Gorilla Trekking and Mount Elgon Hiking
The combination of gorilla trekking and Mount Elgon hiking is one of the most interesting adventure safaris you can take in Uganda. Travelers engage in hiking Mount Elgon and encountering large and powerful primates. Mountain Elgon hiking is located in Mountain Elgon National Park in eastern Uganda. More so, the mountain is at the border of Uganda and Kenya. The park is under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority the same organization that manages Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (a place for gorilla trekking safaris).
Additionally, Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano with one of the largest volcano bases. This mountain once erupted 24 million years ago and it was one of the highest mountains in Africa exceeding Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to soil erosion, Mount Elgon lost its position of being the highest in Africa. The mountain’s highest point is Wagagai Peak standing at an elevation of 4321 meters above sea level. In these mountains, there are several cultural communities including Bagisu and Sabiny. They make up for an amazing community tour on your gorilla trekking and Mount Elgon hiking tour or trip.
Gorilla trekking on the other hand can only be done in two safari destinations in Uganda. These include; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The two parks are adjacently located in the southwestern part of Uganda. They are part of the Virunga Conservation Area which stretches to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is in this region that we find mountain gorillas in the world. A combined Uganda gorilla trekking and Mount Elgon hiking tour with Native Africa Tours allows you to explore these amazing destinations in just a single trip.
How long does hiking Mount Elgon take?
Hiking Mount Elgon takes about 4 to 6 days through the different trails of the park. Some of the hiking trails include;
Sasa trail
This is the shortest trail to reach the highest peak of the mountain but so challenging. In this trail, travelers take about 4 days to hike the mountain and it is under the management of the Elgon trekking services. The trail starts from the Bugiboni base camp.
Sipi trail
The tail is the longest in the park. At the start, the trail is smooth for travelers but it gets more challenging as you move up the mountain. The Sipi trail starts from the Kapkwai Exploration Centre. While on the hike on this trail, travelers will encounter Tutum caves, Simu Gorge, and rainforests with several monkeys.
Nabuyonga trail
Travelers to engage in a hike through the Nabuyonga trail are supposed to obtain trekking permits through a reputable tour operator. Although it is a challenging trail, it takes you through the second-highest peak of the mountain Elgon. It is worth the walk as you conquer the mountain during your combined gorilla trekking and Mount Elgon hiking adventure.
Bushiyi trail
This is the shortest trail in the park which travelers on their safaris can use for the shortest time to reach the peak. Travelers take about 3 days to encounter the mountain. Travelers are supposed to choose any of these trails to engage in the safari.
Tips for a successful gorilla trekking and Mount Elgon hiking tour
Travelers are supposed to consider the following for the successful hike of Mount Elgon;
- Follow the instructions of ranger guides
- Stay fit for the hike
- Stay hydrated by carrying enough water
- Carry enough food (energy-giving snacks) for the hike
- Wear waterproof clothing
- Book your permits ahead of time
- Enjoy the moments
Where to stay in Mount Elgon
While on a safari to Mount Elgon, there are a variety of accommodation facilities that travelers can choose to stay and they include; Sipi Valley Resort, Mbale Resort Hotel, Lacam Lodge, Kayegi Hotel, Noar Ark Hotel, Kapkwai Cottages, Elgon View Hotel, and many more. Keep in mind that booking any of these lodges through Native Africa Tours increases your chances of getting discounted offers. This is how we ensure that you don’t break the bank while panning a combined gorilla trekking and Mount Elgon hiking safari.
Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking is a search for mountain gorillas in forested areas. The tracked gorillas are usually in groups also known as families. Gorilla habituation is the process of making these apes get used to human beings. The habituation process takes about 2 years for the gorillas to get used to the human presence. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in two national parks. These include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In Uganda, there are over 25 habituated gorilla families that travelers can encounter during their gorilla trekking safaris. If you want to see any of these mountain gorillas in the park, you are supposed to book a gorilla trekking permit. A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that allows travelers to see mountain gorillas. This legal document is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and can only be booked through a reputable tour operator like Native Africa Tours. The gorilla trekking permit costs 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 500 USD for the rest of Africa, and 300,000 UGX for East African residents.
Alternatively, if you need more time with the gorillas in Uganda, you can also take part in the gorilla habituation experience. unlike gorilla trekking where you will spend an hour in the presence of the apes, you will spend about 4 hours with gorillas on a habituation experience. Travelers to engage in this habituation, are supposed to have acquired the gorilla habituation permit.
In Uganda, gorilla habituation is done in the Rushaga sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A gorilla habituation permit costs about 1,500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 1000 USD for foreign residents and the rest of Africa, and 750,000 UGX for East African residents.
Sample itinerary for a combined gorilla trekking and Mount Elgon hiking Safari
The sample itinerary for a combined gorilla trekking and Mount Elgon hiking safari or trip takes about 7 to 8 days for the travelers to encounter the destinations.
Day 1: Pickup and transfer to Mbale
On arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will start over with the transfer to Mbale. During the transfer, you will make a stopover in Jinja for relaxation and then proceed to Mbale. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Hiking Mount Elgon
While in Mbale, you will start with an early morning breakfast and then proceed to the Bushiyi ranger post for the briefing about the hiking. You will then start over with the hike up to the Dubi camp which is about 19 kilometers away from the Bushiyi camp.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: Hike up to the Wagagai Peak
Day 3 will start over with a morning breakfast at the Dubi camp. Later on, you will go ahead with the hike. The Wagagai peak will take about 9 kilometers through the heather moorland where you will have the best views on the soft grounds of the mountain. As you arrive at the Wagagai Peak, you will have time to relax, and take pictures, and then you will have lunch there. Later on, you will descend to the Dubi camp for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 4: Descend back to the Bushiyi ranger post
On day 4, you will wake early morning and descend back to the Bushiyi ranger post. Then you will proceed with the transfer to Kampala where the transfer will take about 5 to 6 hours of the day. Upon arrival in Kampala, you will be transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After your early morning breakfast, you will start over with the transfer to the Bwindi impenetrable national park in southwestern Uganda. The transfer to the park will take about 8 to 9 hours and upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: Gorilla trekking and community tour
While in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will start over with the morning breakfast and then proceed to the park headquarters for the briefing about the gorilla. You will be highlighted the dos and don’ts about the gorilla trekking. You will go ahead with the gorilla trekking which will take about 2 to 7 hours of the day. Upon meeting them, you will have 1 hour to view them. Later on, you will continue to the community for the Batwa experience where you will engage in activities like coffee roasting, banana brewing, cultural dances, and many others.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Kampala
On the last day of the safari, you will start over with the morning breakfast and then go ahead with the transfer to Kampala. The transfer will take about 8 to 9 hours to reach Kampala. Upon arrival in Kampala, you will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flights. This will mark the end of your combined gorilla trekking and Mount Elgon hiking safari.
Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch
