4.321 meters is the answer!

The peak of Mount Elgon is called ‘Wagagai’ and is 4.321 meters high. 4321, easy to remember! Mount Elgon can be climbed from Budadiri or Kapkwai Exploration Center close to Sipi Falls. The hike takes 3,5 to 5 days depending on the pace and chosen route.

Jackson’s peak

A second well-known peak on the way to Wagagai is ‘Jackson’s Peak’, a free-standing volcanic plug at 4.165m. At this peak natives used to communicate with their ancestors. In terms of height Wagagai is followed by Sudek (4.303m.), Koitobos (4.222m.) and Mubiyi (4.210m.). 

Largest intact mountain caldera

Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano that first erupted about 24 million years ago. It has the largest surface area of all extinct volcanos in the world. It is the fourth highest mountain in East Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and the Rwenzori peaks in Western Uganda. Mount Elgon is the largest intact mountain caldera in the world.

1100 square kilometers

Mount Elgon is gazetted as a National Park and managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The park covers an area of 1279 square kilometers. It is bisected by the border of Kenya and Uganda. The largest part of the National Park is on the Ugandan side (1100 square kilometers).

Variety of wildlife

A variety of wildlife can be found in Mount Elgon National Park. Most commonly seen are the black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, baboons, duiker and tree squirrels. About 300 bird’s species are present in Mount Elgon such as the Tacazze sunbird, black-shouldered Kite and the endangered Lammergeyer.

Interested to hike Mount Elgon? Contact our local partner Elgon Trek!