Where to Hike...

Getting to the slopes of Mount Elgon is quite straight forward by public transport as there are numerous communities that live on and around the mountain.

However, Elgon is a large mountain, and its base covers a vast area (one of the largest, if not the largest, in the world!). So, pick your spot on the mountain, or a few, and plan your hikes around them. 

Accommodation is only available in a handful of these communities, so it is best to head to one of these places.

Day hikes are possible both outside and inside the National Park. Hiking inside the National Park offers you the chance to experience wilderness, largely free of human settlement and activities. However, you must organise a permit and a guide at one of the park offices (how?), which will also lighten your wallet a bit (how much?).

We suggest these two ideas for a day hike:

  Sipi Falls

  Budadiri to Sasa River Camp (and back)

  Day Hike 1 - Sipi Falls...

Gorgeous lush green scenery, beautiful waterfalls, a good road (one of the best in Uganda!) and a choice of accommodation (for a range of budgets) make this a popular spot.

The largest waterfall is truly a sight to behold, especially during the rainy season (roughly March-May and July-September). The trailhead lies behind the small trading center, on your left if you are coming from Mbale (south).

It's a short hike (less than an hour), almost entirely downhill to the main waterfall. It is fairly steep and can be quite slippery, so wear good shoes! Along the trail, you will come across a small makeshift office where you can pay the entrance fee (just a few dollars - make sure you get a receipt!).

The trail leads straight to the waterfall. If you are feeling adventurous, head down to the pool, but be careful - it is very steep and slippery!

You may return by the same trail, or continue on an alternate trail that heads back to the road and is less steep. This is not well marked, however.

Another popular option is to hike to the three main waterfalls. Either enquire locally about the trail or arrange for a guide (won't cost you much) at one of the guesthouses or lodges.

And lest we forget, you can kick it up a notch (or ten) by abseiling down the cliff! We've heard and read about it, but can't give you first hand information - yet.

How to get there?

From Mbale (about four hours east of Kampala): from the clock tower at the center of town, head up Kumi road. Look for a matatu (minibus taxi) heading to Kapchorwa and ask to be dropped off at Sipi trading center. It's a beautiful drive with a number of switchbacks and dramatic views (nearer to Sipi) and takes just over an hour.

Where to stay?

On arrival at Sipi, you'll notice a number of signposts advertising guesthouses, lodges and camping facilities. Simply enquire around and choose the one that suits your taste and wallet the best!

Note: on arrival at Sipi, you might be approached by a number people asking you to hire them as a guide or to pay the entrance fees. Use your judgement. We think it is best not to hire a child as a guide (especially if it is a school day) and it is better to pay the entrance fee at the office along the trail.

 Day Hike 2 - Budadiri to Sasa River Camp

This day hike takes you from Budadiri up to Sasa River Camp inside the National Park, and back. The round trip is over 20 kilometers making this ideal for the really energetic. If you don't fancy giving your legs such a workout, no worries, there are ways to cut the distance down by half or more.

take a boda boda (motorbike taxi) from Budadiri for about 5km (and do the same on the way back)

fix a turn around time and go along the trail as far as you can comfortably in that time.

Since the hike takes you inside the National Park, you need to organise a permit and a guide. Conveniently, there's a Park office in Budadiri. Make the arrangements the day prior to the hike, but pay on the day (that way, you can pull out if it rains).

Make sure you get an early start. After about 5km up the steep path from Budadiri trading center (either on foot or boda), you will turn left up small paths through many fields and across a stream until you reach the Cliffs of Death, the boundary of the national park. (Optionally you can turn around here and avoid paying - though a guide is still highly recommended.)

So many Beautiful flowers and plants. The cliffs can be muddy and of course steep - however, with the ladders (not vertical) there is no mortal danger, but watch your step. (It is not recommended to cross this section in heavy rain.)

Above the cliffs another world awaits. A canopy of trees with monkeys swinging, vibrant birdsong with a mini dirt highway cut through the thick ferns on the jungle floor. After an hour of moving steadily up, you will reach a clear zone with long green and silver bamboo punctuating the chest-high foliage.

From here, it is a pleasant stroll to Sasa River Camp (where trekkers usually camp the first night), right across the chilly river.

It's a a long way down, the same way you went up. A good pair of boots and a walking stick can ease the journey somewhat.

How to get there?

From Mbale (about four hours east of Kampala): from the clocktower at the center of town, head up Kumi road. Look for a matatu (minibus taxi) heading to Budadiri. The drive is about forty-five minutes.

Where to stay?

Rose's Last Chance is where most travellers stay. Simple rooms, good food and right opposite the National Park office. Rose can also help you get organised for the hike.