Day 1: Arrive Entebbe
Arrive Entebbe and overnight in a centrally-located hotel.
NB. We can arrange international flights from the UK to Uganda as well as hotel accommodation in Entebbe. Please note that these are not included in our published climb rates.
There are a range of hotels and lodges available to suit different budgets in Entebbe – and in nearby Kampala. Rates start from approx. $60 per room for a simple garden lodge, such as Sunset Entebbe, booked on B&B basis.
Day 2: Transfer to Mbale
After breakfast, meet with your driver and transfer via Jinja to Mbale town. Assuming an early departure from Entebbe, you can expect to be in Mbale in time for a late lunch, with the evening at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at the Mbale Resort Hotel.
Day 3: Start trek on Sasa Trail. To Sasa River Camp.
After breakfast, meet with your driver and transfer approx. 1 hour to the park gates at Budadiri, where you’ll meet with the climb crew for a pre-climb briefing.
After completing the registration formalities at the park gates (please note that park fees of $35 per day, or $105 total, will need to be paid at the gates by credit card before you start your trek) you’ll take a boda boda, or motorcycle taxi, to the trailhead.
Starting from the trailhead above Bugiboni village (1,720m), today’s trek will see you ascend over 1,100m to reach Sasa River Camp (2,860m), where you rest tonight. This first day’s trek is tough, with several steep sections that are navigated via ladders and steps.
The initial part of today’s trail will take you through maize and coffee plantations above Bugiboni village. After climbing approx. 500m, you’ll arrive at the rock face of the escarpment. Here a set of steel staircases have been constructed, which will take you up onto the top of the escarpment – as you climb, you’ll be able to look back over the lower slopes that you have just ascended, and see the many homesteads and small farms.
After ascending the stairs, the gradient levels out, as you follow an easy trail through montane forest (the forest provides good opportunities to spy a variety of bird species and primates!) After approx. 3-4 hours, you’ll reach Sasa River Camp at 2,860m.
At Sasa River Camp, you’ll stay either in newly-constructed huts (as of 2024) or tents.
Day 4: To Mude Cave Camp
Departing Sasa River Camp after an early breakfast, you’ll continue your uphill trek en route to Mude Cave Camp.
Today’s trail is once again steep (and potentially muddy) to begin with, as you tackle a long stretch of bamboo forest, but soon levels out as you enter the alpine heath at approx. 3,250m, a region defined by its giant lobelias and heather trees, and its beautiful wildflowers (particularly between Jun-Sept). The final walk up to Mude Cave Camp (3,500m) is on a comparatively easy trail.
This afternoon, if you are feeling fit, you can walk a further three kilometres to the Dirigana Falls, before returning to Mude Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Summit climb to Wagagai (4,320m)
Depart Mude Camp early this morning and begin the climb to Wagagai, Mt Elgon’s highest peak, at 4,320m. The steep climb will take you via the beautiful Jackson’s Pool (4,050m), overlooked by Jackson’s Peak (4,1560m), and to the rim of the Elgon caldera.
Mt Elgon is a massive caldera – one of the largest fully-intact volcanic calderas in the world – and once you reach its rim you’ll be greeted by spectacular views of the caldera’s vast interior, verdant and green with clear lakes and hot springs. You skirt the caldera rim and slowly climb higher as you approach Wagagai summit, with the interior of the caldera always on your left.
Once at the summit, take the time to rest and enjoy the views – on a clear day, it’s possible to look down the eastern slopes of Mt Elgon and onto the Kenyan plains. Then, when ready, begin the descent back to Mude Cave Camp or to Dirigana River Camp.
Day 6: Descend Mt Elgon and transfer to Mbale
Follow a downward course along the Sasa River and back to the park entrance, arriving late this morning or early afternoon.
After a debrief, you will be met and transferred to Mbale Resort for a well-earned dinner, shower and rest!
Day 7: Transfer to Entebbe for international departure/overnight
Set off early morning for the return transfer to Entebbe, with a lunch stop en route. Your itinerary ends in Entebbe with a transfer to the airport if flying out this evening, or to your hotel if overnighting.
Mt Elgon (Wagagai Peak)
4-day guided climb to Wagagai Peak (4,320m), Mt Elgon, via the Sasa Trail
Mt Elgon (Wagagai Peak)
Situated on the Uganda-Kenya border, Mt Elgon is an often-overlooked East African mountain that can be comfortably climbed in 4 days. This itinerary sees you climb Mt Elgon via the Ugandan side, taking the Sasa Trail to Wagagai Peak at 4,320m. Included in the cost are transfers to/from Entebbe and accommodation before and after the climb in Mbale. Excluded are park fees and accommodation in Entebbe (if required).
Outline Itinerary
Price guide
Price based on two climbers and inclusive of a fully-supported 4-day climb to Wagagai Peak, return Entebbe-Mbale transfer, and accommodation before and after the climb. Please note that price excludes park fees ($105), which are payable locally.
Pricing
7 days from £995pp
Botswana Mobile Camping Safari
The safari was brilliant - it far exceeded our expectations. We can't say enough about our guide Jakes.
