The Uganda Wildlife Authority in conjunction with A 1Services, a marketing consultancy firm last week organized a five day Mount Elgon Climbing challenge which attracted hikers from various corporate organizations.

Long walks through a rugged terrain, slippery trails chilly, misty weather and thick vegetation to and from Africa’s seventh highest peak on Mountain Elgon provided a real challenge and an unforgettable experience to the enthusiastic participants.

Following the recent Bududa mudslides incident which might have created a scare in some minds about the safety of the mountain and conservation area, the challenge renewed community and media confidence attractiveness of area as a prime tourist destination.

Over 14 individuals including four ladies two of them from Uganda Tourism Board(UTB)one from Red Cross and the fourth from Page one Services, enthusiastically embarked on the expedition effective June 14th, 2010.

After a briefing at the Budadri Visitor Information centre in Sironko district by the manager Mount Elgon Conservation Area (MECA) Mr. Adonia Bintoora and the guides led by Fred Kipsung , the group armed with warm clothing, hiking shoes and rain gear kicked off their challenged at Sasa Trail head ,1,250 meters above sea level(ASL)walking to the drop off point at Bumasola Trading centre where the single file trail led them to the park boundary through meandering village paths.

By mid –day the group had approached the park boundary adjacent to Mudanga cliffs before enduring the slippery sharp bends along the wooden staircases with rail guards,which some guides said used to be referred to as the “wall of death” It is advisable that a hiker should avoid leaning on them or relying on them for support as any breakdown might lead to one rolling over a sharp cliff.

After a tedious long winding trek through the wet misty forest and montane forest vegetation characterized by resting intervals, the group eventually arrived at Sasa River camp at 2900 m ASL for an overnight rest making use of tents, sleeping mats.

On the second day, the youthful delegation resumed the long trek through the bamboo and moorland, the steep Kingodo ridge amidst chilling weather that worsened with higher attitude, headed for the more spacious Mude cave camp which boasts of a 16 berth camp site. The camp is famous and derives its name from a former notorious poacher known as Mude who used to poach park animals and would smoke them at rock cave before selling roast meat to the neighbouring communities.

The third day was the most challenging for the group who had to endure a grueling 18 km return leg to and from Wagagai the highest pick on Mountain Elgon at 4321 m ASL but the excitement of viewing spectacular sceneries like Jackson pool, Jackson summit, the 40km diameter caldera, the crate lakes, Suam gorge,unique plants like the Giant Lobelia elgoneisis endemic to Mount Elgon were all a mitigating factor for the body and mental fatigue.

Fortunately Red Cross staff were always at hand to massage and take care of any emergencies while the guides exhibited a lot of professional customer care and patience befitting varying individual needs.

The group made it to the highest peak at different times but was quick to embark on the return leg targeting to shorten the following day’s trek, by camping at Sasa river camp. Other individuals had plans of adding and additional 6 km return journey from Mude cave camp to the breath-taking Dirigani falls and no level of exhaustion could stop them.

On the fourth day, the hiking group that had got immune to the challenging terrain and unfriendly weather conditions set off early for their long descent grappling with the forces of gravity knocking their toes against their shoes and at times crawling on the wet slippery ground to reach the park boundary by 1.p.m.

The hikers proceeded through the community land to Bumasola-Budadri and on to Mbale for an overnight stay. The challenge was crowned by a get together lunch with the community which attracted local leaders from Sironko and Mbale districts, officials from Uganda Tourism Board, Banking institutions, Nile Breweries and the host Uganda Wildlife Authority.

A representative of the Sironko district local government Mr. Victor Wanyoto pledged to continue working with the communities to promote local tourism while the Marketing manager Uganda Wildlife Authority Mr. Ivan Kakooza urged everybody to be good ambassadors in highlighting Mount Elgon Conservation Area as a leading-safe tourist destination.