Mt Elgon is home to two tribes, the Bagisu and the Sabiny, with the marginalized Ndorobos forced to dwell deep within the forest of Benet.

The Bagisu, also known as the BaMasaba, consider Mount Elgon to be the embodiment of their founding father Masaba and refer to the mountain by this name.

Mount Elgon National Park is home to over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Lammergeyer.  The higher slopes are protected by national parks in Uganda and Kenya, creating an extensive trans-boundary conservation area which has been declared a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve.

A climb on Mt. Elgon’s deserted moorlands unveils a magnificent and uncluttered wilderness without the summit-oriented approach common to many mountains: the ultimate goal on reaching the top of Mt. Elgon is not the final ascent to the 4321m Wagagai Peak, but the descent into the vast 40km² caldera.

The mammalian fauna of Mount Elgon is poorly known. The most common species, or at least the most visible to hikers are the blue monkeys and black and white columbus. A small number of Elephants are residents of forests and several montane moorland endemics.

Mount Elgon’s hiking trails are one of its major attractions. Unlike other climbs in East Africa, Mount Elgon’s trails are accessible throughout the year and they require no specialist climbing equipment.

Mount Elgon’s hiking trails are less congested than other hiking trails in East Africa, allowing you to enjoy its stunning scenery without any distractions. Mount Elgon has 3 main hiking trails which vary in length and difficulty;

• The Sasa Trail: The shortest but most challenging trail is a four-day round trip. This is the original route to Wagagai, Mount Elgon’s 4,321m peak.
• The Piswa Trail: A less strenuous but longer alternative to the Sasa Trail. You will cover 49km for 7 days. The trail begins at the village of Kapkwata on the north side of the mountain at an altitude of 2,190m. The trail is famous for its breath-taking views of Uganda’s Karamoja Plains and Kenya’s Kapeguria and Nandi Hills.
• The Sipi Trail: The longest trail covers 56km and takes around 4-6 days to complete. The trail begins at the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Center, just a few kilometers from Sipi Falls. One of its highlights is the section through Tatum Cave which is famous for its ancient cave paintings.
• Day Hikes: The Forest Exploration Center has opened 3 shorter trails which are only 3-7km. These trails are perfect for less experienced hikers and for travelers who want to get a taste of Mount Elgon’s beautiful scenery and wildlife within a short period of time.

In 2012, the Uganda Wildlife Authority opened mountain biking trails. Bikes can be rented from Sipi River Lodge. One 1 ½ hour trail runs from Sipi Trading Center at an altitude of 1,775m to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa.

Although Mount Elgon is accessible at any time of the year, we recommend that you visit during the drier seasons of June to August and November to March.

Visiting in November or December will allow you to see its delightful wildflowers in bloom. Though whenever you visit, you’ll be surrounded by panoramic views.