Yes, most visitors need a visa, which is best arranged in advance through Uganda’s official online e-visa portal. If you are also visiting Kenya and Rwanda, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers all three countries on a single application. We guide you through the process as part of planning your trip.
National Park
mount elgon national park
Eastern Uganda, East Africa
Eastern Uganda, East Africa
Mount Elgon is a world of waterfalls, coffee-clad foothills and sweeping views from a summit of 4,321 m. An ancient, extinct volcano with one of the largest calderas on earth, its upper slopes are clothed in giant heathers and groundsels and alive with birdsong — from the distinctive call of Jackson’s francolin to the soar of the rare lammergeyer overhead. Unbeaten Hiking OpportunitiesOne of Africa’s great hiking destinations, Mount Elgon can be walked year-round. Popular routes take in Khauka Cave, Chebonet Falls, the bamboo trail to the Kapkwai Caves and the Tutum Caves, alongside full…
Mount Elgon is a world of waterfalls, coffee-clad foothills and sweeping views from a summit of 4,321 m. An ancient, extinct volcano with one of the largest calderas on earth, its upper slopes are clothed in giant heathers and groundsels and alive with birdsong — from the distinctive call of Jackson’s francolin to the soar of the rare lammergeyer overhead.
Unbeaten Hiking OpportunitiesOne of Africa’s great hiking destinations, Mount Elgon can be walked year-round. Popular routes take in Khauka Cave, Chebonet Falls, the bamboo trail to the Kapkwai Caves and the Tutum Caves, alongside full multi-day climbs to the summit.
The Spectacular Sipi FallsThe jewel of the region, Sipi Falls is a series of dramatic waterfalls on the mountain’s foothills. Guided trails lead visitors to its viewpoints and to the other falls that tumble down the slopes.
Terrific Scenery and Magnificent ViewsMount Elgon’s landscape is wonderfully varied — rolling hills, cliffs and valleys, the vast caldera, gorges, streams, hot springs, caves, and open heath and moorland on the heights.
Astonishing CulturesThe mountain’s foothills are home to the Bagisu people, famous for the Imbalu circumcision ceremony, a vibrant public rite marking a young man’s passage into adulthood.
Unforgettable BirdingWith the Kapkwai Exploration Centre a noted birding base, Mount Elgon rewards birders with species such as the African blue flycatcher, African goshawk and white-chinned prinia, alongside its montane specials.
Outstanding Rock ClimbingThe park offers 14 established rock-climbing routes, ranging from beginner climbs of around 15 m to expert pitches of up to 35 m.
More Information About Mount Elgon National ParkSet in eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya, the park covers about 1,121 km² on the Ugandan side and was gazetted in 1992. Its highest point, Wagagai, reaches 4,321 m; long-eroded from its former height, Elgon is today East Africa’s fourth-highest mountain, after Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and the Rwenzori. It is home to over 300 bird species, including the endangered lammergeyer.
Where to StaySipi River Lodge, Lacam Lodge, Mbale Resort Hotel and Mount Elgon Hotel, along with camping sites — suiting hikers, climbers, birders, photographers and those simply wishing to relax.
How to Get ThereBy air: Charter flights run from Kajjansi Airfield or Entebbe International Airport to Soroti airstrip, then continue by road.By road: About 235 km east of Kampala, via the main tarmac road through Jinja to Mbale, then on to the park.
The best time to visit Uganda
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
- Recommended
- Transitional
- Challenging conditions
Uganda is a year-round destination, lying on the equator with a warm, temperate climate and no true off-season. The two dry seasons — June to September and December to February — are the most popular, offering firmer forest trails for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking and easier wildlife viewing. The wetter months bring lush, green landscapes, lower rates and fewer visitors, and gorilla trekking continues all year. The guide below shows what to expect month by month.
- January
- Dry season; warm, clear days and excellent conditions for gorilla trekking and savannah game viewing.
- February
- One of the driest months, with firm trekking trails and superb wildlife viewing across the parks.
- March
- The long rains usually begin late in the month; early March is still dry and green, with fewer travellers.
- April
- The height of the long rains. Forest trails are muddy and trekking is more demanding, though landscapes are vivid and low-season rates apply.
- May
- The long rains continue, with the wettest conditions of the year; lush scenery, quiet parks and the best value.
- June
- The rains ease and the long dry season begins — prime time for gorilla trekking and wildlife.
- July
- Dry, reliable weather and excellent trekking and game-viewing conditions; a popular month, so plan early.
- August
- Continued dry season, with firm trails and strong wildlife sightings across the country.
- September
- Dry and rewarding, with good trekking conditions and thinner crowds than mid-year.
- October
- The short rains arrive, bringing afternoon showers, green landscapes and fewer visitors.
- November
- The wettest of the short-rains months; trails can be slippery, but birding is excellent with migratory species present.
- December
- The dry season returns from mid-month, bringing clear, festive-season conditions ideal for trekking and safaris.
Wildlife in Mount Elgon National Park
- Elephant
- Cape Buffalo
- Vulture
- Baboon
- Colobus Monkey
- Chameleon
Frequently asked questions
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Uganda. Anti-malarial precautions are strongly recommended, and we advise consulting your doctor or a travel clinic well before departure for the most current personal advice.
Gorilla permits are limited and in high demand, so they should be booked months ahead — especially for the dry season. As your operator, we secure your permits for you and build your entire itinerary around your confirmed trekking dates.
Lightweight, long-sleeved layers in neutral colours, sturdy waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, gardening-style gloves for gripping vegetation, and a daypack for water and your camera. Mornings can be cool and trails wet, so come prepared for mud and sudden showers.
Mountain gorillas live in two southwestern parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half the world’s population, and the smaller Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga volcanoes.
Yes. Uganda is the best country in the world to combine the two. Chimpanzee tracking is superb in Kibale Forest — the primate capital of East Africa — and also possible in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth and the Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls.
Uganda’s savannah parks hold elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and hippo, along with zebra, giraffe and many antelope. Queen Elizabeth is famous for its tree-climbing lions, while Kidepo Valley in the northeast offers cheetah and vast herds in a remote, untouched setting.
Exceptionally so. With over 1,080 recorded species across 33 Important Bird Areas, Uganda is one of Africa’s finest birding destinations, home to the rare shoebill, the great blue turaco, and countless Albertine Rift endemics.
The dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the easiest trekking and game viewing, but Uganda is a rewarding year-round destination, and gorilla trekking continues through every month.
Most journeys are by private 4x4 with a driver-guide, with scheduled and chartered flights linking Entebbe to park airstrips for longer distances. We also arrange private helicopter and flying safaris for a faster, more scenic way to travel.
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