7 Days Mount Elgon Hike (Sipi trail)

This 7 days Mount Elgon Hiking tour offers a great experience of exploring the flora and fauna of the Mount Elgon National Park. Apart from the trekking side of the mountain, there are lots of fascination attractions to see, among them, waterfalls, caves and hot springs as the trail leads you to the peak of Mount Elgon itself.

7 days Mount Elgon Hike highlights

Mountain Elgon climbing trails to Wagagai Peak
Transport using a customized 4WD safari Vehicle
6 nights Camping within Mountain Elgon national park
Delicious meals
Service of English Speaking guide/driver
Airport transfers

Climbing Mount Elgon

To climb Mount Elgon doesn’t require expertise or special mountaineering equipment. Climbers with little mountain climbing experience and first-timers can successfully climb Mount Elgon, the 7th highest mountain in Africa, standing at 4,321 meters above sea level.

Getting to Mount Elgon Base Camp

Mt. Elgon National Park can easily be accessed by car or bus by driving to the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA) base located in the outskirts of Mbale town If you intend to use public transport, the Elgon Flyer bus plies from Colville Street in Kampala to Mount Elgon’s base camp. There is ample and secure parking in the base camp of Mount Elgon.

Mount Elgon park fees and cost

Mount Elgon park entry fees cost around $90 per person per day for foreign visitors and tourists and about 60,000 Ugandan Shillings (local currency) for East Africans which should be paid at the gate before climbing the mountain. Camping fees at Mount Elgon cost around 15,000 Ugandan Shillings per night per person and costs the same amount of 15,000 Ugandan Shillings per day per porter. Porters will assist you to carry your mountain equipment. cooking equipment and will be responsible for preparing your meals. All you need to bring along is your hiking boots, sleeping bag, a backpack that contains your day to day essentials and mountain clothing that will keep you warm.

Required equipment for climbing Mount Elgon

Rucksack
Sleeping bag for low temperature & sleeping mat
One plate
Cutlery
Mug
knife
Trekking shoes
Poncho or raincoat
Heavy warm jacket
Hand gloves-Scarf and hat
One jumper
A torch and some tablets
Comfortable & well-fitting hiking boots
Warm clothes for night time as it often gets cold
A proper Camera
A head torch for climbing
Insect repellant/spray

Day1

Travel from Entebbe / Kampala to Mbale

After an early breakfast, drive to Eastern Uganda, making a stop at Jinja Town for sumptuous lunch and visiting River Nile’s source and taking a boat ride at the beautiful Nile and lake Victoria before proceeding towards the East to Mbale in Uganda. Have lunch in Jinja town and thereafter drive out and proceed further east to Mbale. Mount Elgon is very visible from Mbale which is located at the foot slopes of Mount Elgon.

Dinner and Overnight at a recommended hotel in Mbale

Day 2

Kapkway – Tutum Camp ( 2667 m )

After morning breakfast and check out you will proceed to the Kapkway Exploration Center through Sipi where Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters are located. This will be your meeting point with your mountain climbing crew that includes porters, cook and guide, ready with the required mountain equipment and food supplies.

We begin with a hike to Tutum Cave Camp at an elevation of 2667 m traversing Montane and bamboo forest vegetation. The Tutum cave is uniquely tucked deep inside the forest, afterwards, you will set camp for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3

Tutum Camp – Kajeri Camp ( 3383 m ) 

On the third day of your Mount Elgon hike, you will proceed to Kajeri Camp at an altitude of about 3383 m above sea level coming from your previous campsite. After early morning breakfast, you will cover an estimated distance of about 17km on foot before retiring to your next camp for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4

Kajeri Camp – Mude Camp ( 3,500 m ) 

After breakfast in the morning, you will spend this day hiking down to Mude Camp at an altitude of about 3,500 m above sea level after the camp above called Muyembe Cave Camp at a trail that meets up the Sasa Trail. Today’s hike takes a whole day and covers a total distance of about 25km with a few stopovers for lunch then proceeding with your hike until reaching the final camp for the day for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5

Mude Camp to Wagagai Peak ( 4321 m )

Day 5 takes you for a hike to Wagagai Peak after early morning breakfast a beautiful trail that will have you trekking through the moorland zone approaching the peak whereby you will make stopovers for lunch before going back to the Mude campsite. It is basically an all-day trek that covers a total distance of about 18km before you get to your campsite for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

Day 6

Mude Camp descend to Budadiri

The 6th day of the 7 day Mount Elgon trek is dedicated to descending. You will go down the mountain towards the Budadiri gate which is located close to Mbale.

Meal plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

Day 7