Getting to Mount Elgon
Wagagai peak can be climbed from the Uganda or Kenya sides although recently Uganda entry has been considered as the best option.

Entry Requirements
Hikers are required to pay park entrance fees as well as get a permit to tour this region.

Activities in the Park
There are two main trails, the Piswa Route and the Sasa River Trail. One may choose to do a hike around, or climb the mountain. It is recommended to use guides, porters and park rangers. There are no known altitude sickness issues related to touring Mount Elgon.

 

Previous Page | Back to Top