National Park · Eastern Uganda
Mount Elgon National Park
An extinct volcano with one of the largest calderas in the world, straddling the Uganda-Kenya border.
How to get there
By road from Mbale, the main eastern gateway town.
What to find
Multi-day caldera hikes, the Sipi Falls trail on the park's lower slopes, caves, and hot springs.
Overview
Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano on the Uganda–Kenya border, and one of the oldest in East Africa. Its caldera, about 40 km², is among the largest volcanic calderas in the world. Wagagai Peak (4,321m), on the Ugandan side, is the highest point.
The mountain rises through farmland, montane forest, bamboo and heather into open Afro-alpine moorland, and it's much quieter than Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya. Its lower slopes are home to the Bagisu people and some of Uganda's best Arabica coffee.
Highlights
- Multi-day hikes into the vast caldera and up to Wagagai Peak
- The three-tiered Sipi Falls on the lower slopes
- Caves, hot springs and Afro-alpine moorland
- Coffee tours with Bagisu farmers
Things to do
Summit and caldera treks
Routes include Sasa, Sipi and Piswa, taking 4 to 6 days for the full traverse.
Sipi Falls hikes
Half-day and full-day walks to all three waterfalls.
Coffee tours
See how Bugisu Arabica coffee is grown, processed and roasted.
Abseiling and rock climbing
Offered by operators around Sipi.
Best time to visit
June to August and December to March are the driest months for trekking. The waterfalls are at their fullest in the rains.
Getting there
Mbale is about 4 to 5 hours by road from Kampala. Sipi is about an hour further up the mountain.
Where to stay
Lodges around Sipi Falls with dramatic views, plus mountain camps for trekkers.
Sipi Falls & Mount Elgon
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Uganda →
Good to know
- Sipi Falls makes a relaxing stop even if you're not climbing.
- In August of even-numbered years, the Bagisu hold their famous Imbalu ceremonies.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.