Mount Elgon National Park

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

• Sipi Falls: Sipi Falls is located in the district Kapchorwa, northeast of the city of Mbale. It is possible to get a taxi to Sipi Falls from the main taxi rank in the centre of Mbale. Expect to pay 7,500-15,000 Ugandan shillings per person dependent on numbers in the group as taxis are more willing to make the trip if the taxi is full. It is acceptable (and generally expected) to haggle on the price. To attend Sipi Falls you do not have to obtain a permit for Mt. Elgon National Park though Sipi Falls is often used as a starting point for a hike up Mt. Elgon which can take a number of days. It is possible to swim in the base of the main Sipi Falls waterfall and stand under the it during the dryer season (January-May) but throughout the year there are smaller waterfalls and water holes you can swim in safely.

Lodging

Camping

Backcountry

Areas around Mt. Elgon are suspected to be natural reservoirs for the lethal Ebola and Marburg viruses. Tourists should not disturb wildlife and should not enter caves. If you begin to experience flu-like symptoms, proceed to a hospital immediately.