Mount Kenya | Mount Kilimanjaro | Mount Meru | Aberdares | Elgon | Rwenzori

 

7 DAYS MT. ELGON CROSS BORDER TREK

A hike across Mt. Elgon (4321m), which straddles the Uganda-Kenya border, with wonderful features including the largest caldera in Africa.

 

Day 1: Drive through the towns of Naivasha, Nakuru, Eldoret, Webuye and Bungoma to arrive at Malaba border town. Finalise immigration formalities before proceeding on to Mbale (Uganda) - about 60kms away for dinner and overnight at the Sunrise Inn.

 

Day 2: After breakfast, drive via the Mbale Immigration office to Budadiri information centre. This is where we meet our Ugandan crew for the mountain trip. Finalise the mountain formalities and a formal introduction to the guide and porters, and then relax for the rest of the afternoon in surrounding vicinity of Budadiri shopping centre. Overnight in a family owned banda at the Budadiri where you have an opportunity to sample some Ugandan cuisine.

 

Day 3: Have an early breakfast, then set off on a 5-6 hour trek to Sasa River camp (2900m). The hike takes you through dense montane forest and mixed bamboo belts teeming with a variety of wildlife including high altitude avifauna, the rare black and white colobus monkey buffalo, hyena, antelopes and occasional leopard among others. Dinner and overnight at Sasa River Camp (2900m).

 

Day 4: Leave Sasa River Camp(2900m) to tackle the last of the bamboo belt as the vegetation gradually changes to heath and moorland. Have a brief stop at the park rangers' patrol hut (3300m) to admire the view before proceeding for lunch at Mudeye caves. Dinner and overnight is at Mude camp (3500m). If you are energetic enough and depending on time of arrival, can optionally hike to Jackson's Peak (4165m) for acclimatization or relax at the camp.

 

Day 5: An early start for Wagagai peak (4321m), the highest point of Mt. Elgon and is situated on Uganda side. On a clear day is a fantastic view of the entire eastern side of Uganda including Mbale town. Also a clear view of Koitobos peak (4230m) the highest peak on Kenyan side. Return for dinner and overnight at Mude camp (3500m).

 

Day 6: After an early breakfast, is a 5-6 hour walk on a continuous stretch of an enormous caldera heading for Koitoboss peak (4230m). Hike via hot springs on the Kenya-Uganda border. Then hike up a steep ridge to meet the Kenyan team, which will be waiting for us on arrival. Then descend further on to the roadhead to catch a vehicle for a transfer down to the park gate (3000m) to spend the night either in the bandas or at the Park gate campsite.

 

Day 7: Optional visit to the wonderful caves found on the Kenyan side of the Mountain (weather conditions and time permitting), then drive to Nairobi, driving through Kitale town and the farmlands of Trans-Nzoia, Eldoret and Nakuru to arrive at Nairobi in the evening.
NB: This trek combines well with a safari through the Rift Valley-Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru or Lake Naivasha.