Mount Elgon National Park Kenya
MMount Elgon National Park is a magical park of its own that lies between Uganda and Kenya border area. On Kenya side, this park is in the Northwest of Nairobi, about 470kms. From Kitale, the park is approximately 11kms drive and adjacent to it is the magnificent Saiwa Swamp, National Park. Unlike the Ugandan section, the Kenyan section of Mount Elgon National Park occupies an area of only 169sq.kms.
It takes the name from Mount Elgon which also serves as a major water catchment spot for Nzoia and Turkwel Rivers. This conservancy area was designated as a national park in 1968. Its establishment was primarily to host enormous wildlife species and remarkably, it is also a designated UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.
- Vegetation in Mount Elgon National Park Kenya
The vegetation of Mount Elgon National Park is unique and it is best described based on the park’s altitudinal range. Between 2000 and 2500m, you can find Montane Forest, Mixed bamboo and podocarpus zone ranges between 3000 and 3500 meters, Heath zone can be sighted from 3000-3500m, moorland zone ranges from 3500 to 4321m. The open moorland grassland is dotted with lobelia and giant grounded floral species.
Attractions in Mount Elgon National Park Kenya
- Wildlife
The numerous wildlife species that live in Mount Elgon National Park Kenya include among others elephants, bush pigs, leopards, buffaloes, tree and rock hyraxes, spotted hyenas, antelopes, serval cats, aardvark, primates like the vervet monkeys, de Brazza’s monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons.
Birds
Birds are some of the attractions to explore on Kenya safari in Mount Elgon National Park. This park prides itself as a home to about 300 bird species and they include red-headed parrot, Hartlaub’s Turacos, Luther bush shrike, black-shouldered kite, African blue flycatchers, Baglafetch weavers, Chin spot batis, African goshawk, mustached green tinker bird, Tacazze sunbirds, Jackson’s francolin, red-headed parrot, Chubbs cisticola, white chinned Prinia, alpine chat, cinnamon chested bee-eater, moorland francolin, Lammergeyer.
- Mount Elgon
Mount Elgon is by far one of the incredible attractions to explore on Kenya safari in Mount Elgon National Park. This volcano ranges from 50-80kms making it the largest on planet earth. It is believed to have erupted about 24 million years ago. Besides, you can also visit the Kitum cave where most elephants confine, scenic waterfalls and many others.
Things to do in Mount Elgon National Park
- Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing while on Kenya safari in Mount Elgon National Park involves sighting different wildlife such as elephants, bushbucks, buffaloes, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, primates, numerous birdlife to mention but a few.
- Hiking
This is one of the most thrilling experiences offered to visitors on Kenya safari in Mount Elgon National Park. It allows you to have the best sight at birds, flora, caves, gorges, waterfalls.
Birding
Bird watching in Mount Elgon National Reserve Kenya lets you identify some of the estimated 300 bird species recorded in the park including red-headed parrot, Hartlaub’s Turacos, Luther bush shrike, black-shouldered kite, African blue flycatchers, Baglafetch weavers, Chin spot batis, African goshawk, mustached green tinker bird, Tacazze sunbirds, Jackson’s francolin, red-headed parrot, Chubbs cisticola, white chinned Prinia, alpine chat, cinnamon chested bee-eater, moorland francolin, Lammergeyer
- Guided nature walks
On guided nature walks, nature lovers on Kenya safari in Mount Elgon National Reserve have the opportunity to get close to nature, sight different birds, tree species, flowering plants and have a breathtaking view of the area.
On Kenya safari in Mount Elgon National Park, you can also embark on camping, visit the elephant caves which make up a total of 4-Mikingenyi, Ngwarisha, Chepnyalil, and Kitum.
When to visit Mount Elgon National Reserve
Depending on your travel interest, Mount Elgon National Reserve Kenya is ideal to visit for game viewing or hiking experiences during the dry months of the year that is June, July, August, September, and December, January, February. Bird watching is perfectly carried out during the rainy or low season starting in March, April, May, and October, November.
Accommodation in Mount Elgon National Reserve
The available accommodation options in Mount Elgon National Reserve Kenya include Nyati Campsite, Rongai Public Campsite, Chorlim Campsite (for budget travelers) and Mount Elgon Lodge.
Kenya Mountain Hiking Safari
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