Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park is located in the Eastern part of Uganda, along the border with Kenya, famous for hosting the Elgon Mountain which is the second highest in the country. The Park lies about 140 kilometers northeast of Lake Victoria and covers a total area of approximately 1,279 square kilometers. Since the park is shared between Uganda and Kenya, the total area in Uganda is about 1,110 square kilometers and the remaining 169 square kilometers is located in Kenya. The Kenyan portion of the park was officially gazetted in 1968, followed by the Ugandan section in 1992.

Mount Elgon plays a vital role as a major water catchment area in the region. It is the source of the Nzoia River, which drains into Lake Victoria, as well as the Turkwel River, known locally in Uganda as the Suam River, which flows toward Lake Turkana. This makes the park not only ecologically significant but also essential to the surrounding communities and ecosystems. This Safari park is popular for Uganda Hiking Safaris and can be visited all year round.

What is Unique about Mount Elgon National Park?

The slopes of Mount Elgon support an impressive range of vegetation, stretching from dense montane forests to open high-altitude moorlands dotted with giant lobelias, groundsels, and heather species. Plant life on the mountain changes noticeably with elevation. Lower slopes are dominated by wet montane forest characterized by Elgon olive and Aningeria adolfi-friederici. As altitude increases, this forest gradually gives way to olive and Afrocarpus gracilior woodland, followed by zones dominated by Afrocarpus species and bamboo.

At even higher elevations, the vegetation transitions into a Hagenia abyssinica zone before opening into expansive moorland. These upper areas are marked by heather species such as Erica arborea and Erica trimera, tussock grasses including Agrostis gracilifolia and Festuca pilgeri, and a variety of herbs like Alchemilla, Helichrysum, and Lobelia.

The moorlands are also home to striking giant groundsels, notably Dendrosenecio barbatipes and Dendrosenecio elgonensis. Overall, the park’s rich plant diversity includes species such as African juniper, Pillarwood, Elderberry, and numerous orchid species.

Wildlife and other Attractions

Although popular for Uganda Hiking Safaris/ Mountaineering in Uganda, this National Park is also home to wildlife. During safaris in Uganda’s Mount Elgon National Park, expect to encounter Elephants and buffalo that are commonly spotted roaming the lower slopes of the park. The area also supports several species of small antelope and duikers, along with forest-dwelling primates such as the black-and-white colobus and the blue monkey. Red-tailed monkeys have also been sighted again after once being considered locally extinct. In addition, predators such as leopards and hyenas can also be spotted in the park.

Birdlife in Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon supports a rich birdlife, with at least 144 bird species recorded in the area. Among the most notable are Jackson’s spurfowl, the eastern bronze-naped pigeon, Hartlaub’s turaco, the Tacazze sunbird, and the endangered lammergeier, all of which are of special interest due to their limited geographic range.

The mountain is also known for its unique insect life. In 2005, an endangered species of dragonfly, Maathai’s longleg, was discovered here and named in honor of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai.

The Beautiful Landscapes of Mount Elgon

In addition to its rich plant and animal life, the park is known for its diverse and dramatic landscapes. These include towering cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls, caves, mesas, calderas, hot springs, and rugged mountain peaks. Among the most popular attractions are four large caves that can be explored by visitors. These caves are frequently visited at night by elephants and buffalo, which come to lick the naturally occurring salt on the cave walls. One of the most famous, Kitum Cave, extends about 200 meters into the side of Mount Elgon and is distinguished by its overhanging crystalline walls.

The Endebess Bluff offers sweeping panoramic views of the region’s escarpments, gorges, mesas, and river systems.