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Sipi Falls Elgon Mountaineering Tours Uganda
By admin | February 7, 2008
Tourist Activities, Mount Elgon National Park Uganda
Mountaineering
Mount Elgon National Park, mountaineering can be experienced on this volcanic mountain which is (4,321 m), the 4th highest mountain in East Africa, located in the eastern part of Uganda on the border with Kenya.
Its highest peak is Wagagai 4321m. Mount Elgon is the 4th Highest Mountain in East Africa. The hot springs bubbling on the Caldera floor, the spectacular water falls, caves, hot springs and mountain vegetation make it a spectacular place for visiting. You need: good water-proof hiking shoes, warm clothes, Rain clothes, gloves and a hat which covers the ears, sleeping sack and something to lie on (a foam mattress or an air mattress), a torch, spare batteries, 2 Thermos flasks, rucksack, Sea sack or a big holdall which can carry a weight of 10 kg.
Three main trailheads lead to the mountain’s peaks. The Budadiri (Sasa trailhead), forest exploration center-Kapkwai (Sipi trailhead) or Kapkwata (Piswa trailhead). Sasa trail is accessible from Mbale and is the most direct route to the peaks. It passes through the park’s largest area of bamboo forest.
Sipi trail leads to the Tutum cave hidden within extensive forest, while Piswa trail is famous for the Podpcarpus forest, a good place for wildlife viewing. The Sipi and Piswa trails start at much higher elevations with longer more gradual climbs to the peaks.
Visitors have options of returning using the same trails or descend via a different route. Each trail/route has camping stages with a nearby water source, as well as tent pads and latrines. A full trekking circuit to the peaks takes about 5 days to complete.
A trained ranger guide is required on all excursions to show you the way and enrich your journey by interpreting the flora and fauna of the environment. Local porters carry up to 18 kgs of supplies
Bird Watching
Mount Elgon has a recorded 300 species of birds. Among key species include Jackson’s and Moorland francolins, Red fronted parrot, Green Tinkerbird, Oriole-Finch
The best birding is along the Mountain bamboo trail a 7km loop that traverses a variety of montane habitats. Key species here are Olive Pigeon, Black and white casqued hornbill, Grey throated barbet and many other Slender –billed and mountain Greenbuls, Red-winged and montane oriole among others
Wildlife viewing
Game viewing is excellent and the Park is home to an estimated 400 elephants, buffalos, leopards, the protected colobus and blue monkeys, giant forest hog, waterbuck among other antelope species. A number of primates inhabit the mountain; other animals include bushbuck, antelope, civet, and wildcat and the elusive leopard.
Bush duiker, hyena, jackal, rock hyrax, buffalo and elephant can be seen between the forest and the moorland
Lush scenery sipi falls
The falls are located 55km north of Mbale, in the foothills of Mt Elgon and not far from the town of Kapchorwa. The Sipi River rises on the upper slopes of Mount Elgon cascading down the foothills over 7km to form a series of 4 pretty waterfalls Not only are the falls spectacular, so too are the views of Mt Elgon above them, and the wide plains of eastern and northern Uganda disappearing into the distance below.
There are three levels of falls, but the two upper levels are fairly small compared with the main drop. There are some excellent walks on a network of well-maintained local trails, and beautiful scenery in every direction. It is easy enough just to walk off on your own.
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