Mount Elgon Sipi Trail

Mount Elgon Trekking Tour

A special experience for mountain and trekking friends is the climb of the majestic Mount Elgon Sipi Trail. You walk through spectacular landscapes, dense jungle and bamboo forest. The Sipi Trail lead you to the famous Tutum Cave, the largest cave in Uganda. Elephants and other mammals came to lick salts until a few years ago. On the Sipi Route you will hike through the most beautiful part of the rainforest on Mount Elgon and across the colorful flower meadow of the crater. Overall, this route is much easier to walk than the Sasa Route.

TRAVEL SCHEDULE AND HIGHLIGHTS

Trekking Mount Elgon Sipi Trail

Day 1 Uganda – Arrival Entebbe – Mbale
Today we start early from Kampala via Jinja to Mbale, the starting point of the Mount Elgon Sipi Trail. During the trip we get first impressions of Uganda. Fresh Fruits are sold directly on the street. You will see the green tea and sugar cane plantations as well as Lake Victoria. In Jinja you pass at the Owen Falls Dam, which is the biggest electricity power plant in Uganda. Near Mbale, you will see the whole Mount Elgon plateau.

Day 2   Uganda – Mount Elgon Sipi Trail, Kapchorwa Gate 2045 m – Tutum Cave 2685 m
In the morning you will drive to Kapchorwa Gate. From here the hike begins through the dense rainforest. Colobus monkeys sit in the treetops of moss-covered trees. This first section of the Mount Elgon hike leads over an ridge. On the left hand an impressive valley opens and you might hear sounds of hornbill. Near the Tutum Cave is the first camp.

Day 3   Uganda – Mount Elgon Sipi Trail, Tutum Cave 2685 m – Kajeri Camp 3026 m
After the breakfast you will leave the camp. A short rocky section needs to be crossed. Then the Sipi Route continues through the rainforest, followed by a section of bamboo plants. After about 1/3 of the track you cross the Sipi River, followed by a longer ascent. After about one hour you will enjoy a beautiful view over the plateau. The vegetation suddenly has changed and you can enjoy your walk under the African sun. The very idyllic camp is located directly on the river below the Kajeri waterfall.

Day 4   Uganda – Mount Elgon Sipi Trail, Kajeri Camp 3026 m – Mude Cave Camp
Today is a long stage ahead of you. There are several mountain ridges and valleys in Mount Elgon National Park to overcome. On the left hand, you can see a long flat rock. The Trail leads you several times up and down. After about 6 hours, the beautiful crater is in front of you. In this high altitude  countless colourful flowers as well as different kind of grasses are growing here. Your path leads right through interrupted by small water streams.

Day 5   Uganda – Mount Elgon Sipi Trail, Mude Cave Camp 3479 m – Wagagay Peak 4321 m
In the early morning you set off for Wagagay Peak. The path leads back a few hundred meters on the path of the previous day. Then the path goes steeply uphill to Jackson Peak. After about 2 hours you reach the crater rim, where the ascent continues for a few kilometres. On clear blue days, the view of the surrounding plains and the crater is particularly impressive.

Day 6 Uganda – Mount Elgon Sipi Trail, Mude Cave Camp 3479m – Sasa River Camp
After breakfast, today we will take an easy leg to the Sasa River Camp. After leaving the Mude Camp the view into the valley becomes clear. The well-groomed path leads past a ranger station. At about 3320 meters of altitude you dive into the rainforest. Take some breaks for photos – perhaps you catch one of the colourful Turacos, whose distinctive sounds echo through the forest.

Day 7   Uganda – Mount Elgon Sipi Trail, Sasa River Camp 2840m – Buma Sola 1710m
On the last part of your track you will need to pass some stages. Although the stage is short, it should not be underestimated due the steep descent. Especially on rainy days, the path within the Mount Elgon National Park is very slippery. The well-known “Wall of Death” does not need to worry you in any way, because the 3 steel stairs (no ladders) are to cope for every hiker. Around noon, you will reach Bumasola Gate and drive to Jinja for overnight.

Day 8   Departure day – Entebbe
You can spend one or more nights in Jinja. Lake Victoria Lake offers a variety of activities including rafting, boat trip to the Nile, hiking and MTB tours. Otherwise, we will drive you back to Entebbe today, from where the journey home begins or the start of a connection program, for example.