6 Day – Elgon National Park
Day 1: Transfer to Spectacular Sipi Falls on the Mountain Elgon Ranges
Begin your journey early, following verdant homesteads and lush plantations, as the morning sun illuminates the landscapes. Enjoy the lively soundtrack of local birdlife as you travel to the far east of Uganda. You may stop in Jinja to visit Lake Victoria or proceed directly to Mbale, where you can have lunch at a selected restaurant (at your own expense) before continuing to Sipi. Upon arrival, you will meet our representative, who will transfer you to your basic accommodation, where you will spend the night with the local community.
Overnight: Blue Star Homestay
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Hiking to Tutum Cave
After breakfast at 7:30 AM, we will depart at 8:30 AM for Kapkwai Gate. Between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, we will finalize payment for entrance fees and meet the porters and cooks. At 9:30 AM, we will begin our hike to our first destination, Tutum Cave, situated at an elevation of 2,667 meters.
During the hike, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding plains and the communities living near Mount Elgon National Park. We will traverse through secondary and bamboo forests, providing ample opportunities to observe local wildlife and birdlife. We will camp for the night at Tumtum Cave, preparing for the next day's hike.
Overnight: Camp at Tumtum Cave
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Hiking from Tutum Cave to Kajere River Camp
We will start our hike from Tumtum Cave to Kajere River Camp at 8:30 AM. The hike spans 17 km and will take approximately 6 hours, depending on the pace of the hikers. Along the way, you will walk through expansive primary forests, bamboo forests, montane vegetation, and patches of heathland.
We will set up camp at Kajere River Camp for the night, where we will plan for the next day's hike.
Overnight: Camp at Kajere River Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Hiking to Sim Valley Camp
After breakfast between 7:00 and 8:00 AM, we will have a briefing to prepare for the day’s hike. We will set off toward Sim Valley Camp, which stands at an elevation of 3,450 meters. The hike covers 10 km and will take around 6 hours, depending on the hikers' pace.
As we hike, you will pass through heathland and see the mountain's second-highest peak, Mubi, which rises to 4,210 meters. We will also pass by the proposed Muyembe River Camp. Along the trail, enjoy breathtaking landscapes featuring gorges, valleys, calderas, and mountain rivers. We will descend to Sim Valley Camp, a newly opened site, where we will take a well-deserved break after the long hike.
Overnight: Camp at Sim Valley Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Summit Day to Wagagai
Today is the day we make our final ascent to the summit, Wagagai. We will start the hike as early as 6:00 AM. Breakfast is not recommended, so we encourage hikers to pack sufficient snacks for the journey.
The round-trip hike from Sim Valley Camp to the summit is 18 km. Along the way, enjoy views of Jackson Pool, Jackson Summit, Jackson Table, the crater lakes, Elgon Mountain on the Kenyan side, the caldera, and the hot springs. Upon reaching Wagagai, take plenty of pictures before we begin our descent to Sayum Dubi Camp, which sits at an elevation of 2,600 meters.
Overnight: Camp at Sayum Dubi Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Descent from the Mountain
After breakfast at 7:30 AM, we will begin our descent down the mountain at 8:30 AM. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes as we walk through primary and secondary forests, taking in views of the mountains and valleys.
As we continue our descent, you will have the chance to see the communities settled in the valley. Once we reach the valley floor, we will sign out at the UWA office at the Bududa site, concluding our adventure.