Mount Elgon National Park

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Mount Elgon is Kenya’s second highest mountain in Kenya. It lies 140 km north-east of Lake Victoria and is bisected by the Kenya-Uganda border.

An ancient eroded volcano with a huge caldera, its summit has the spectacular flat-topped basalt column known as Koitobos.

Another unique feature of the mountain is the lava tube caves, some over 60 metres wide and only caves in the world frequented by elephants (and other animals) digging for salts.

Mount Elgon National Park was gazetted in 1968 and covers a narrow transect on its north-eastern slopes. The remaining forest and moorland is part of the Mount Elgon Forest Reserve.

Mount Elgon is Kenya’s second highest mountain in KenyaMount Elgon in Kenya

Contact details

PO Box 753, KitaleTel: +254 (0)54 310456/7Email: menp@swiftkenya.com

www.kws.go.ke

Contact person

Senior Warden

Location

On the western border of Kenya with Uganda, in Trans-Nzoia District of Rift Valley Province.

Distance from Nairobi

420 km

Size

169 square km

Park fees

Go to www.kws.go.ke or contacttour operator.

Climatic conditions

The climate is moist to moderate dry. Annual rainfall is over1,270 mm


The vegetation of Mount Elgon  national park

Attractions of Mount Elgon

Together with the fauna and flora, the park is endowed withvariety and breathtaking scenery of cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, mesas, calderas, hot springs, and the mountain peaks.

Wildlife in Mount Elgon

Elephant, leopard, giant forest hog, bushback, buffalo, duiker,black and white colobus, blue monkeys, and golden cat, among others. Birds: More than 240 bird species in the area, including the African crowned eagle, Ross’ turaco and red-fronted parrot.

Access to Mount Elgon

Road:

Access is via tarmac roadto Kitale, branch to murram road and then to the Chorlim Gate. Two routes to the gate can be used, either via Endebess or take the tarmac road 15 km past Kitale and turn left onto a murrum road leading to the gate.

Mount Elgon LodgeMount Elgon Lodge


Accommodation in Mount Elgon

Lodges: 

Mount Elgon Lodge, 0.5 km outside the park gate

KWS Self-Catering

Accommodation: Kapkuro Bandas, Koitoboss Guesthouse, Kitum Guesthouse

Best time to visit

All year round

Activities in Mount Elgon

Vehicle circuits leading to animal viewing areas, the cavesand Koitoboss peak; self-guided walking trails (ask for the KitumCave guide book at the gate); hiking to Endebess Bluff and Koitoboss Peak; primate and bird watching; cave explorations;camping; horse-riding; photography.

Other Related Pages

Nairobi national park | Aberdare National Park in Kenya | Amboseli National Park in Kenya | Arabuko Sosoke Forest National Park | Lake Nakuru national park | Mount Kenya national Park | Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park | Mount Longonot National Park | Mwea National Reserve in Kenya | Nasolot National Reserve | Ndere Island National Park in Kenya | Bisanadi National Park | Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserve | Chyulu Hills National Park | Hells Gate National Park |
Wildlife and attractions of Mount Elgon National Park



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