9 DAYS MOUNT ELGON HIKING SAFARI
Overview
9 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari, Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano and is one of Uganda’s oldest physical features which is believed to have first erupted around 24 million years ago. Additionally, this was once Africa’s highest mountain, far exceeding Kilimanjaro’s current 5,895m. However, millennia of erosion have reduced its height to 4,321m, relegating it to the 4th highest peak in East Africa and 8th on the continent.
Many travelers prefer climbing Mount Elgon as compared to Mountain Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori mountains because it is more affordable, less straining and with comfortable temperatures even at the summit.
More importantly, the thrilling thing about climbing Mount Elgon is not reaching the Wagagai peak but rather the experience of descending from the peak to spot the largest caldera on the planet.
Day 1: Arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel
When you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and received by one of our professional tour guides. He will give you a short briefing about your safari before transferring you to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
In case you arrive during the early hours of the day, you may first go for a city tour in Kampala- Uganda’s capital city before proceeding to your hotel. Some of the places that may be exciting to visit include; the Kabaka’s palace, the Uganda Museum, some restaurants (for the delicious local and international cuisines), the crafts market and so on.
Accommodation:
Sapphire Hotel (below budget)
Cassia Lodge (on budget)
Lake Victoria Serena Hotel Kigo (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 2: Transfer to Mount Elgon National Park
After having your breakfast and getting ready for the day, you will embark on your journey to Mount Elgon National Park. Along the way, you will stop-over at Jinja for lunch before proceeding to the park. When you arrive at your lodge, you will check in and relax as you wait for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation:
The Crow’s Nest (below budget)
Lacam Lodge (on budget)
Sipi River Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 3: Start hike from Budadiri –Sasa River camp (1250m – 2900m)
In the morning, you will report to the park office which is located at Budadiri (1250m) for a briefing session about the safety precautions, rules and regulations for hiking. After making all the necessary arrangements such as the tour guide, porters, food and camping equipment, you will start moving to Sasa River Camp (2900m). The total distance will be about 8 kilometers and you will walk for about 7 to 8 hours.
Dinner and overnight stay: Sasa Camp
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 4: Hike from Sasa River Camp to Mude Caves Camp (2900m – 3500m)
You will freshen up for the day, have breakfast and start on your day’s hike. Your professional tour guide will lead you as you walk through the forest to Mude Caves Camp (3500m). The hike will take about 4 to 5 hours and ou will enjoy the fresh air and the stunning views of the beautiful surroundings. When you arrive at the camp, you will have lunch and then rest for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Mude Caves Camp
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 5: Hike from Mude Caves Camp (3500m) to Wagagai peak (4,321m) and back to Mude Caves Camp
This will be the fifth day of your Mount Elgon adventure. When you finish having your breakfast, you will carry your hiking gear and start your hike to Wagagai which is the highest peak of the mountain. Reaching there will be extremely exciting since you will be rewarded with such a spectacular view. The hike will take you about 8 to 9 hours. Afterwards, you will return to Mude caves camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mude Caves Camp
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 6: Walk from Mude Caves Camp (3500m) to Sipi falls camp (1,795m)
After having your breakfast and getting ready for the day, you will connect to Sipi falls (in Kapchorwa) and then have dinner and a good night’s rest.
Accommodation:
The Crow’s Nest (below budget)
Lacam Lodge (on budget)
Sipi River Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 8: Sipi falls hike and coffee experience
Early in the morning, you will have your breakfast and pack all the necessary hiking gear before heading out for your adventure. Your guide will give you a short briefing about hiking, providing you with information about the safety precautions and rules. Afterwards, you will embark on your hike to explore the stunning views of Sipi falls. During this hike, you will also have a glance at the agricultural farmlands of the Bagisu as well as Mountain Elgon.
There are various levels of this hike, so one can go as far as their energy can take them. While hiking, you will also enjoy the roaring sounds of the water as it plunges against the rocks.
After your hiking experience, you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, you will go for a coffee plantation visit/experience. Get an opportunity to trace the story of coffee all the way from the seed to the cup. Did you know that Sipi Falls Arabica Coffee is one of the world’s finest? During this experience, you will meet local coffee farmers, tour their plantations and learn about the life cycle of the crop and the role that they play in the process. You will also get to tour the local processing plant to see the selected coffee beans before shipment, learn the traditional art of roasting coffee and finally enjoy a delicious cup of coffee to sum it all up!
Dinner and overnight stay:
Crow’s Nest Campsite (below budget)
Lacam Lodge (on budget)
Sipi River Lodge (above budget)
Meal plan: all meals and drinking water
Day 9: Transfer to Kampala/ Entebbe International Airport
This day will mark the end of your 9 Days Mount Elgon Hiking Safari. You will wake up at leisure to a delicious breakfast, check out of your lodge and embark on your return journey to Kampala. Along the way, you will make a stop-over in Jinja city for lunch and then proceed to Kampala at your accommodation or Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- Hiking permit
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional English speaking guide
- A comprehensive safari vehicle
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- Fuel for the entire journey with unlimited mileage
- All Taxes/VAT
- Round-trip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (On all days)
Excluded
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc)
- The government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
NB:
The inclusions and exclusions of the safari can be handled depending on your preferences.
We can provide a professional tour guide that speaks any other language (of your choice) apart from English.
COVID 19 and Ebola travel Guidelines
Ensure to follow all the necessary COVID 19 and Ebola travel guidelines to ensure that you are in a safe and healthy condition during your safari with us. One of our major priority is to provide the best possible safety and comfort during your tour, so please rest assured that you will be in safe hands.
Some of the travel guidelines include wearing and carrying a sufficient number of surgical masks, moving with an alcohol based hand sanitizer, vaccination against COVID 19 or taking a PCR test and several others. Book with us today and get the safari of your dreams!
