Mount Elgon National Park is found in Eastern Uganda is located near Mbale and lies across the Kenyan border covering 1,145 square kilometres.
Mount Elgon is known to be the fourth highest mountain in East Africa and second highest peak in Uganda, towering up to 4321 meters with the second-highest peak in Uganda. Mt. Elgon, an extinct volcano is believed to have first erupted more than 24 million years ago. Locally known as Mt. Masaba, Elgon has got three other major peaks which are Kiongo (4303m), Mubiyi (4210m) and Jackson’s summit (4165m).
Masaba is the name of the founding ancestor of the Bagisu believed to have emerged from a cave on its slopes several centuries ago. Masaba’s spirit is believed to be personified by Jackson’s Summit but may be the taller Kiongo peak. The mountain is also an important watershed for different rivers including River Sipi that forms the spectacular Sipi Falls. The mountain slopes support a rich variety of vegetation zones like the montane forest, high open moorland covered by the worldly giant lobelia and groundsel plants. The mountain has crater covering about 40 kilometres on its top surrounded by a multiple rugged peaks.
Mount Elgon National Park has a large variety of fauna and floral species, for instance the Bamboo, heath and moorland zones plus animals such as leopards, Blue and White Colobus monkey, hyena and buffaloes. The bird species comprise of the African Goshawk, Mackinon’s Fiscal, the Bablafecht weaver and many others.
Bird watching, mountain hiking, trekking, day hikes and forest exploration, camping, guide escorts are among the major activities. A variety of attractions outside the park like lodging facilities and campsites plus the magnificent Sipi Falls situated 66 km from Mbale make a tour enjoyable. Community visits and involvement in Imbalu dances, nature walks from Budadiri trail-head can also be done.