HIKE ADVENTURES ALONG SIDE CULTURAL TOURS

Mt. Elgon.

This dormant volcanic mountain is located along the Uganda Kenya border in eastern Uganda about 235 kilometers from Kampala city center. With the highest point Wagagai at 4,321 meters above sea level, Mount Elgon is eighth highest on the African continent and has the largest mountain base in the world. The hike to Wagagai takes roughly 3 to 5 days depending on the strength of the hiker, as you move, you will be able to spot the famous magnificent Sipi falls. The mountain is located in the Mount Elgon conservation area and therefore has vast tourist attractions ranging from wild game, birds, monkeys, caves, waterfalls, rock paintings and many others.

The original people of this area are the Benet Ndorobo. When the forest was gazette, the government bought 6000 hectares of land for the forest and the Benet people so as not to misplace them. Presently, a few of these people have remained around the area because most of them sold their pieces of land that the government gave them. Mount Elgon is also a home two other tribes; the Bagisu and the Sabiny.

Mt. Moroto.

The mountain Lies in the extreme east of Uganda and is the most accessible place to see some of the dry northeastern plains, many at the western edge of their ranges here in Karamoja province. One of a chain of volcanoes along the Kenyan border that begins with Mount Elgon in south and includes Mountains Kadam and Morungole, Moroto is a forest reserve protecting a range of habitats from arid thorn savanna to dry montane forest. Although a long hike is required to reach the higher areas, excellent arid thorn savanna and rocky slopes are accessible from the town at the foot of the mountain. The hike to the top of this mountain takes a day, clients always hike to the top and slope the same day. Some tourists spend the night on the mountain and return the following day. There is a cave up on the mountain.

The people of this place are the Tepeth (also known as the ‘So’ people) tribe also living in the western and northern mountains in the region, migrated from the planes when the Karamojong settled in the past. Today they’re agri-pastoralists and cattle is find up to 2500 m. They have a different culture and language than the Karamojong tribe.

Mt. Morungole.

Mount Morungole which is 2,500m high lies partly in Kidepo Valley National Park of Uganda and South Sudan and is home to the Ik-People that have moved to the mountains during the creation of the National Park. Neighboring peaks are Mount Zulia, and the Labwor and Dodoth Hills reach heights in excess of 2,000 meters.

The Morungole hike takes just a day to reach the top, where you will find the Ik people. Originally, the Ik people were hunters and gatherers but when the area was made a national park, they were forced to become subsistence farmers and were forced to extend to the mountains. The Ik people have a great untouched culture and lifestyle where modernity has not yet spoilt. They still use local ways of preparing food for example they grind there nuts with stones.

Mt. Rwenzori.

this snowcapped block mountain is located in western Uganda near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo. This Albertine rift valley mountain is the third largest mountain on the African continent with the highest peak Margherita standing at 5,109 meters above sea level. The hike to the peak takes about 6 to 7 days depending on the strength and fitness of the hikers. Mount Rwenzori has a range of mountains and peaks some of which stretch up to Democratic Republic of Congo. All the high peaks on the Rwenzori above 4,500 meters above sea level have permanent snow with impressive glacial features like glacier lakes, pyramidal peaks, u shaped valleys and many others.

The people living on the foothills of this mountain are the Bakonzo. They are majorly subsistence farmers they commonly grow cassava which is their staple food with fish from the nearby lakes. They carry their luggage on their back and transport them up to the hills where they stay. They are hospitable and friendly people.

Virunga Volcanoes.

The Virunga volcanoes in Uganda are located in south western Uganda comprising of mount Mgahinga at 3,474 meters above sea level, mount Sabyinyo at an elevation of 3,669 meters above sea level and mount Muhavura at 4,127 meters above sea level. The Virunga volcanoes in Uganda are covered with dense vegetation covers and homes to various primate species, the endangered mountain gorillas, various bird species and many other species and therefore hikers are likely to view any of those on their journey.
Strong shoes or boots, a walking stick, a rain coat and pant are highly recommended because of the unpredictable rain falls at any time of the day.

The volcanoes can be accessed after traveling 510 kilometers from Kampala city which is approximately an 8-9 hours using road transport or alternatively using air transport with charter flights from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airfield which fly daily.

The people of Mgahinga are called the Batwa. Originally they are short people but due to intermarriages some of them are now a bit tall. They are majorly fruit gathers and hunter but with the present conservation measures they have been limited on encroaching on the park.