Embark on a fantastic 5-day adventure to the summit of Mount Elgon, a majestic extinct volcano with the largest intact caldera in the world. This itinerary is perfectly paced, allowing for a comfortable journey to the mountain on the first day, ensuring you are well-rested and ready for the climb.
Your trek follows the Sasa Trail, the most direct route to the summit, offering a challenging and exhilarating experience. You will journey through a rich tapestry of ecosystems—from dense forests to the vast, otherworldly moorlands on the high slopes. Reaching the Wagagai Peak and gazing out across the immense caldera is a moment of pure awe and a true accomplishment.
Your adventure begins this morning as we pick you up from your location in Kampala or Entebbe. We’ll head east on a scenic journey towards Mbale, the main town nestled at the foot of Mount Elgon. The drive takes you through the lush Mabira Forest, across the Owen Falls Dam in Jinja—the historic source of the Nile—and past vast sugar and rice plantations. We’ll arrive in Mbale in the afternoon, with plenty of time to check into your hotel, relax, and do a final check of your gear. Tonight is about enjoying a good meal and a comfortable rest before the trek begins.
Overnight: Accommodation in Mbale town.
After an early breakfast in Mbale, we take a short drive to Budadiri, the official starting point of the Sasa Trail. Here, you’ll meet your dedicated guides and porters for a final briefing before starting the climb. Be prepared for a tough but exhilarating first day; the trail is steep and rugged, taking you directly up the mountainside through community farmlands and into the dense forest. It’s a true test of your legs and lungs, but the sense of achievement upon reaching the Sasa River Camp for the night is immense.
Trekking Time: 7-8 hours
Altitude Gained: 1,650m
Overnight: Camping at Sasa River Camp
Today’s hike is shorter and less steep, allowing your body to acclimatize as you enjoy the dramatic changes in scenery. Leaving the dense forest behind, the landscape opens up into a stunning moorland zone dotted with giant heather, lobelias, and other unique afro-alpine plants that feel like something from another world. Your destination is Mude Cave Camp, a campsite nestled in a protected valley where you’ll rest and prepare for the summit push tomorrow.
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Altitude Gained: 600m
Overnight: Camping at Mude Cave Camp
This is the day you’ve been working towards. We’ll start early, walking through the otherworldly high-altitude moorland as the sun rises. The air is thin and crisp as you make the steady ascent towards the caldera rim. From there, the trail leads you around the crater edge to Wagagai Peak, the highest point on Mount Elgon. The 360-degree view across the vast caldera and the plains of Uganda and Kenya below is breathtaking. After soaking in the achievement, you will descend back to Mude Cave Camp for a well-deserved dinner and rest.
Trekking Time: 8-9 hours
Altitude Gained & Lost: 821m
Overnight: Camping at Mude Cave Camp
With tired legs and a full heart, you’ll enjoy a final mountain breakfast before beginning your descent. Following the same Sasa trail, you’ll re-enter the forest and make your way steadily down the mountain. Upon reaching the trailhead at Budadiri, your driver will be waiting to begin the journey back towards Kampala or Entebbe, marking the end of your incredible 5-day mountain adventure.
Embark on a fantastic 5-day adventure to the summit of Mount Elgon, a majestic extinct volcano with the largest intact caldera in the world. This itinerary is perfectly paced, allowing for a comfortable journey to the mountain on the first day, ensuring you are well-rested and ready for the climb.
Your trek follows the Sasa Trail, the most direct route to the summit, offering a challenging and exhilarating experience. You will journey through a rich tapestry of ecosystems—from dense forests to the vast, otherworldly moorlands on the high slopes. Reaching the Wagagai Peak and gazing out across the immense caldera is a moment of pure awe and a true accomplishment.
Your adventure begins this morning as we pick you up from your location in Kampala or Entebbe. We’ll head east on a scenic journey towards Mbale, the main town nestled at the foot of Mount Elgon. The drive takes you through the lush Mabira Forest, across the Owen Falls Dam in Jinja—the historic source of the Nile—and past vast sugar and rice plantations. We’ll arrive in Mbale in the afternoon, with plenty of time to check into your hotel, relax, and do a final check of your gear. Tonight is about enjoying a good meal and a comfortable rest before the trek begins.
Overnight: Accommodation in Mbale town.
After an early breakfast in Mbale, we take a short drive to Budadiri, the official starting point of the Sasa Trail. Here, you’ll meet your dedicated guides and porters for a final briefing before starting the climb. Be prepared for a tough but exhilarating first day; the trail is steep and rugged, taking you directly up the mountainside through community farmlands and into the dense forest. It’s a true test of your legs and lungs, but the sense of achievement upon reaching the Sasa River Camp for the night is immense.
Trekking Time: 7-8 hours
Altitude Gained: 1,650m
Overnight: Camping at Sasa River Camp
Today’s hike is shorter and less steep, allowing your body to acclimatize as you enjoy the dramatic changes in scenery. Leaving the dense forest behind, the landscape opens up into a stunning moorland zone dotted with giant heather, lobelias, and other unique afro-alpine plants that feel like something from another world. Your destination is Mude Cave Camp, a campsite nestled in a protected valley where you’ll rest and prepare for the summit push tomorrow.
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Altitude Gained: 600m
Overnight: Camping at Mude Cave Camp
This is the day you’ve been working towards. We’ll start early, walking through the otherworldly high-altitude moorland as the sun rises. The air is thin and crisp as you make the steady ascent towards the caldera rim. From there, the trail leads you around the crater edge to Wagagai Peak, the highest point on Mount Elgon. The 360-degree view across the vast caldera and the plains of Uganda and Kenya below is breathtaking. After soaking in the achievement, you will descend back to Mude Cave Camp for a well-deserved dinner and rest.
Trekking Time: 8-9 hours
Altitude Gained & Lost: 821m
Overnight: Camping at Mude Cave Camp
With tired legs and a full heart, you’ll enjoy a final mountain breakfast before beginning your descent. Following the same Sasa trail, you’ll re-enter the forest and make your way steadily down the mountain. Upon reaching the trailhead at Budadiri, your driver will be waiting to begin the journey back towards Kampala or Entebbe, marking the end of your incredible 5-day mountain adventure.
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