Mt. Elgon, on the Kenya/Uganda border is a volcanic mountain, formed when the earth’s crust erupted, creating the Great Rift Valley. The National park is one of Kenya’s most beautiful, still wild and intact, with vast areas of untouched forest. Game viewing is excellent: the Park is home to an estimated 400 elephants, buffalo, leopard, the protected colobus and blue monkeys, giant forest hog, waterbuck and various other types of antelope. Over 240 species of birds have been recorded. Huge Elgon Teak and cedar trees, some over 80ft. tall dominate the forest scenery.
A major attraction is a series of four caves, Kitum, Makingeni, Chepnyalil and Ngwarisha, all accessible. Kitum is the largest, extending horizontally for 200m into the heart of the mountain. In Maasai, its name means “Place of Ceremonies”.
The caves are favourite gathering places for elephants. Every night long convoys venture deep into the caves to feed off the salt rich deposits. This nightly phenomenon has earned them the title “cave elephants”.
Mt. Elgon also offers excellent climbing and walking opportunities. No special equipment for hiking is required and the park management provides guides. The highest peak on the Kenya side is Koitobos (4,200m). It is reached across beautiful moorlands and the hot springs can be visited on the way.
The park is criss-crossed by three rivers leading to Lake Turkana: Suam, Kerio and Turkwell, with the Nzoia River feeding Lake Victoria. Sport fishing is available in the Suam River. There are no lodges inside the park, but there are three campsites and one picnic site. Three short nature trails lead to Kitum Cave, Makingeni Cave and the Elephant Bluff.
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