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good fitness levels required
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18
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50
Overview
Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano that is said to have the largest surface area of any extinct volcano in the world and a caldera which covers over 40km2 at the top of the mountain. The highest peak, Wagagai, sits at 4,321m and is the second highest in Uganda and the eighth highest in Africa, though millions of years ago it was the continent’s tallest.
In addition to the interesting and unique flora and fauna, you can expect to experience magnificent waterfalls, enormous caves, scenic peaks and gorges, and hot springs which bubble up at 48’C.
The mountain is covered with dense montane forest at 2,500m then bamboo forest to 3,000m and above 3,500m the mountainside opens into moorland dotted with outlandish forms of giant lobelias and groundsels. Mount Elgon National Park is home to over 300 species of birds, including the African goshawk, Chubb’s cisticola, whitechinned prinia, African blue flycatcher and the endangered lammergeyer.
The Local People: Mt. Elgon is home to two tribes, the Bagisu and the Sabiny. The Bagisu, who live on the southern and western slopes of Mount Elgon are known for their colourful, biannual Imbalu ceremony in which boys are initiated into manhood through circumcision. The Bagisu, also known as the Bamasaba, consider Mount Elgon to be the embodiment of their founding father Masaba and refer to the mountain by this name.
Highlight
- Highest Point: reach wagagai peak
